Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-18
AWAIT NEWS OF
NAVAL CONFLICT
ST. PETERSBURG ON EDGE OF
EXPECTATION
LAND BATTLE ALSO IMMINENT
Rumored Request Of RoJestvensky to
Be Relieved Diseredited and
Neboeatoff's Squadron Be-
lieved In Good Condition
Bv Associated press.

BY Associated Press.
ST. PETERSBURG. May 1S-With a
suspicious stoppage of dispatches from
Manchura and a strong possibility that
Vice Admiral Rojestvensky has cut his
last communications with home and set
forth on the final stage of his journey
to his goal, whether that be Togo or
Vladivostok, keen interest is manifested
in naval and military circles here as to
the twofold field of war.
Though the admiralty, which has
been completely silent since the advent
of Roiestvensky in the Chinese sea,
publishes no dispatches, the conviction
grows that the united squadrons, as in
dicated by the Associated Press on
MAY Is, departed from the AMMAN coast
Immediately after their juncture, and
naval officials are anxIously expecting
news of the first skirmishes between
scouts of the hostile fleets The AS
sociated Press correspondent, on MS
visits to naval officials yesterday to In
vestigate the rumor that Vice Admiral
Roiestvenskys health had been brok-
en- down, was repeatedly and ener-
getically questioned for the latest in
formation through press dispatches
which were declared to be better
source of news than is the admiralty.
Cant. Clado confirmed the statement
Of the Associated Press that the vessels
OF both squadrons are equipped with
apparatus for cleaning their bottoms at
sea. He said it was entirely possible
for Vice Admiral Nebogatoff to have
nut the last finishing touches to the YES
sells of his division during the myster-
ious interval when they were lost to
sight before passing the straits of
Malacca.
RoIestvensky's Rumored Retirement
Neither the admiralty nor individual
officers have any information regarding
the rumored request of Vice Admiral
Roiestvensky to be relieved, and all
who were questioned regarding the re-
port expressed doubt of its accuracy. It
was pointed out that it would be en-
tirely in.Sracticable for the fleet to de-
lay in the Chinese sea until the arrival
of Vice Admiral Biriloff and it was de-
clared that Rojestvensky will keep his
flag flying as long as he is not utterly
incapacitated. Should that happen the
command would naturally devolve upon
Vice Admiral Voelkersam, who is
known as an officer of Teutonic thor
oughness and attention to the fine de-
tails of his profession. He is also a
notable strategist and theorist.
The Associated Press was informed
late last night that Vice Admiral Biri
loft will be sent to Vladivostok and
this possibly accounts for the rumor
of Rojestvenskys request to be re-
lieved of his command.
Great Battle in Prospect
On the military side the indications
are that events are rapidly shaping
for the preliminary stage of another
great battle. The Russian army has
been reftted and is ready for action,
and it is asserted that Gen. Linevitch
is not the man to waste days in mac
ton.
A further mobilization of cavalry in
cne or two districts was ordered today
but no large draft is required, as re-
Inducements for the cavalry arm are
at hand in the recently embodied Cos
sacks. whose departure for Manchuria
was postponed in anticipation of May
day troubles
A small but important detachment
will leave S.. Petersburg today to join
Gen. Linevitch's army.