The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-13
HEADED N. E.
Russian Fleet Was Sighted by
P. & 0. Boat April IL.
FOrty-twO Vessels Counted Nov
ing at Good Speed.
RUSSIANS ADVANCING.
Report Driving Japanese Out of
a Position.
Admiral Togo Is Reported to
Have Five Battleships.
RUSSIANS ADVANCING.

was IN latitude 8 degrees north, Iongi-
tude 10S degrees SIS minutes east at noon
april IL The Peninsular and Oriental
steamer Newbo, which has arrived here,
reports having passed no less than AZ
vessels there. They were steering north
| northeast at q speed of eight or ten
knots.
The position of the fleet was then
about 300 miles north-eastward of the
Natuna islands (Which lie between the
Malay peninsula and the west coast of
Borneo) and more than 200 miles south
east of Cape St. Jacques. This course
| indicates that the fleet was not going to
Saigon, French Cochinchina
Russians Advancing.
st. Petersburg, April ia dispatch
from Gunshu Pass, dated yesterday,
says the Russian advance detachment
on the Mandarin road pushed forward
April IL, and bombarded Machantzy at
Midday The Japanese infantry and
cavalry hurriedly vacated the plain,
leaving their dinners, maps, etc.
TogO's Fighting Strength.
/ London. April 13.-The Daily Tele-
graphs Toxic correspondent this morn
! ing in a comparative statement of the
strength of the fighting fleets of Japan
L
have five battleships. The Daily Tele-
graph considers this disposes of the ru-
NOR that the battleship Yashima was
sunk by a Russian mine off Dalny in
| June last.
! Dispatches from Chefoo in June last,
/ stating that the japanese battleship
YashiTna had been sunk by a mine off
| Dalny were denied bS the japanese, but
dispatch from Paris November to
/ the Associated Press upon high authori-
| ty reports the sinking of the vessel.
May Be Togo.
/ London, April 13.-The correspondent
at Labunan (off the northwest coast Of
/ Borneo) of the Daily Mail says that re-
! ports are current that large fleets have
| been sighted south of Borneo.
May Seize FOrmosa.
st. Petersburg, April 13.-5:5s o.
n.-The news of the northward move
| ment of Admiral Rojestvensky's s
! squadron and his evident intention to
| accept battle whenever Admiral Togo
: chooses to offer it has for the present
/ stilIed all activities in the direction of
! peace and the foreign dispatches re-
4 lating to the voyage of the squadron
are followed with the most intense in
terest.
The admiralty volunteers no infor-
nation regarding Rojestvensky's plans,
whether his immediate destination is
/ or is not Cape Pedarn Con the east
coast of Cochin China), but in naval
4
/ the squadron will continue northWard
| to the straits of Formosa, where If
! Admiral Togo does not elect to give
/ battle or is defeated Admiral ROjest-
vensky may seize a temporary base in
Japanese territory and if it is consid-
/ cred advisable, he could there await
the arrival of Admiral NebogatOffs 5
division.
It is rumored that there is force
of riffemen on board the Russian
| transports which could be landed for
| the purpose of cooperating with
marines in the same fashion that the
United States established a base at
/ Guantanamo. Cuba, in 1898. Other
naval men think that VladivOstok is
the only base the Russian admiral has
/ in view.
There is an embargo on news from
! VladiVOStOk concerning the Russian
cruisers Rossi, Gromobi and Bogatyr
and it is supposed, though the ad-
miralty does not confirm the SuppOsi-
ton, that they have put to sea to ef-
feet a diversion and prevent mine
! laying.
Considerable irritation is manifested
in naval circles at the activity of
British ships in Chinese waters which
are reported to be steaming from
Hong Kong to Singapore and their ac-
ton is attributed to a desire to keep
| in touch with the Russian squadron
and report its movements to the world
at large and to Great Britain'S ally in
I DdEuculdI, as ndpDeHEQ III AAlC NeoG VI
the British armored cruiser SUtlef
which arrived at Singapore. Straits
/ Settlements. yesterday and reported
having passed the Russian second Pa
cif1c squadron at daylight April IL,
Minister of Railroads Hilkoff has
| left st. Petersburg for Siberia to SUI
perintend the improvements being
made on the Transsiberian railroad
and the Inauguration of the river ser
vice in Siberia.
Reinforcing V1adivostoI.
Toxic. April 13.-It is reported
here that the Russians are continually
reinforcing the garrison at VladivOs-
tok and that the work OF strengthen
ing the fortress is constantly progress
ing 1t is said that the plans of the
Russians contemplate garrison num-
bering 100. 000 men with 5OO guns
Many additional batteries, redouols'
barriers and pits are in course OF con-
struction and enormous stores OF am
munitfon are being accumulated.
The Russians it is said, hope to so
equip the fortress that 1t VIII De
capable of withstanding siege.
Must Want a Fight.
London. April 13s-British naval
men comment on the lack OF secrecy
regarding Admiral RoJestvensky'
movements since his arrival in tar
eastern waters. The fact that ne IS
keeping to the main trade route. al
though knowing his squadron would
constantly be sighted and reported by
passing vessels as they continue, clear
Iy shows the Russian admiral IS keen
" anxious to meet Togo and fight it
out TO a finish.
The Raleigh Follows TRojestvensly.
Washington April 13.@The navy
department was advised of the depar-
ture today Of the cruiser Raleigh
from Labuan. on the north coast of
british Borneo. where she was dis
PATCHED by Rear Admiral Train to