Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-18
NAVAL ACTION NEAR
Popular Expectation Ex-
pressed at Tokyo.
ROJESTVENSKY'S PLANS
REPORTED THAT HE HAS GEN
ERAL PARALYSIS.
Junction of Fleets Reported-Junks
With Provisions for Russian
Fleet Sighted.
ROJESTVENSKY' Y'S PLANS

TOKYO. May 49, noon.-The reported de-
barture of Vice Admiral Rojestvensky from
Hon Koe bay northward renews the popu-
lar expectation of a naval action in the
near future. 1t is believed that Admiral
Rojestvensky having filed his coal bdnkers
end resupplied his fleet, is now in con-
clifton to assume the aggressive If he so
desires. It is the opinion of some that Ro-
jestvcnsky may make demonstration in
the vicinity of the Islands of Formosa and
the Pescadores, and then enter the Pa
cific, en- route for Vladvostok. This is,
however purely speculative. Everything
depends upon Admiral Rojestvensky's
plans. which, while yet undisclosed, may
include an extended stay in southern wa
ters.
1t is reported that the contractors who
supplied the coal and provisions to Ad
miral Roiestvensky in Indo-China waters
approached the French colonial officials
prior to the arrival OF the Russian feet
and arranged rendezvous at kamranh
and Hon Koe hays. Confirmation of this
report is however, not obtalnable.
Rojestvensky to Stay.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 1S.-The fears
expressed here yesterday that owing to the
reported nervous breakdown of Vice Ad-
miral Rojestvensky the Russian fleet in the
in-chief turn out to be unfounded. Capt.
Zilotti, the aid-de-camp of Minister of Ma
rine Avellau, today authorized the state
ment that Rojestvensky has not applied to
be relieved from duty. However the con-
dtion of the Russian admirals health con-
tinues to be source of anxiety
1t is confirmed that the report that he
had applied to be relieved may have arisen
out of the virtual decision, in view of the
condition of Rojestvensky's health, to send
Vice Admiral Bireff TO Vladvostok. where
Birileff. in the event of Rojestvenskys sue
cess in the coming battle will take over the
supreme command of the Russian naval
forces in the far east and occupy post
similar to that of the late Vice Admiral
Makaroff at Port Arthur and of Vice Ad-
miral Skrydloff at Vladivostok.
Emperor Nicholas today summoned Vice
Admiral BirileH to TsarskOe-Selo.
Has General Paralysisp
Special Cablegram to The Star.
PARIS May 1S.-The ST. Petersburg cor
respondent of the Echo de Paris says that
the latest report about Admiral Rojest-
vensky is that he is suffering from gen.
eral paralysis.
Junction Effected.
Special Cablegram The Star.
LONDON. May 1s-A dispatch to a news
agency from Saigon says that junction be-
tween the fleets of Rojestvensky and Me
boSdloI was effected MAY o. OulSlut
territorial waters. Both fleets started for
the open sea on May II. steaming in an
easterly direction. The OTel, Rojestven-
sky's hospital ship, is expected to go to
Shanghai.
Location of Russian Ships.
SINGAPORE, May 1S.-The Russian
fleet was in latitude 1890 north and longi-
tude 111.3O east (about 40 miles north
east of Cape Varella, coast of Annam)
during the morning of May Ii, according TO
a report brought here by the British steam
er Hong Wan 1.
The German steamer Segovia sighted
forty-two Russian ships forty miles from
Cape Varella, May To- steaming slowly
north.
The latitude and longitude in which the
Russian feet reported by the British
steamer Hong Wan l does not indicate that
a naval battle is imminent. The Russians
were on May l6 only about 100 miles from
the coast of AMMAN and apparently head
ing north for the waters of the Island of
Hainan. near which. according to a Hong
Kong date dispatch, 100 junks laden with
provisions We're waiting for the Russian
feet. Even in case Admiral Rojestvensky
decide not TO take these supplies on board
or if the Hong Kong report is incorrect,
the Russian fleet May 16 was still about
I'4l miles from the southern part of the Is
If 4f Tlo.r. t,sax- hnar