Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-10
FLEET SAILS.
The Russian Squadron to
Meet Japanese Fleet.
Rojestvensky's Fleet Carrying
All Russia's Hope.
Future Policy Of the War To Be De.
cide.d in Naval Battle.

Singapore, Straits Settlements.
April S.-The Russian Baltic squadron
passed here at $50 o'clock this after
noon. The a ships steaming slowly at
eight knots an hour. four abreast, pre-
scented striking spectacle.
The vessels. however. bore evidence
Of the effects of their long sea voyage
and at the water line showed seaweed
a foot long.
The squadron was led by large
cruiser, followed by three former Ham
burg American line vessels converted
into scout cruisers.
Then came the armored cruisers, COL
liers, battleships. etc. The GOLFERS were
mostly in the center of the fleet.
The decks of the warships were coal
| laden, while the GOLFERS and the former
Hamburg american liners were light of
| draft.
The fleet passed seven miles out.
The Russian consul visited and gave
dispatches to torpedo boat
The fleet consisted of six battleships
rine cruisers. eight torpedo boat de-
stroyers. three volunteer fleet vessels,
16 GOLFERS. one salvage ship and one
hospital ship and three Hamburg
American liners.
The fleet did not stop to receive dis
patches or to consult with the consul
Subsequently the consul visited Vice
Admiral Rojestvensky's ship talking
to him from a launch.
He did not leave the vessel, but was
cheered heartily on leaving the side OF
the snip. The consul gave to the fleet
the first news of the fall of Mukden.
The vessels are burning soft coal and
tremendous smoke is visible for miles
GangHays were not lowered and nobody
vas permitted on board the vessels. No
news was vOuchsafed.
The only launches allowed to an
rroach the fleet were those Of the Rus
sian consul and of the Associated Press
Natives lined the sea front and were
greatly excited.
Artillerymen and submarine miners
were kept at their posts all day man
ming the guns and mines. AS the fleet
cid not touch the harbor limits no
salutes were fired.
The squadron disappeared about S
O'Clock in the afternoon still smoking
flack on the eastern horizon.
Chicago. April 8.-A special from
Singapore to the Daily News says:
Admiral ROjestvensy's fleet. which
passed this port at p. NJ, today. was
about seven miles off land and afforded
a magnificent spectacle.
"They steamed along four abreast. an
armored cruiser and three Hamburg
American transports leading.
Cruisers. battleships, Golfers and n
hospital ship followed. The fleet made
no stop The Russian consul, Roudan-
ovsky. spoke to one Of the torpedo
boats and to the flagship of the Vice
admiral. The vice admiral offered no
information as to the feet or its in-
tentiOns.
Streaming at the rate Of eight knots
an hour 1t took SIS minutes for the
whole iieet to pass a given point 1t
was very evident that the ships hulls
We're exceedingly foul. Long grass
streamed from them, and the vessels
seemed unfit for fast maneuvering. The
crews Of the various ships heartily
cheered Consul Roudanovsky.
The fleet was made up of six battle
ships, seven cruisers. seven torpedo
boats, three transports. 16 Golfers. one
salvage ship and one hospital ship"
st Petersburg, April 10.-n24 40 a. MI
There is reason to believe that Vice Ad-
mral Rojestvensky's entrance into the
China sea has been followed by orders
for the cruisers GrOmoboi. Rossia and
Eoeayr. which have been ready for some
time Mt Viadivostok. to put to sea.
Whether 1t is the intention to send them
south Immediately or to hold them in the
vicinity of vladivostok is not known.
Chair ANNA IN pca o,,foido tho rOodofood
of Vladvostok would constitute a power
full threat against Admiral Togo's rear.
which will compel the retention In or
dispatch Of a number Of heavy fighting
ships to japanese waters. Thus Admiral
Togo seems to be virtually placed be-
tween two fires.
The peace influences in the government
urge that this favorable treategic posi-.
ton presents the psychological moment
CONTINUED on Page Two.)