Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28
NO NEWS OF A BATTLE
But St. Petersburg Celebrates
Fleets Progress.
THE PAUCITY OF NEWS
FORMED BASIS OF RUSSIAN BE-
LIEF OF JAPANESE DEFEAT.
Rojestvensky is the Hero of the Hour
in the Russian Capital-AnA-
iety for News.

command of Vice Admiral Roi ie.t-
vensky has entered the straits OF
Korea on the final stage of its lorg
Journey from the Baltic sea. whence
it sailed in October last, for its sub
stituted destination. Nladivostok, its
original objective point, Fort
Arthur, having meanwhile fallen into
the hands OF the Japanese.
Beyond the fact that the Russians
were Yesterday in the vicinity OF the
Tsu Islands. all is conjecture. Ap-
parently the only avenues OF news
transmission are held by the lap
anese, and the authorities of that
country are exercising a rigorous
censorship.
The paucity OF information which
the censor has permitted to pass has
formed the basis for the belief in
high quarters about st. Petersburg
that an engagement has been fought
and that the japanese have suffered
a defeat, the theory being that were
the facts otherwise they would have
been Immediately given to the
world.
At all events, the course taken by
Rojestvensly's fleet, through tie
narrow waters eastward OF Korea,
may be accepted as evidence that ne
is bent on forcing Togo to accept
battle, the alternative being the
bombardment OF japanese ports and
the sweeping OF the Japanese mcr-
chant marine from those waters.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 2s.-12:5o am
The Russian foreign office and the admiral
~ thus far have been entirely dependent
upon the Associated Press dispatches from
Tokyo for news concerning the movements
of the warships in the Korean strait, and
up TO midnight We're in receipt of no tele-
grams from the Russian fleet.
The Associated Press is able to announce
thai the Nladivostok cruisers have left that
port and are now acting in general coop
Grafton with Vice Admiral Rojestvensky un-
der plans prepared for the present emer-
geLcy. Capt. Broussikoff, who is well
known In the United States. commands the
armOred cruiser Grouoboi.
Vice Admiral RoJestvensky's success in
reaching the Korean strait. the gateway to
Nladivostok has aroused something like
geruine enthusiasm. The snowy Russian
capital the banks of the Neva arrayed
in gala attire and Illuminated in honor of
the anniversary of the coronation of En-
peror Nicholas, seemed fete for the oc-
casion. For once st. Petersburg was not
pessimistic. Everywhere the report current
that Rojestvensky had defeated Togo was
accepted as true, and In the streets the
Russian admiral's name was on every lip
Rojestvensky Hero of the Hour.
In the cafes and gardens he was toasted
as the hero of the hour Yet, in reality. St
Petersburg had only Tokyo's advices, but
perhaps for once the Russian people, so
easily prey to despair might be pardoned
foc their premature jubiation after the un-
broken series OF reverses suffered on sea
and land
The authorities, however. while elated
over the news, indulged In no unwarranted
rejoicing, but instead awaited almost
breathlessly for further news. The lights
in the admiralty office burned far into the
I4ISHt' anu ine TACT thdl no further dis
patches had arrived from Tokyo. where
alone the secret of the real situation is
known. was considered reassuring
Admiral Wirenius, chief of the general
stan of the navy, said to the Associated
Press:
If Rojestvensky has cleared the Korean
strait. God bless him, he had open water
ahead. If he has succeeded in mystifying
the enemy and entered the japanese sea
with his force unimpaired he has earned
the title of master of naval strategy"
Great Anxiety at Tsarskoe-S -Selo.
At TsarskOeS Selo where it is realized the
whole fortune of the and possibly the
fate of the dynasty was staked upon the
issue. the greatest anxiety prevailed EN-
peror Nicholas received the news with sat
isfaction. but without elation as an indi-
cation that Rojestvensky had outwitted his
adversary and had cleared the difficult en-
trance to the Japan sea Throughout the
emperor has displayed the greatest con-
hdence In Roiestversky's ability to turn
the trick, but with the arrival of the de-
cislve moment he showed nervousness and
repeatedly had officials at court inquire of
the admiralty and the foreign office for
dispatches. but neither ministry could re-
lleve the imperial suspense.
Capt. Won Essen of Port Arthur fame and
of the most capable of Russian naval
officers is one of those who believe that
Rojestvensky's arrival in the Korean strait
IS not an affair of mystiflcation, but is due
To the relative strength of the fleets He
expressed to the Associated Press the ut
most confidence that Rojestvensky would
reach Vladiyostok without fighting a de-
csive battle. Togo's fleet being too weak
he believed to meet that of Russia in open
combat.
1t is undeniable that many thoughtful
liberals display almost CONSERVATION over
the success that thus far has attended Ro-
jestvensky's voyage. a decisive victory for
him. they believe might strengthen the
government as to not only destroy all pros