Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-04-13
GREAT NAVAL
BATTLE SOON.
RUSSIAN PACIFIC FLEET EN-
TERS CHINA SEA.

Passed Singapore Last Saturday and
Anchored Sunday $50 Miles North
east Heavy 8attleships Missing,
Probably Taking Another Route
Japanese Fully Informed and viii
Strike When Hour is Ripe --Much
Mystery in All Movements.--F1ost
Fleets Are About Equal in Strength.
Interest in the Eastern war has once
more shifted from land 10 sea. There are
no military Developments the past week.
except that both sides are drawing heavy
reinforcements. Japan will have million
men in Manchuria this summer and 7O0,-
600 OF them on the fighting line.
The Russian Pacific fleet, or at least the
greater part of il, has passed from the In
dian Ocean to the China Sea, and is thus
within the zone where il may meet the
japanese feet and great naval battle be
fought at any time. The Russian fleet
passed Singapore last Saturday in the day
time, having made the trip through the
narrow Malacca Straits in safety. II was
at first supposed that Roiestvensky's
whole fleet went through, but later il ap-
peared that several OF his heaviest battle
ships and some Of the destroyers were not
with tins fleet, and speculation Is rife as 10
their whereabouts. IL is generally be-
lieved that Rojestvensky has taken his
strongest fighting squadron further south
and will try to enter the Pacific seas
through straits in that direction, and will
then attempt 10 reunite with the first di-
vision. What the purpose is, or what the
result, no one knows.
Fifty-one vessels were in the division
that passed Singapore, about eight miles
off harbor, making an imposing sight.
The nnaafar a1VagIl went and
ferred with the admiral. He first informed
the fleet Of the fall OF Mukden. II is pre-
sumed that he delivered and received de-
spatches. Many Of the passing ships were
colliers. that stood high in the water,
while the warships, with their decks heav-
lily laden with coal, stood low. The bot
toms Of the ships were foul. due to their
long voyage, and seaweed a foot long
swung from the waterlines. The fleet was
reported next day at anchor $50 miles
northeast of Singapore, near a group OF
islands in the China Sea.
The movements of the japanese squad
rons are even more mysterious. Reports
have come from many localities OF ships
on picket, waiting to get in touch with
the advancing foe, and to report his com
ing by wireless TO other ships, who would !
carry it to Togo. Where the main Japa-
nese feet is or how strong the world does
not know. Naval experts think Togo viii
not attack the Russians until they APP
proach at least as far as Formosa, so that,
IL any Japanese ships are injured they VIII
be near home port and repair yards,
while the enemy viii be without possible
refuge. They think he viii try TO worry
the Russians with torpedo attacks, and
pick OF as many heavy ships as he can
before the big battle comes.
The Russians have three or four cruisers
and number Of torpedo boats at Nladi.
vostok in good condition and Will doubt
less try to use them, either 10 unite with
the large fleet or TO create diversion that
will keep some Of rogo's ships busy. The last
Russian squadron is some three weeks
sail behind Rojestyensky, but may come
up in time to play an important part. Il
mum bers several battleships and cruisers. I
On paper. the available Russian and
Japanese fleets seem about equally
matched. Rojestvensky has more battle
ships, but those OF Togo are most of them
larger Togo is superior to his foe In 4
armored cruisers, while the Russians are
stronger in protected and auxiliary cruis-
ers. In torpedo boats the japanese lead.