The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-25
EXPECTS A FIGHT.
Head Of Russian Admiralty Says
Rojestyensky's Fleet
is Steaming NOrthWard to Meet
the Japanese.
TOGO CAN'T AFFORD 1T.
Would Not Do to. Let Russians
Reach YladiYOstOk.
CncOnfrmed RumOr Of Battle
Comes From Manila.

st. Petersburg, May 25.-Admiral
Avellan. head of the Russian admiralty
department, confirms the Associated
Press dispatches saying Vice Admiral
Rojestvensky is steaming north to give
battle to Admiral Togo He considers
1t possible that news that the two fleets
have met may be received any day. In
an interesting interview Admiral Avel-
Ian reanirms the official denial of the
reports that ROjestvensky has broken
down and asked to be relieved. Avellan
says Rojestvensky sent detailed reports of
the condition of his own health and of
the health of the crews of his ships.
The constant tension and hard work Of
the past few months have been a great
strain to Admiral Rojesvensky' s
health
Even before he left said Avenan,
s'Rojestvensky was a sufferer from kid
ney trouble, but his health is no worse
His reports breathe a spirit of strength,
resoluteness and confidence and other
reports show he has inspired his crews
with the confidence of their commander
AS a matter of fact it is not Rojest-
venszy but Vice Admiral Voelkersam
who has suffered from the long stay in
the tropics The appointment of Vice
Admiral Birileff as successor to Vice
Admiral SkTydloff al NlaGivOstOk will
ia no wise affect Rojestvensky's status.
The Iatter's mission as chief of the fleet
is to take it to Vladivostok There will
be no antagOnism when he gets there
The two admirals are on excellent terms
which began long ago when Rojest-
venslky served under Birileff. Both are
Iron disctplinariaus and ROjestvenslSy
win give his superior the same Obed-
1ence that he demands of his subordi-
mates"
do you anticipate a sea fight soon o.
the admiral was asked He replied:
Certainly. The japanese cannot
afford to allow ROjestvenSky to reach
FIadivOstOk without an engagement.
I personally expect it to take place in
the near future, though I admit the
admiralty knows nothing of Rojest-
vensky's strategy or plans, the en-
peror having ac- 1rded him complete
freedom of action. Possibly it is his
present purpose to seek Admiral
Togo and force fight, but it is more
probable that Rojestvensky is bound
Tor his base at VladivostOk. However,
I can say nothing definite on this
point"
NO More Port Arthurs.
In response to suggestion that
Togo might Intentionally allow RO-
5estvensky to get to Vladivostok. con-
tenting himself with torpedo attacks
while the Russians are on their way
there, and then try to bottle Rojest-
vensky up in Vladivostok Admiral
Avellan smiled and said.
1.-THE story of Port Arthur will not
be repeated Rojestvenslzv is not the
kind of man to allow himself to be
locked up in a port. If he gets t.
VladivostOk he will not rest on his
laureIs but Will seek an engagement
He viii try to Wrest the mastery o.
the sea from Togo. There are many
ways to lombard one of the coas
cities to force Togo to appear in it
defense
Admiral Avellan repudiated the re
ports that number OF chartered col
Tiers sent to Vladivostok We're cap
tured by the Japanese owing to tn
connivance of their captains, wht
arranged to receive half the price o
their cargoes for betraying their rout
and time of departure. The admira
explains that the Golfers were los
through delay in the receipt of order
Gelegraphed to them by the admiralt,
to go to NladivostOk by way of Il
Perouse straits instead of through tn
straits of Korea. Two of these vessel
which passed through La Porous
straits arrived safely at VIadivostok
A private letter from the commando
of one OF Rojestvensky's torpedo boa
destroyers mailed at Saigon describe
the fleets passage Of the Indian OceaI
The writer says the hard work fe
on the light cruisers and torpedo boa
destrovers under Vice Admiral Enquis
which were constantly scouting ahea