Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-05-27
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.l
Washington, d. c., May 27

Islands is confirmed by official adyices
received this morning by the Navy De-
partment from the American naval at
tacbe at Toxic Naval officers here are
inclined to the belief that il this'squad-
ron contains three battleships, as report
ed. the rest of ROjestyenaky's fleet is not
far distant. They do not believe that
he would divide his heavy fighting force
in the face of the enemy, thus making
both detachments vulnerable. Private
advice of an entirely authentic nature
received in Washington this morning
announce that more than q Russian
vessels, including 2 battleships and 3
cruisers. are of Saddle Islands, which
are about 60 miles southeast Of Shang'
hal. II is believed in official circles
here that the warships noted in this
dispatch acted as convoy to GOLFERS and
transport ships which Admiral Rojest-
yenskv desired t. detach from his fleet
in anticipation Of an engagement with
Togo.
Great significance is attached to the
report of the American naval sttache at
Toxic that "mOre than Fl Russian ves-
sells, including three battleships and
three cruisers" are OF the Saddle Is
lands, just little southeast OF shanghai.
He evidently received his information
from the japanese war Office and there
is no reason 10 doubt its accuracy so far
as il goes. The report, however, shows
on its face that it wSs not the result OF
careful observation but was sent of
hnrriedly without waiting for details.
Six fighting ships were actually dis
tinguished but it is believed here that
among the others referred to in the
word "more" the remainder OF
Admiral Rojestyensky's fighting line
will be discovered 1t is incOnceivable
to the naval strategists here that the
Russian Admiral would split his fighting
force into two divisions, thus making
each one vastly inferior to the japanese
adversary. Roiestvensky has about
sixty ships of various kinds under his
Command. Everyone can appreciate
low difficult it would be TO an observer
TO pick up that number of vessels at sea
and how almost impossible it would he
without minute investigation to distin-
guish accurately which among the leaden
colored vessels were battleships, cruisers,
or transports. 1t is therefore confidently
expected that later reports will demon
strgte that the entire Russian squadron
is now off Shanghai. Rojestvensky is now
in the zone of commercial activity and
his movements will be reported fire.
quenlIy. News of battle between
the belligerent fleets is expected within
the next day or two. Rojestvensky, il
is believed here, has only seven really
available battleships and only two or
three cruisers that will count for any
thing in a fight. The japanese have four
battleships aud at least eight armored
cruisers which are almost as effective as
battleships. For .Rojestyensky to di-
vide bis force would therefore be TO in
vite destruction. The presence of the
Russians at Saddle Islands appears to con-
firm the recent reports that they made
their way north through the Batun
channel, north of the island of Luzon,
of the Philippine group, giving the For
mosa straits q wide berth on account OF
the danger from japanese mines.
An interesting report has been made
to the general staff by Capt. Carl Reich
mann, u. 5. A., military observer with
the Russian army, in which he comments
freely upon the sluggishness of the Rus
slams as compared with the japanese,
due largely TO the difference in the loads
required to be carried by the soldiers of
the two armies. He draws two les
sons from his observations The desira-
bility of each soldier of the United States
army in campaign being equipped with
an intrenching spade, and the gen
eral tightening of his load 81 consider
the spade as important part of the sol
diers armament as his rifle says Capt.
"and believe that he
ought to carry the spade himself. of
course his load must be lightened to COM
for the burden of the intrench-
ing tool, but | am of the opinion that
this load ought to be frightened anyway,
On general principles. Capt Peyton
@. March, military observer with the
Japanese, in a similar report reaches
ike conclusions.
The President is seriously considering
the postponemeut of the date of the
extra session of Congress this
all from the middle of October until
month later. Senator Cullom, of Illinois,
.aIled az the White House this morning,
md on leaving the Presidents Office re-
marked to your correspondent. II do
not believed there will be any extra sess
ZION of Congress until after the fall cleo
ions, and sincerely hope there will not
De any then"
The retirement from the Cabinet of
Attorney General Moody, which was to
nave taken place this summer, has, il is
aid, been postponed until July J, 1906.
l'y the Cars orders President Roose-
Telt will receive a history of the origin
If the Russo-Japanese war when VIII
prove to the President that Russia made
he utmost efforts to keep peace.
In connection with the published
policy Ct the Panama Canal Commission
o make purchases in the cheapest
markets an interesting statement with
egard to the prices of steel rails has
,een furnished at the request OF Col.
Clarence A. Edyards, ofthe Canal Com
mission, by f. A. Drake, secretary and
reasurer OF the Panama Railroad 90.