The Washington times., 1905-05-28
War and Navy Depart
ment Open All Night
Expecting News.
TOKYO ALL EXCITEMENT
Togo Well Informed of the
Enemy's Situation-Con-
fdence of Officials.

TOKYO, May 27.-5:20 a. m.-Through-
out the night the lights have burned at
the war and navy departments, and
high chiefs OF the bureaus have met in
secret conclave and have discussed the
probable outcome Of the naval battle
which perhaps has already been fought
or is, at the furthest but a few hours
off
Whatever news has been received Is
secret carefully guarded. Nor viii
the searchlight OF publicity be thrown
on the happenings OF the night until ab-
solute news shall come from the COM
raander of the japanese feet.
Censorship Strict
The censorship is the strictest since
the war began. 1t Is reported that all
iEcoming cable messages are held up
and will be detained at the receiving
station until stamped by the censor.
The only thing officially admitted by
the japanese officials is that the main
fleet OF the Russians. ay ing the flag OF
vice admiral. was, on Saturday.
steaming in two columns through the
Tsu Shima straits With dotfllas OF tor
pedo craft IN front ana III the rear
The battIeships We're in the van while
behind them came the armored cruisers,
the volunteer fleet and the golfers. The
rear was brought up by two battleshipa.
All larger vessels have been cleared
for action. Their torpedo nets are down.
Togo Well Informed.
No one knows where the japanese feet
was at that time nor what was the
intention OF the admiral commanding.
1t is certain he was fully cognizant OF
the whereabouts of the enemy and the
disposition of his forces
If 4 battle mas been fought, or even if
there has been preliminary skirnishiHg
between the advance guard OF the Rus
slams and the Japanese scout ships.
that fact is closely guarded secret.
History is being made at the present
moment. The curtain must remain dow
until Japan decides to raise 1t or
shipload of wounded reaches neutral
port.
In unofficial quarters it is believed
that the result of the fight will be
favorable to Japan. No one cares to
hazard any guesses until the governs
nent gets ready TO issue a statement.
Certain it is that the attitude of the
officials is most confident, far from
being that of men apprehensive of re-
ceiving bad news.
Excitement in City.
Not since the breaking out of the
war has there been so much suppressed
excitement and anxiety in this city
prevails this morning
Throughout the night there have been
many rumors IN circulation To the ef-
feet that the fleets OF Admirals Togo
and Rogestyensky had met in battle
and that one or the other had been VIC
torious. While these rumors had the ef-
feet of stirring the people as they sell
dom have been stirred before, none of
them could be verified. nor have they
apparently any confirmation at the
navy department.
AT midnight one OF the leading off,
cials of the Japanese government gave
assurance that up to that time no word
had been received from Admiral Togo.
He added, in leaving. however, signifi-
cantly:
we cannot tell now what a moment
may bring forth. We are waiting for
information
Battle Expected at Once.
This remark was pregnant with mean
ing. inasmuch as the Japanese feet is
equipped with wireless telegraphy and
word of a battle would come so soon as
the fleets met. 1t is believed that either
during Saturday or Sunday nights an
attack by destroyers md torpedo craft
on the Russian fleet ma.- be expected.
Rogt stvensky, confident in his
strength, is making a bold movement
through the eastern Tsushima channel
and apparently is desirous OF reaching
the sea of Japan by the easiest route
regardless of the plans CT Ire japanese.
Should lse gain his point and DC upop-
posed he can be depended on TO cut
the japanese lines Of communication
and Interfere with the Iand-iocked har-
bors where the Japanese transports are
landing troops at viii az the present
time.
However. it can be stated upon the
highest authority that this will not be
the case The Japanese squadron left
its base in the Elliott islands some
days ago and all OF the heavy armed
ships under Admiral Togo are with the
feet.
Momentous news can be looked for al
a moments notice Japanese experts
will be greatly surprised If the out-
come Is not the total stnl1ihilation of the
enemV'S fleet.