Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-04-27
FIRST GUN OF
BATTLE FIRED
Heavy Cannonading Is Heard
Soon After Russians
Sailed.
SUPPOSED THEY OPENED FIRE.
Rojestvensky's Squadron Sailed From
Kamranh Bay at Midnight and Fir
ing Was Heard, Giving Rise to
Theory of Torpedo Attack BY Japs

/ W fos pew sNttoSN ~ GoPS
Saigon, French Cochin China, April
24.-The complete Russian fleet
left Kamranh bay on April % at mid.
day. At night. heavy cannonaiing
was heard out at sea. 1t is supposed
the Russian fleet was engaged with a
portion of the Japanese squadron.
Before the departure Of the squad
ron, Vice Admiral Rojestvensky Wis.
tied Admiral Jonquieres.
No Russian officer or sailor landed
from the fleet in Kamranh bay. They
had expected Nebagotoff's detachment
of the squadron to arrive at any
moment.
The natives were highly pleased
with the great rise in the price of
provisions, owing to the Russians
visit.
Paris, April 2f.-The minister of
colonies officially confirms the report
of the departure of the Russian
squadron from Kamranh bay. The
Russian admiral, previous to his de-
parture, called on Admiral Jonquieres.
The meeting of the two admirals was
most cordial.
A dispatch from Saigon to the
Temps reports that the Russian fleet
when outside of Kamranh bay opened
a heavy cannonading, probably upon
| Japanese scouts.
The Russian transports Kiel, Jup-
| tier, Kniaz GortschaFoff and Kital
are still at Saigon, the dispatch adds.
A private dispatch from Saigon
states that Vice Admiral Rojestven-
sky is suffering from dysentery, but
| otherwise the officers and men of
the feet are in the best of health.
Paris. Arril 23.-The French gov
eminent has been officially Informed
that Vice Admiral Roiestvenskys
| squadron left Kamranh bay yester-
day. The destination of the squad
ron is unknown.
Manila. Arril 23--The Japanese
| consul, Martha sGoro, has. it is re-
! ported. received a cablegram ad.
| dressed to Vie Admiral Kamamura
| 1t is inferred from this that Vice Ad-
miral Kamamura is about to make
| call at this port.
Manila, April 23-Narita Goro,
the Japanese consul here, has re-
ceived a telegram announcing that
| Admiral TogO's squadron will assem-.
BILE south of Formosa.
Paris. April 23.-Oficials here
maintain that the gravity OF the
Frapco-Japanese issue over neutral.
fly has been considerably relieved
| by the vigorous measures which
France adopted. Emperor Nicholas
orders to Vice Admiral Rojestvensky
| to leave French waters are the di
rect result. To have the emperor
give a decided order, it is held here,
! signifies that such order must be
obeyed, whereas Vice Admiral Ro
discretion as to observing orders
emanating from the Russian admir-
atty concerning French waters off
| the coast of Madagascar. 1t is the
official application of the order that
the departure of the squadron should
| occur yesterday. However, it is rec
ognized that delays might occur in
getting the emperor's orders to
Rojestvensky, as it took four days
for Rojestvensky's last telegram to
reach st. Petersburg. This is due
to the remote and desolate character
of Kamranh bay.
therefore,, Kamranh bay has been
an unknown spot. although an adj
venturOus Frenchman, the MarGuis
de Munville, has established a small
colony there.
The Journal des Debats publishes
long editorial on the .(FrancO-Jap
anese incident, which says: while
Japan's anxiety is naturally great
over the approach of the Russian
squadron, yet japanese public opin.
ion seems to have given proof of
too much emotion and sensitiveness.
The facts concerning the presence of
the Russian squadron in Kamranh
bay have not been exactly known,
and nothing indicated our intention
to disregard known facts. Neverthe-
less, Japan shows great public effer-
vescence. The Japanese press COM
ments freely and public meetings have
been organized to denounce our sup
posed hostile attitude toward Japan.
1t is surprising that such things
should occur in country where one
hardly expects to see street opinion
substituted for diplomacy"
The general tone of press comment
here is mild with a few unimportant
exceptions, such as last nights issue
of the irresponsible Patrie, which
mF. es q violent attack upon Japan.