Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-24
ROjestvensky's Squadron
of Fifty Vessels Last
Seen Going North.
MAY NOT RISK BATTLE
Stories of Movement to End
War at ST. Petersburg
Are Unconfirmed.

ST. Petersburg. April 24.-Myster-
ious rumors that another attempt at
circulating in high quarters and the
United States is directly mentioned as
Intermediary. The Associated Press
has not been able to obtain any con
fiTmation of the reports. No intima-
ton Of such a move has reached the
American embassy. At the foreign Of
fee this afternoon an official inquired
perhaps significantly. when Roosevelt
would return to Washington.
Lenye Kamranh hay.
Kamranh Bay. Indi-China. Via Sal
gon. April 24-The Russian squadron,
consisting of 80 ships. includ lg trans
ports. left Kamranh bay at nt IN April
22. and the main portion sOci disap-
peared in Il northerly direction. Six
teen vessels-the Russian cruiser
Svietlana. hospital ship Orel. four Ger
man transports. seven Danish trans
ports and three Russian transports-re-
mained in the Offing.
Heard Firing.
Fisherman and others assert they
heard heavy cannonading off Kamranh
bay during the evening of the 22nd
Those who saw Rojestvensky prior
To his departure say he is suffering
from dysentery accompanied by severe
pains All officers and crews of the
Russian ships appeared to be full Of
confidence.
VIII Avoid Immediate Hattie.
II is believed here it is Rojestven-
sky's intention to do everything pOssi-
BILE to have Admiral Nebogatoff join
him before undertaking a decisive bat
tie. A torpedo boat destroyer is pa
trolling the coast.
The French cruiser Descartes left
here Saturday a6ernoon for a point on
the coast where a fisherman reports he
saw 20 warships, The man was una
BILE to give their nationality.
See Weakness in ships.
Although the Russian crews are con
fdent of victory independent observ-
ers who got near enough to RojeStven-
sky's warships to be able to inspect
them were not unanimous regarding
the efficiency of the squadron.
Watching with Interest.
Toxic. April 24.-Information is
keenly awaited regarding the move
ments of Rojestvensky's squadron. II
Is generally believed it will either con-
tinue north from Kamranh bay until
they reach Chinese waters outside of
the territorial limit or enter the Pa
cific ocean.
Expected In Philippines.
Washington. April 24.-The cruiser
Raleigh. which some days ago sailed
from Labuan. BorneO. for Cuyos island
in the Philippines. has arrived at Ca
vile. Ii is assumed here the Raleigh :
captain had reason to believe some
ships of the hostile fleets might enter
Philippine waters in the vicinity of
Cuyos islands. and was sent there for
"A cruise for the pur eoSe of observa-
tion
GunboaI Also out.
The navy department is advis,, the
gunboat Vfllalobos has sailed from
Shanghai for a cruise. II is believed
her mission is TO observe the move
ments of the hostile fleets in the event
they might turn toward Philappine wa
ters.
Manila. April 24.-Three warships
are now of Corregidor island. Ii is
supposed here that they are Japanese
vessels and that Rear Admiral Nashi'
Ia is hour expecting the arrival of
Vice Admiral Kamimura.
CannonadinE at sea.
Saigon. April 24-Following the de
parture of the entire Russian fleet from
Kamranh bay yesterday. heavy can
nonading was heard at sea. Ii is sup
posed Admiral Rojestvensky's squad
ION was engaged with some OF the Jap
anese warships.
Ii is believed here that the Russian
commander encountered one or more
Of Togo'S scouts and that the prelim
mary round in the great sea fight which
is impending was the result
The report that Admiral Togo viii
assemble his feet south Of the lslanC
of FormoSa on April &c is interpreted
TO mean thar the decisive action vii
be in that vicinity and that Il canno
be postponed long
French Cruisers Ordered Fast
Paris. April 24.-The foreign ofdct
and other government departments ar,