The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-18
FLEET SIGHTED.
ROjestvensky Was Seen Moving
NOrthward May Is.
Crew of a German Steamer
Counted 40 Ships.
$50 DEEP LADEN JTTNKS
Are Lying in His Course With
Provisions and Supplies.
st. Petersburg Denies That Her
Admiral Is Breaking Down.

Singapore, May 1S.-The Russian
heet was in latitude 1890 north and
longitude 111.3O east (about 100
miles northeast of Cape VarelIa. coast
OF Annam,) during the morning Of
May 16, according to a report brought
here by the British steamer Hong
wani.
The German steamer Segovia sight
ed forty-two Russian ships forty
miles from Cape varena May IS
steaming slowly north.
Fleet of Junks.
Hong Kong, May 1S.-A special
correspondent who recently proceeded
from here to Kwangchau Bay OBJ
served at II O'Clock at night, May l6,
one hundred and fifty deeply laden
Junks, presumably loaded with pro-
visions for the Russian fleet, anchored
southwest of and twenty miles or
Cape St. John. The junks exhibited
signal lights which were extinguished
on the steamers approach TO Kwang-
chau Bay.
RojestvensI1y's Breakdown Denied.
st. petersburg, May 1S.-The fears
expressed here yesterday that OWNS.
to the reported nervous brea ISdoyyn ~
Vice Admiral Rojestvensky the Rus
sian fleet in the far east would lose its
present commander in chief turned
out to be unfounded.
Captain Zilotti, the aide de camp Of
Minister of Marine AvelIan, today au-
thorized the statement that Rojestven-
sky has not applied to be relieved
from duty. However, the condition Of
the Russian admiraPs health continues
to be source of anxiety. It is con-
frmed that the report that he had an
piled to. be relieved may have arisen
out of the virtual decision in view Of
the condition Of Rojestvensky' health
to send Vice Admiral Birilen to Vladi-
vostok, where Rojestvensky. in the
event of his success in the coming bat
tie, will take over the supreme COM
mand of the Russian naval forces in
the far east and occupy a. post similar
to that of the late Vice Admiral Max
l-aroff at Port Arthur and of Vice Ad-
EnIral SkrydlOh at Wladivostok.
Japan Expects Sea Fight
Toxic, May 18.-The reported depart
ure of Vice Admiral Rojestvensky from
Hon-koe bay northward renews the
popular expectation of a naval action
in the near future. 1t is believed that
Admiral Rojestvensky has filed his coal
bun1ers and resupplIed his fleet, is now
in a condition to assume the aggressive,
/ if he so desires. It is the opinion of
some that Rojestvensky may make a
| demonstration in the vicinity of the is
! lands of Formosa and the Pescadores
and that enter the Pacific en- route for
| Vladivostok. This, however, is purely
! speculative. Everything uepeIlS upon
| Admiral ROjestVensky's plans which,
/ while as vet undisclosed, may include
an extended stay in southern waters.
It is reported that the contractors
who supplied the coal and provisions 20
Admiral Rojestvensky in Indo-Chinaa
waters. approached the French colonial
/ officials prior to the arrival of the Rus
sian feet, and arranged a rendezvous
4 at Kamranh and Hon-Koe bays. Con-
frmation of this report is. however, not
| obtainable.
Fleets United May
Saigon, May 1S.-A junction was af-
! fected May by the squadrons of Vice
Admiral Roiestvensky and Rear Ad-
miraI Nebogatof. It took place out
side territorial waters.
The vessels started seaward May IA,
going to an easterly direction.
Plague Breaks Out at Harbin.
London. May 18.-According to the
CORRESPONDENT at Toxic Of the Daily
TELEGRAPH a severe epidemic OF the
plague has broken out at t4arbin and
the deaths resulting therefrom average
300 daily.