Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-10
\ RUSSIAN ARMADA.
Rctsstvsasky's Huge Fleet Passes Singapore, ,.,-.

SINGAPORE, April 1O.-The Russian Baltic fleet passed here on Saturday afternoon, heading northeastward, and is supposed to be making for Saigon, French Cochin China. A Japanese squadron of twenty-two ships is be- lieved to be off Horsburg light, thirty miles away. "iia a''a'@',' r 9The two fleets may get in touch any moment and begin naval battle upon tle outcome of which the fate of the war may depend. There is great ex- citement here and at Penang in anti cipation of naval combat in Malayan waters.
 Upon hearing of the passage of the Baltic fleet the British China squadron at Hongkong prepared to put to sea.
 Admiral Rojestvensky's squadron of fifty-one vessels was led by three con- verted former Hamburg American line vessels. Then came the cruisers, col Hers, battleships, etc. The colliers were mostly in the center of the fleet. The decks of the warships were coal laden, while the colliers and the former liners were light of draft
 The most important fighting vessels of the squadron, including the battle ships ,Kniaz Souvaroff, Alexander IT., Borodino and Orel, with their compile nent of cruisers, torpedo boat destroy CTS. etc, were not with, the. fleet, and their whereabout is totally unknown.
 Naval experts consider that the fleet must forthwith proceed toward Vladi- vostok, as any stoppage. even within territorial waters, would greatly in- crease the danger of torpedo attacks.
 It is thought by some that Admiral Togo will not choose to give battle till near the coast of Japan.
 The fleet passed seven miles out, pre- ceded by twelve warships. which prob. ably were Admiral Toga's scouts. Nothing is known of Toga's base, but his full fleet must be somewhere in the vicinity.
 The great ships, steaming slowly at eight knots an hour, four abreast, pre- 0ented striking spectacle.
 The vessels, however, bore evidence of the effects of their long sea voyage and at the water line showed seaweed . foot long.
 The Russian consul visited and gave dispatches to torpedo boat.
 The fleet consisted of six battleships, twelve cruisers, eight torpedo boat de. stroyers, three volunteer fleet vessels, sixteen colliers, one salvage ship and one hospital ship and four steamers.
 The fleet did not stop to receive dis patches or to consult with the consul. Subsequently the consul visited Vice Admiral Rojestvensky's ship, talking to him from a launch. He did not board the vessel, but was cheerel heartily on leaving the side of the ship. The consul gave to the fleet news of the fall of Mukden.
 The vessels are burning soft coal, and tremendous smoke was visible for miles. Gangways were not lower- ed, and nobody was permitted on board the vessels. No news was vouch-afed. The only launches allowed to approach the fleet were those of the Russian consul and of the Associated Press. Natives lined the sea front and were greatly excited.
 Artillerymen and submarine miners were kept at their posts all day man. ming the guns and mines. As the fleet did not touch the harbor limits, no sa- lutes were fired. The squadron disap- peared about o'clock in the after noon amid great clouds of smoke on the eastern horizon.