Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-29
LAST HOPE Of RUSSIA

Port Arthur. Admiral Rojestvensky and mis-
division anchored in Antongil bay, on the
northeast coast of MAZDA gascar, while the
second squadron, under Rear Admiral Foel-
kersome, arrived in Passandava bay. on the
northwestern coast of this island. The lat
ter squadron, after passing through the
Suez canal, sailed from Fibutil, French
Somalland, on December 10.
Although informed of the fall of Port Ar
thur Admiral Rojestvensky remained in
Madagascar waters during January and
cupied this time by training his men as to
the handling of the ships and at target
practice. Heavy gun firing was constantly
heard. The Russians obtained coal and pro-
visions in great quantities while cruising
about the northern end of the island. Col
Tiers came and went and returned again
with coal for the fleet.
a Paris report on March announced the
departure of the fleet for Jibutil, French
Somaliland. The next definite information
of the fleet was when It appeared off Sin
gapore, in the Straits Settlements, on
April y.
ranh bay, French Indo-China, where every
facility was given to his fleet. Golfers and
transports met the ships, and every coal
bunker was filled. The Russians remained
at this port for ten days, and made no at
tempt TO conceal that they were reftting.
The French made no protests, and after the
feet had completed refittng the French
admiral, De Tonquireres, ordered 1t to put
to sea. The order was obeyed, but immedi-
ately on the departure of the French war
ship the Russian fleet put back into KAN
ranh bay.
AS late as April q Russian ships were
coaling and reftting in Kamranh bay.
Admiral Rojestvensky's ffty-two vessels
were next reported on April "a. fifteen miles
eff the coast of AMMAN, headed for the
Island of Hainan, the southernmost portion
of the Chinese empire 400 miles from KAN
ranh bay. Here they awaited the arrival of
Admiral Nebogatoffs squadron, which had
been sent to reinforce them. This latter
squadron consisted of four battle ships. one
armored cruiser and two auxiliary cruisers.
Russian Fleets United.
Admiral Nebogatoff's squadron passed
Singapore on May ). within five days sail
of Rojestvenskys rendezvous 1t Joined
Admiral Rojestvensky on May o. In the
China Sea, off the coast of AMMAN, where
the latter had been cruising for several
days. Before the juncture and after a four
days cruise, Rojestvensky's fleet had re-
| turned to the coast of French Indo-China
but Admiral Tonqureres, commanding the
french Asatic station, reported officially
that the Russians had gone
On May IL Admiral Rojestvensky divided
his fleet into four squadrons; the battle
! SHIPS unoer the command of Vice Admiral
foelkcrsam: heavy cruisers under the com-
| mand of Rear Admiral Enquist: light cruis-
ers under Rear Admiral NebogatofY and the
Botrovsky. His entire fleet was reported
off Honkohe bay. in French Indo-China, al
| though De Tonquireres had positively stated
| on the day before that the Russians had
| left.
The Russians apparently remained along
| the coast of French Indo-China until May
y, when Rojestvensky made a rush
| through Ballingtang channel north of the
| Philippine Islands, into the Pacific ocean,
| instead of through the narrow Strait of For
| mosa, which is probably mined.
Reaching the Pacific ocean, RoJestven-
| sky's fleet sailed a little west of north,
| arriving off the Saddle Islands, and on May
| p, the fleet, now consisting of forty-five
| vessels. was reported In the Korea strait.
| His GOLFERS and vessels not in good oondi-
! ton, had been blocked.
| The Japanese naval base was supposed to
| be at Masampo. Korea, within striking dis
| lance of the Russian feet. ~
| Although the Russian feet has performed
| a remarkable feat on its voyage, naval ex-
| perts agree that had 1t not been for fragrant
| violations of neutrality in permitting the
| vessels to coal and refit, ii would have been
| impossible.