The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-18
Something Doing on Both
Land and Sea
ROJESTVENSKY MAY Be ILL
Naval Officials at ST. Petersburg Are
Now Expecting News Of First
Skirmishes Between
Scout Ships.

st. Petersburg, May 1S.-(2:40 a. m.)-
With a suspicious stoppage of dispatches
from Manchuria and a strong possibility
that Vice Admiral RojestvenslSy has cut
his last communication with home, and
set forth on the final stages of his jour
ney to his goal. either Togo or vladivos-
took, keen interest is manifested in naval
and military circles here in the two-fold
field of war.
Though the admiralty, which has been
completely silent since the advent of Ro-
jestvensky in the China sea, publishes no
dispatches, the conviction is growing that
he united squadrons as indicated by the
Associated Press on May 10, departed
from AMMAN coast Immediately after their
juncture, and naval officials are anxiously
expecting news of the first slkirmishes be-
tween scouts of the hostile fleets. The
Associated Press correspondent on his
visits to naval officials yesterday to in
vestigate the rumor that Vice Admiral
Rojestvensky's health had broken down,
was repeatedly and eagerly questioned
for the latest Information through press
dispatches, which, it was declared, is
better source than the admiralty
Can Clean On Barracks.
Captain Clado confirmed the statement
of the Associated Press that the vessels
of both squadrons are equipped with ap-
paratus for cleaning their bottoms at
sea.
He said it was entirely possible for
Vice Admiral Nebogatoff to put the last
finishing touches to the vessels of the
division during the mysterious interval
when they were lost to sight before pass
ing the Straits of Malacca-
Neither the admiralty or Individual Of
ficers have any information regarding the
rumored request of Vice Admiral Rojest-
vensxy to be relieved, and those who were
questioned regarding the report expressed
doubts of its accuracy. 1t was pointed
out that it would be entirely impraeticable
for the fleet to delay in the China sea
until the arrival of Vice Admiral Birileff
and it was declared that Rojestvensky
will keep his flag flying as long as he
is not utterly incapacitated for command,
which then would naturally devolve on
Vice Admiral Voelkersam, who Is known
as an officer with "Teutonic thorough
ness and attention to the fine details OF
his profession" He is also a notable
strategist and theoretician.
The Associated Press was informed late
last night that Vice Admiral Birileff will
be sent to Vladivostok, which possibly
accounts for the origin of the rumor of
Roiestvensly's request to be relieved OF
his command
Another Great Battle Expected.
On the military side. the indications are
that events are rapidly shaping for the
preliminary stage of another great bat
lie The Russian army has been reftted
and is ready for action, and 1t is asserted
that General Linevitch Is not the man to
waste days In inaction.
Further mobilization of cavalry in one
or two districts was ordered today, but
no large draft Is required as reinforce
ments for the cavalry army are at hand
in the recently embodied Cossacks, whose
departure for Manchuria was postponed
in anticipation of May-day troubles, the
most of whom can now resume the trip
eastward