Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-25
Rojestvensky Steaming North
to Meet Togo.
NEWSOFFIGHT ANYDAY
WARSHIPS OFF ISLANDS BE
TWEEN LUZON AND FORMoSA.
Head of Russian Admiralty Talks Of
Conditions of Big Fleet and
Commanders.


Avellan head of the Russian admiralty de-
partment confirms the Associated Press
dispatch saying Vice Admiral Rojestvensky
is steaming north to give battle to Admiral
Togo He considers it possible that news
to the effect that the two fleets have met
may be received any day.
In an interesting interview Admiral Avel-
Ian reaffirms the official denial of the re-
ports that Roiestvensky has broken down
and asked to be relieved. Avellan says Ro-
iestvensky sent detailed reports of the con-
dition of his own health and of the health
of the crews of his ships. The constant
tension and hard work of the past months
have been a great strain on the admlrai
health.
Even before he left" said Avellan, "Ro-
jestvensky was a sufferer from kinney
trouble. but his health is no worse. His
reports breathe a spirit of strength reso-
luteness and confidence, and other reports
show he has inspired his crews with tne
confidence of their commander. AS mat
ter of fact it is not RojestVensky put vice
Admiral NoelkerSam who has suffered ioih
the long stay in the tropics.
..The appointment of Vice Admiral BirlleH
as successor to Vice Admiral SkrydloH az
Vladivostok will in no wise aHect hoJest
yenskv's status. The latters mission as
chief of the fleet is to take 1t 10 NiadVos
tok There will be no antagonism wheh ne
yet there The two aQmlrdlS are OH Sf>
cenent terms, which began long ago Wneh i
Roiestvensky served under BlrlleH both
are iron disciplinarians and Ro1estVenshS
will give his superior the same loyai oo1
dience that he demands OF MS suooiui
mates"
Expects Sea Fight Soon.
do you anticipate sea fight soon '"e
admiral was asked. He replied:
.CertainIy The Japanese cannot af1ord
70
without an engagement. i personally eN-
pect 1t to take place in the near future
though admit the admiralty knows noun
ing of Rojestvensky's strategy or plans, tne
emperor having accorded him compete
freedom of action Possibly II Is ms pres,
cnt purpose to seek Admiral Togo and
force a fight but IL is more probable thae
Roiestvensky is bound for his base at Vlad-
ivostok. However L can say nothihs uei-
mite on this point
In response to a suggestion that Togo
might Intentionally allow RoJestVensky 10
get to Vladivostok. contenting himself WIN
torpedo attacks while the Russians are on
their way there and then try to bottle Ro.
iestvensky up in Vladivostok, Admiral
Avellan smiled and said:
1.-The story of Port Arthur will not be re-
peated. Rojestvensky is not the kind of
man to allow himself to be locked up IN a
port. If he gets to Vladivostok ne Will not
rest his laurels, but will seek an en-
gagement He will try to wrest the mas
terry of the sea from Togo. There are many
ways of compelling Togo to accept battle
Rojestvensky will only have to lombard
one of the coast cities to force Iogo 10 ap-
pear in its defense.
Story Repudiated.
Admiral Avellan repudiates the reports
that a number of chartered colliers sent TO
Vladivostok were captured by the Japa-
nese, owing to the connivance of their cap
tains who arranged to receive half the
price of their cargoes for betraying their
route and line of departure. The admiral
explains that the colliers were lost through
delay in the receipt of orders telegraphed
to them by the admiralty to go to Vladi-
vostok by way of La Perouse Straits in
stead of through the Straits of Korea Two
of these vessels which passed through La
PerouSe Straits arrived safely at Vladi-
votok.
A private letter from the commander of
one Of Rojestvensky's torpedo boat de-
stroyers mailed at Saigon describes the
fleets passage Of the Indian ocean The
writer says the hard work fell on the light
cruisers and torpedo-boat destroyers under
Vice Admiral Enquist. which were con-
stantly scouting ahead and communicate
ing the approach of vessels so as to per-
NIT Rojestvensky to change his course and
steer clear of them his desire being to
avoid discovery before he reached the China
sea, in which he was successful. Consid-
cradle difficulty was experienced al times
In coaltng from the transports at sea. eSpe-
cially in the case of the torpedo-boat de-
StfOyerS The officer adds that after the
long voyage they were looking forward
with relief to the coming battle. He SAYS
his torpedo-boat destroyer was reprovis-
ioned at Saigon.
Admiral Birileff left st. Petersburg for
Vladivostok today by special train. All
other trains will be side tracked in order
TO enable his train to get to Vladivostok
quickly The admiral expects to make Il
record trip in order to reach his post be-
fore ROjestvensky arrives.
Several trainloads of coal are on their
way TO Vladivostok
Warships Off Batan Islands.
MANILA. May 25.-Oficial advices have
been received from Vigan that on May 10
over fifty war vessels were sighted off the
east coast of the Batan Islands, sailing in
northeast direction. 1t is supposed that
the vessels were Russian.
The Batan Islands are about half way be-
tween Luzon and Formosa.
Unconfrmed Report of Battle.
Special Cablegram to The Star.
LONDON, May 2j.--There is an uncon-
hrmed rumor from Manila that the Japan
ese and Russian fleets have met in battle
off the coast of the Island for Formosa. A
news agency dispatch from st. Petersburg
says that the japanese defeated In
hs. ha ha Tor Aa