Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-04-08
NAVAL BATTLE IMMINENT.
Apmirai Rodjestvensky's Fleet Heard
From-Admiral Togo Prepared TO
Meet the Russian ships.

Malay peninsula, April o.-lne greatest
excitement prevails here, as it is believ-
ed that q naval battle between the Japa-
nese and Russian fleets is impending
The reports Of vessels which have arriv-
ed here lately showing that the fleets are
approaching, are responsible for this be-
lief. News of the movements OF the fleets
is awaited with the greatest anxiety.
The steamer Kumsang, which has just
arrived, reports sighting twelve warshlps,
amp irently a japanese scouting squadron,
steaming ahead off Singapore (of the
southernmost point of the Malay PENN
sula). Two other steamers report sight
ing a large Russian fleet in the straits of
Malacca. and steaming toward Singapore.
Twenty-Five of the vessels were trans
ports. The impression prevails that it
is only matter Of few hours until the
two fleets will meet and a naval battle
which may mean the ending Of the war
will then be fought.
Singapore, April 8. -Admiral Rodjest-
vensky's fleet was sighted heasing ap-
pa.ently tor DURAN straits. DURAN
straits lie southeast of Malacca straits and
are between the islands of Sumatra and
Lingen.
Hong Kong, April S.-Following the
reported appearan of thirty-one war
ships between Penang and Singapore,
the British China squadron is preparing
to 90 to sea- The Sutlej starts today for
Singapore and it will be followed by. the
Ocean and another cruiser.
Singapore, April s, 3 p. m.-The Rus
sian fleet has just passed the harbor and
is now steaming northeast. This indicates
that Admiral Rodjestvensky is entering
the China sea by way of the Singapore
straits instead of the DURAN straits.
London, April ga private telegram
from Singapore says the Russian squad
ron numbers thirty-ive vessels. 1t is
believed that Admiral Rodjestvensky is
making for Saigon, the capital Of French
Cochin China.
London, April S.-From the dis
patches which have been received in the
last twelve hours, indicating that the
Japanese and Russian fleets are really
coming together il is regarded as almost
certain that another great naval battle
will be fought within the next few hours.
That the Russian fleet has advanced
through the straits of MaIacca, heading
apparently for the China sea, is regarded
as an indication that Admiral RodJest-
yensky has at last decided so meet the
enemy in the battle which the Car re
CARDS as offering the only possibility of
Russia regsining any semblance OF her
former prestige. The China sea will proba-
bly, be the scene of the conflict il ROdjest-
vensky adheres to his apparent inten
ton Of making for Saigon, the capital of
French Cochin China.
The Russian feet has been sighted at
Singapore, one OF the Straits Settlements
just south Of the Malay peninsula. There
are several openings through which the
Russian fleet may pass from the straits
OF Malacca, and it is believed that Adj
mira Togo is closely watching all Of
these passages. Little has been beard
of Togo's fleet in the last few weeks. 1t
is understood, however, that the Japa-
nese vessels have been cruising in the
neighborhood OF Singapore and the
Linga archipelago. On March l6 YES
sells reported at Singapore sighting
twenty-five japanese warships in that
neighbOrhoOd.
BY means Of his scout ships, it is be-
lieved the japanese will be able to keep
close watch on all the passages by
which the Russian fleet might pass from
the Indian Ocean. which Rojestvensky
has traversed coming from Madagascar,
near which the Russian vessels crused
for 50 many weeks, into the China sea.
The vessels have been cruising with
lights out at night and apparently were
ready to meet the Russians at any
moment.
From the clay of the land, . it seems
apparent that Admiral Togo will have
something of an advantage in position.
The straits Of Nlalacca separate the large
island of Sumatra from the Malay PENN
snla on the west and southwest. Singa-
pore and Bngtang and other islands of
the RHO archipelago lie south of the
Malay peninsula and separated from 1t
by the straits of Singapore. These islands
are to the east of Sumatra. Farther
southeast is the LiDga archipelago, which
is also east of Sumatra and separated
from the latter by the DURAN straits.
It is believed by the naval experts
that Admiral Togo has intentionally al
lowed Rodiestyensky to pass through the
straits of Malacca unmOlested, fearing
that if naval battle occurred there the
narrowness of the straits would interfere
with the manoeuvres of his squadron.
BY waiting until the Russians pass
into the China sea, more sea room will
be secured, and the possibility OF an ac-
cident by which the outcome Of the
battle might be changed, would be |
avoided in a great measure.
1t is thought that Togo plans to wait |
until Rodjestvensky rounds Bintang or
the point of the Malay peninsula, or the
islands of the Linga archit elsgo, in
case the Russian com nander chooses
the southernmost course before making
the attack. The japanese apparently
intend then 10 press the Russians close
to the eastern coast of the Malay penin-
sula, duplicating the plan followed by
the American fleet in the naval battle OF
during the Spanish American
war, when Cervera was kept elise to the
Cuban coast. 1t will make little diff
ference by which of the passages Rod