The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-04-14
RUSSIAN SQUADRON
Reaches SINGAPORE
CLASH BETWEEN TOGO AND Ro-
JEsTvENsKY MoMENTARILY
EXPECTED.
FLEETS REPORTED ONLY
SHORT DISTANCE APART
Long-Expected Battle for Supremacy
of Sea in the Far East Imminent
The Strength of the Opposing
Forces.

st. Petersburg, April 10.-The adj
miralty late Saturday afternoon re-
ceived official advices from Singapore
confirming the arrival of Rojestvensky's
squadron off that port.
Intense interest was aroused by the
announcement that Admiral Rojest-
vensky's squadron had reached Singa-
pore. All Russia's hopes of changing
the fortune of war are staked upon the
issue with Admiral Togo now at hand,
and for some time the admiralty has
declared that only peace could inter
vene to prevent final trial for the mas
terry of the sea.
Both Fleets Sighted.
Penang, West Coast OF Malay PENN
sula, April 10.-Two steamers which
have arrived at Penang report the
sighting of a large Russian fleet in the
Straits of Malacca. 1t included 25
transports, and was sailing toward
Singapore. The steamer Kumsang re-
ports having sighted II cruisers, pre-
sumably Japanese, steaming some dis
lance ahead, evidently japanese scout
ing squadron. There is much excite
ment here and in Singapore over the an
ticipation of an engagement in Malayan
waters.
Supreme Moment at Hand.
London, April 10.-The long expected
battle between the fleets of Togo and
Rojestvensky, which will carry with it
the control of the sea and settle the fate
of Russia so far as further progress of
the war is concerned, is at hand, and
here and in all the capitals of Europe
news of the outcome is anxiously
awaited.
The battle will be fought in the China
sea. This is more certain by the news
from Singapore that the Russian fleet
has passed that port steering in north
eastward direction. Once in the China
sea, Rojestvensky will have to fight.
His instructions, based on his action in
entering the China sea, show that he
was ordered to make for Vladivostok.
Few believe that this can be accom-.
plished. and the admiralty experts de-
clare he has deliberately entered a
trap from which there can be no es-
cruising in and near the Straits of
Malacca, with scouts covering a wide
range and in constant communication
with him by wireless telegraph and
other means. And it is through suffer
ance, naval experts believe. that battle
has not been given sooner.
Togo's Plan Revealed.
Togo's plan, as interpreted here, indi-
Gates an intention to get behind the Rus
sian fleet when it is once fairly in the
China sea. and then run it down. Ro-
jestvensky's squadron is incapable of
making any speed, as the result of the
long voyage. Their bottoms are foul,
and fast speed is impossible. Togo's
fleet, on the contrary, is in the best pos
sible condition, the boats having been
thoroughly overhauled and cleaned
after the capture of Port Arthur. Be-
kiGes this, Rojestvensky is hampered by
the large number Of Golfers accompany
ing him, and which must be protected at
all hazards.
Togo's fleet, from the best informa-
tion available, is supposed to be off the
northwest coast of Borneo, and in po-
sition to move quickly as strategic ex-
igencies demand.
South from Vladivostok somewhere is
the feet of Admiral Kamimura, which
months ago destroyed the remnants of
the Russian navy in Japanese waters.
Nothing has been heard of his where
abouts, but it is safe to assume that it
is acting in conjunction with Togo and
will be heard from at the proper time.
Comparison of Fleets.
Ship for ship and in weight of metal,
Rojestyensky's fleet is superior Against
this the trained seamanship and bet
ter craftsmanship of the Japanese and
the corps desprit and confidence begot-
ten of long series of victories On
the other hand, the Russians have been
under a constant strain from the mo-
ment of leaving the Baltic seas for the
long journey. The reports about the
numbers of the Russian ships vary, but
at any rate IS battleships, cruisers, col
Tiers and torpedo boats have passed the
port of Singapore. The Japanese squad
ron, reported off Horstburg light March
IA, consists of % ships.
Caution to Ministers.