Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-05-26
Today's Telegraphic News
The Fleets.

Inc fleetS.
Toxic, May 26.-It is believed here
that the action of the Russians in send
ing the feet of volunteer cruisers and
colliers to the mouth of the Yangtse
river. as reported from Shanghai, is a
mart of the plan of diversion made by
Admiral Rojes:vensky in the hope OF
drawing of a portion Of the Japanese
feet. 1t is possible, however, that the
Russians have planned to intern the
slow vessels of the feet in neutral
ports and that the swifter vessels will
then withdraw from the fighting zone.
Unless the movement ofthe volunteer feet
toward Shanghai is for the purpose OF
diversion this theory seems likely. No
information has been received here as to
the whereabouts of Rojestyensky's main
feet. Opinion is divided as to whether
he has entered the Pacific ocean or
has returned to the ports along the lower
Chinese coast. The position Of Admiral
Togo's feet is likewise kept secret. The
people are confident, however, that no
matter what may come the japanese
feet will give a good acct unit Of itself
and that in case of general fight the
victory will rest with Togo and his men.
London, May ga dispatch from
Tsingtau, China, says that the entire
Russian feet is assembled at WoOsung,
Just above Shanghai, at the mouth of
the Yangtse river. The German squad
ron at Tsingtsu is said TO be preparing
for eventualities.
The appearance of Admiral Rojest-
vensky at Woosung is great surprise,
as he was generally believed to be in
the Pacific ocean.
Woosung is comparatively close to
Masampo, where it is reported Togo
has had his base for at least week.
In coming to Woosung, it is believed
that Rojestvensky is seeking his adyer-
sary and is prepared to offer him battle
at The earliest possible moment.
There is little doubt that Togo has
been kept well informed of Rojestven-
sky's movements, and this explains why
he has held his present base. He is
doubtless prepared and will land blow
for blow if Rojestvensky dares an attack.
The daring of the Russian Admiral in
sailing directly into japanese waters
leaves little doubt that the long expected
battle will be fought before many days,
perhaps even within a few hours. Ro-
iestyensky was reported some time ago
as saying that bis trip to the far East
was lor the purpose Of meeting Togo and
the battle would tor him mean either
victory or death. His actions would
seem to show that he meant what he
said, at that time. The first of the
Russian vessels appeared in the neigh
borhood of Woosung last night when
five volunteer cruisers with GOLFERS ap-
reared at the mouth of the Yangtse
river. A cruiser accompanied the vol
unteer feet and it subsequently disap-
peared. The balance of the fleet made
its appearance suddenly today. Little
significance was attached to the appear
ance of the volunteer feet at first,
as it was thought that at the
most the vessels had been sent
to a pert to obtain information, if posi-
BILE, in regard to the whereabouts Of the
japanese fleet. In the light of the
developments of today, however, it can
be seen that Rojestvensky evidently had
planned making for Woosung for some
time.
Immense quantities of supplies have
been received at Woosung in the last
few weeks and these, it is now known,
are for the Russians. This shows the
care with which Rojestvensky has plan
ned his movements.
Rejestvensky may delay at WOosung
to take aboard the supplies and to coal
his vessels. II he does this it will re-
quire several days. In that event the
battle will be delayed. If on the other
hand the Russian commander puts to
sea again Immediately the meeting of
the japanese fleet could hardly be delay
ed unless Togo runs away from the Rus
SLAMS.
A dispatch to the Central News from
Shanghai does not bear out the earlier
reports from Tsingtau, saying that the
entire Russian fleet is at WOOsung at
the mouth OF the Yangtsi river. All
the Russian vessels at WoOsung, accord
ing to this dispatch, are the five volun-
teer cruisers whose arrival was reported
last night.