Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-15
A BATTLE?
Russian Hospital Ship
0reI Put Into Saigon
Japan Navy Department Denies Any
Engagement.

It turns out that there has been no
naval battle between the Russian and
japanese fleets. According to British
cruisers and merchant steamers arrlV-
ing at Singapore, ROjestvensky Is con-
tinuinE on mis- course with his entire
fleet, steering north northeast toward
FOrmosa. His present position indicates
that he has no intention CT touching at
Saigon, French Indo China. though ne
may send his employ Golfers there Tor
safety. At the rate Of speed the Rus
slams have been sailing their fleet snouiu
now be in about the latitude OF Mania,
about 400 miles west Of that city, ana
Only about $50 miles south OF Formosa,
the probable scene Of the first battle
This collision seems likely to occur
Saturday, Sunday or Monday, accord
Ing m the amount Ct manOeuvring
which takes place.
The direct course that Rojestvensl'y
ia taking and the entire absence OF all
attempt at concealment indicates that
the Russian commander is seeking not
awaiting battle. Togo with his scouts
thrown out far in advance undoubted-
Nv is covering the FOrmosa channel be-
tween the island Of Formosa and the
mainland of China and Bashee and
Ballintang channels. between the SOUTH
ern end Of FOrmOsa and the island OF
Luzon of the Philippine archipelago.
Formosa strait is less than 100 miles
wide; Bashee channel less than 10 and
Ballintang under 200 miles wide. All Of
these channels are crowded with is
lands, and the spaces left for Rojest-
versky 10 force a passage through eth
er 10 the north or east ale limited.
Should Rojestvensky. eluding the
Japanese. gain the waters of the Paci-
fc he probably would try to reach
Vladiyostok by way of La Perouse
strait. a narrow waterway between the
northernmost Japanese island and SAX
halir. or by the gulf CT Tartary north
OF Sakhalin.
From Singapore to Viadivostok in a
straight line is $500 miles. but the
course the Russians would have to fol-
low would greatly increase the distance.
Strategically as well as tactically, the
japanese have the advantage.
Just how far Togo will have to weak
en- his fleet to provide against an attack
in his rear by the VladivostOk squadron
cannot be known until the fighting
strength Of this Russian aggregation Is
given. Report has given the Russians
four Ct uisers IL torpedo craft and eiSht
sutma rines. Two of these cruisers are
armored and Of high speed. To prevent
this feet from leaving Vladivostok. Jap
an must blockade the port with vessels
of at least equal capacity. The Paris
Mathis story to the effec: that Russia
has 10000 tons of coal at Saigon and
$1,000 tons at Shanghai should be taken
with a very large dose of salt. One ham
dred and twtnty thousand tons of coal
Is quite a pile and in excess of the ca
pacity of Rojestvensky's ships to
handle. 1t would have taken great
many steamers to have carried this
supply East and it would have attract
Ell attention before This.
Manila, April 14.-Rear Admiral Tram
in command of the American fleet in
Asiatic waters received telegram at J
O'Clock Friday afternoon from Saigon
the capital and principal port of French
Cochin China, reporting the arrival
there of the Russian hospital ship Orel
at O'Clock on the morning Of April IL
The Orel had many wounded on
board.
A dispatch received on Thursday by
the Chicago Daily News from its cor
respondent at Saigon said:
"Rojestvensky's ship arrived here
Wednesday night to take on board pro-
visions. coal and medicines. 1t will
leave Thursday at midday to rejoin the
main squadron"
No mention was made Of wounded
men aboard this ship.