Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-13
NOT GOING TO SAIGON
Course of Russian Fleet Has
Changed Opinion.
REPORTED BY STEAMER
SQUADRON is TRAVELLING AT
SPEED OF 8 OR 10 KNOTS.
Seen 800 Miles Northeast of Natuna
Islands Rojestvensky's Move
ment Portends Battle Soon.
REPORTED BY STEAMER

SINGAPORE, April 13.-The Russian feet
was in latitude degrees north, Longitude
Jos degrees 30 minutes east at noon, April
IL The peninsular and oriental steamer
Nubia, which has arrived here, reports hav-
ing passed no less than fortytwo vessels
there They were steering north-northeast
at a speed of eight or ten knots.
The position of the fleet was then about
300 miles northeastward of the Natuna IS
lands (Which lie between the Malay penin-
sula and the west coast of Borneo) ana
more than 300 miles southeast of Cape ST.
Jacoues This course indicates that the
fleet was not going to Saigon, French Coch-
in-China.
Ready to Accept Battle.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 13.-The news
Of the northward movement of Admiral Ro-
iestyensky's squadron and his evident IN
tention to accept battle whenever Admlral
Togo chooses to offer it has for the present
stilled all activities in the direction OF peace
and the foreign dispatches relating 10 the
voyage of the squadron are followed with
the most intense interest.
The admiralty volunteers no information
regarding Rojestvensky's plans, whether his
immediate destination is or is not Cape
Padaran (on the east coast of Cochin
China) but in naval circles the impression
prevails that the squadron will continue
northward to the Straits of Formosa, Where,
If Admiral Togo does not elect TO give Dat
tie or is defeated, Admiral RoJeStVensky
may seize a temporary base in japanese
territory and if it is considered adVisaple
he could there await the ARRIVAL OF Aoihii ai
Nebogatoff'S division.
If is rumored that there is a force of
rifiemen on board the Russian transports
which could be landed for the purpose OF
co-operating with marines in the same fash-
hot ba nit ted
at Guantanamo, Cuba, in 1898. Other naval
men think that Vladvostok is the only base
the Russian admiral has in view
Embargo on News.
There is an embargo on news from Nladi-
yostok concerning the Russian cruisers
Rossia. GromohO and Bogatyr, and 1t is
supposed though the admiralty does not
confirm the suppositon, that they have put
to sea to effect a diversion and prevent
mine laying.
Considerable irritation is manifested in
naval circles at the activity of British ships
in Chinese waters which are reported to be
steaming from Hongkong to Singapore,
and their action is attributed to desire 10
keep in touch with the Russian squadron
and report it's movements to the world at
large. and to Great BritainS ally in paruc-
ular, as happened in the case of the British
armored cruiser Sutlej, which arrived at
Singapore, Straight Settlements, yesterday,
and reported having passed the Russian
second Pacific squadron at daylight April
IL, steaming north.
Minister of Railroads Hillkoff has left st.
Petersburg for Siberia to superintend the
Improvements being made the Trans
Siberian railroad and the inauguration of
the river service in Siberia.
German Collier Released.
SINGAPORE, April 13-The German col
ler Hindoo (at this port, loaded with 4200
tons of Cardiff coal for the Island of Tan
long, between Borneo and Sangan, and
which was refused clearance papers for
Saigon unless her commander gave bonds
to deliver her cargo through the British
consul there) was released today her cap
tain agreeing to deliver his cargo through
the British consul al Saigon.
Coal for Russian Fleet.
PARIS. April 13.-Herr Bekel, who is
charged with the duty of gathering together
supplies of coal for the Russian second Pa
cifc squadron. has. according to a state
ment made TO the St. Petersburg corre-
spondent of the Matin 10000 tons of coal at
Saigon and 10000 tons at Shanghai. which
he expects the Russian squadron to take on
board.
British Naval Comment.
LONDON, April 13.-British naval men
comment on the lack of secrecy regarding
Admiral Rojestvensky's movements since
his arrival in far eastern waters The fact
that he is keeping to the main trade route
although knowing his squadron would con-
stantly be sighted and reported by passing
vessels. they consider clearly shows that
the Russian admiral is keenly anxious to
meet Admiral Togo and fight ii out to a
finish.
Admiral Train Gets "Tip."
The Navy Department was advised of the
dapu rtf TODD Of