Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-11
The Russian Squadron Is
Really Looking for Trouble
Numerous Dispatches Tell Of
Sighting the Warships.
Japanese and Russian Boats Evidently
To Soon Fight.

st. petersburg, April l1.-2.f A. M.
Russian information regarding Ro-
jestvensky's meet. its location, destina-
ton and intentions, is based solely on
foreign dispatches which are all too
meagre to prevent quick ripening
crop of rumors, according to one Of
which the adverse fleets have already
joined battle.
Others of these dispatches are at
tempting to locate variously the bat
tie ship division of the squadron. The
Admiralty Steadfastly processes its in
ability to impart any light or clarity
the situation. and there is reason to be-
lieve the profession is made in good
faith, ut least as applies to all except
the very highest officers
The Admiralty informed The Assoc
ciated Press. today. that the report
received 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 Sing
3pore.
Some naval officers conjecture the
four battleships are delaying in order
to effect IL junction with Vice Admiral
NebOgatoff's division but generally
credenco is given to the report that the
battleships are taking a southern route
through the Sunda straits. the selection
of the Singapore route being regarded
as in the nature of a fc:nt and to min
Imizc the danger of a torpedo boat at
tack at Main Stays of the fleet.
Meanwhile events in Manchuria have
come to a pause, and at home the main
attention is being given to the work of
the BOuligan commission. which is
charged with formulating the plan for
the representative assembly promised
by the imperial rescript Of March 5. The
statement that the preliminary report
of the commission will be ready before
Easter is incorrect. The amount Of ma
te~ia for its consideration is to get the
permit of this. The chief problem IS that
of representation for governments
where the Zemstvo organization is not
at present installed and election ma
chinery is not available.
The summary closure Of the lawyers
congress in Et. Petersburg yesterday In
the midst Of the opening session of what
promised to be a repetition Of the Mos
COW conference of doctors manifests the
firm hand with which Governor General
Trepoff is managing the difficult situa-
ton.
St. Petersburg. April 10.-12.12 p. M.
The outburst of enthusiasm aroused
in military and naval circles at the
prospect of d sea fight which may
change the whole complexion Of the
war finds no echo in the liberal press
which views with something akin to
alarm even the remotest possibility of
a turn of fortune which would
strengthen the government at home.
The Chauvinistic organs. however, are
filed with long articles discussing Ad-
miral Rejestvenskys chances but they
are all based on the theory that the
whole squadron has reached the China
sea. The Novoe Vremya highly COM
mend.s the admiral for having safely
accomplished the difficult feat of bring
ing the squadron through, declaring
the die is now cast. The BOurSe Ga
zettc manifests undisguised pleasure at
the scare in British shipping circles
and the furry in insurance rates pros
ducel by the sudden appearance of the
Russian squadron off Singapore after
the British had convinced themselves
that the squadron would never go to
the Far East.
Japan" says the Bourse Gazette.
"now stands to lose the mastery Of the
sea together with the fruits of all her
successes on land"
= Other papers express doubt as to
whether a sea fight is imminent. ex-
pressing the opinion that Rojestven-
sky is likely to await Rear Admiral
Nebogatof and that Admiral Togo
will retire closer to his base before ac-
cepting battle. Strict orders have been
issued to the officers on duty at the
admiralty not to make public any por-
ton of the long report which arrived
here yesterday. from Singapore.
Nothing is procurable in regard to
the whereabouts Of the battieships
kniaz Souxaroff and other Russian
warships reported to be missing from
the squadron which passed Singapore.
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