Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-11
Over Destination of Admiral
Rojestvensky's Fleet.
STEAMING FOR SAIGON
REPORTED THAT SHIPS ARE
HEADED FOR CoCHIN-CHINA.
Where a Juncture With Division of
Warships Will Be effected-Jap-
anese Observation-Vlad

ST. PETERSBURG, April II, 80 pm
Whether Vice-Admiral Rojestvensky's
battleshp division passed through the
Straits of Sunda or the Straits of Malacca
1t is practically certain now that he is
moving to effect a juncture with the di-
vision which passed Singapore April g.
1t is possible that this may not take
place until the two divisions reach Cape
Padaran, on the east coast of Cochin,
China.
The dispatches from Singapore, naming
the ships which passed there Saturday,
are erroneous in several particulars, no
tably in the case of the Furst Bismarck,
rechristened the Don, which is still at
Libau.
The cruiser Russ was fitted with a cap
tive balloon for observation purposes, and
though she left originally with Roojest-
vensky. at trial off Gothland the rope
connecting the balloon with the ship parted
and the balloon was lost. The Russ conse-
uuently was compelled to return. Later
She went out with Admiral Botrovskys di-
vision.
Japanese Observation.
According to the admralty's in forna-
tlon the Japanese have had an observation
squadron in the waters off Labuan, British
Borneo, where they took the same advan-
tege of British neutrality as ROjestvensky
did of French neutrality at Madagascar,
and this squadron is believed to have benn
summoned by Japanese scouts too remain
in touch with the Russians until they go
north to the Straits of Formosa. where, 1t
Is believed here, a battle will occur
Considering the vital nature of the issue
the admiralty is inclined to think that Ad-
miral Togo will not dare to send ships to
Nladivostok or leave vessels behind him to
cope with the Russian vessels at that port
and that the Japanese coasts and the trans
port feet will practically have to shift for
themselves until the naval battle is fought
The principal coast cities of Japan are
well protected by Notifications, and the
Russian cruisers at VladivOstok. not being
heavily armored, could not attack them
but havoc could be created among the jap
anese transports and commercial ships.
So far as ascertainable Rojestvensky has
no intention of putting into Saigon, the en-
transe to that port being narrow but ii is
believed he will remain in the open sea.
Admiralty Satisfied.
1t is learned that the Russian ships have
on board patent appliances consisting of
steel brushes attached to sort of belly
hand, which. running under the vessel can
be used quite effectively to clean the bot
tom. The speed of waTships in this way,
it is calculated, can be increased at least
knot.
The admiralty is greatly gratiied at the
speed developed by the squadron while
steaming across the Indian ocean, which is
officially figured at nine insted of eight
knots. as the ships made a detour north
ward in the direction of Jibutil in order to
create the initial impression that they in
tended to join Admiral Nebogatof's 6 divi-
sion. Naval men here consider that the
speed attained with such a heterogeneous
squadron is a remarkable feat and a shin
ing testimonial to RojestvenSkys capacity
The admiralty is not harboring any deu-
sions on the score of the opinions of for
eign experts based upon the theory that
Togo's ships are armed with guns which
were worn out at Port Arthur, as the Off
cials here know that there have been heavy
shipments of guns from England during
the past few months.
Reported Bound for Saigon.
NEW YORK, April ia cableeram
from Paris says:
The st. Petersburg correspondent of the
Petit Journal wires that IT is stated that
Admiral Rojestvensky's intention is TO
reach Saigon French Cochin China where
there is a large dry dock in order to ef
rect urgent repairs and await the arrival
OF Admiral Negobatoff's squadron now on
It's way from Jibutil. and. perhaps, even
the arrival of the Black sea fleet.
Bourse Prices Rise.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 1.-THE ap-
pgarance OF the Russian squadron in the
China Sea was reflected on the Bourse to-
DAY by rise in imperial As to s5]2
No Warships at Muntok.
SINGAPORE, Straits Settlements, April
ia telegram from Batavia, Java. today
says there are no Russian warshjns ar
Muntok, Island of Banka, near which pIace
1t was reported yesterday a Russian souad-
ron had been sighted.