Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-04-12
Rumors at St. Petersburq,

St. Petersburg, April 11.-Russia's
information regarding Rojestvensky's
feet, its location, destination and in
tentions, is based solely on foreign
kilograms, which are all to meager
to prevent quick ripening crop of
rumors, according to one of which
the adverse fleets have already join
ed in battle. Others of these dispatch
the battleship division of the squad
ron. The admiralty steadfastly pro-
fesses it's inability to impart any light
or clarity the situation, and there is
reason to believe the profession is
made in good faith, at least as ap-
plies to all except the very highest
officials.
The admiralty informed the Asso-
ciated Press today that the report re-
ceived yesterday was not from the
commander of the squadron, but from
the captain of a merchant ship who
had encountered the fleet and report
ed to the Russian consulate at Singa-
pore.
Some naval officers conjecture that
the four battleships are delaying in
order to effect junction with Vice
Admiral Nebogatoffs division, but
generally credence is given to the
report that the battleships are TAX
ing a southern route through the
Sunday straits, the selection of the
Singapore route being regarded as a
feint, and to minimize the danger of
a torpedo boat attack on the main
stays of the fleet.
st. Petersburg, April 11.-There is
reason to believe that Vice Admiral
ROjestvensky's entrance into the Chi
ma sea has been followed by orders
for the cruisers Gromoboi, Rossia and
Bogatyr, which have been ready for
some time at Vladivostok. to put to
sea, Whether it is the intention to
send them south Immediately or to
hold them in the vicinity of Vladivos-
tok is not known. Their appearance
outside the roadstead of Vladivostok
would constitute a potential threat
against Admiral Togo's rear which
will compel the retention in or dis
match of a number of lighting ships
to Japanese waters. Thus Admiral
Togo seems to be virtually placed
between two fires.
The peace influence in the govern
ment urge that this favorable STRAIT
egic position presents the pyscholog-
ical moment for offering officially the
olive branch to Japan, reasoning that
no matter how confident the Japanese
government may be of TOgO's victory,
it cannot overlook the possibility OF
defeat, nor fail to appreciate the COM
nlete disaster which would follow the
transfer of mastery of the sea to Rus
sia. With so much depending upon
the issue, they argue, both countries
have mutual interests in avoding an
actual test, and it is not Impossible
therefore, that new move In the al
rection of peace may come just as
the world expects to hear the call to
quarters for the greatest naval battle
of modern times.
Spirits Are Raised.
Certainly the spirits of the wal
party have been greatly raised by 10
iestvensky's success in penetrating te
the China sea- and the prospect OF
naval battle, even with the odds
against Russian victory, which woult
change the entire complexion of tht
situation, has aroused something like
a flush of enthusiasm in many Rus
sian breasts.
Some naval officers express tht
opinion that Rojestvensky, having nov
safely navigated the straits. instead
of sailing north to meet the japanese
can afford to calmly await Vice Ad
miral Nebogatoff with his division o
the SQUADRON, who could arrive there
in about three weeks.
The Russian admiralty on Sunda!
received long dispatch from Singa
pore, but no intimation as to its con
tents has been given the newspapers
The papers Sunday morning printed
SINGAPORE dispatches without com
ment. The Sviet being the only ex
ception. This paper views the new
from Rojestvensky as an ausplciou
nrelude to a decisive battle. which
NAV show that over Rojestvensk.
still shines the happy star which heip
Cd him. when lieutenant. to save tn
fragile Vesta in unequal conflict witt
a turkish battleship." The Sviet es
presses the hope that Rojestvensky
Soctira.1 IN turn the tables, and tina