The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1905-04-13
ITO MEET JAPS
RUSSIAN AND JAPANESE FLEETS
DRAWING CLOSE TOGETHER.
THE RUSSIANS HAVE Al SHIPS
The Result Of the War Hinges Upon
This Battle and Russian
Shlps are W Two
Divisions.

ciANAlAN DEL LIN
] MENT-The Russian Second Pacific
%squardon DaltIe fleeD which steamed
past Singapore Saturday afternoon.
disappeared upon the northeastern
horizon AT 6 o'clock. Black smoke was
pouring from the tunnels OF the YES
sells. They passed seven miles out
The fleet consisted OF six battle ship
nine cruisers. eight torpedo boat de-
sixteen Golfers, one salvage ship. one
s~troyers. three volunteer fleet vessels,
hospital ship and three Hamburg
American liners.
The Russian fleet appeared to be
steaming directly toward the Japanese
fleet, which cannot be more than $50
miles away. IL may be much closer.
Singapore is hourly awaiting the news
that the battle is on.
The Russian vessels bore evidence Of
the effects OF their long sea voyage
and at the water line showed seaweed
a foot long. The squadron was led by
a large cruiser. followed by three con-
yerted former Hamburg American
lire vessels. Then came the cruisers,
GOLFERS. battle ships, etc. The colliers
were mostly in the center OF the fleet
The decks OF the warships wers coal
laden, while the GOLFERS and the former
Hamburg-Anerican liners were light
OF draft.
The vessels are burning soft coal and
a tremendous smoke is visible for
miles. Gangways were not lowered
and no one was permitted on board the
vessels. No news was ~vouchsafed
Artinerymen and submarine miners
were kept at their posts all day, mann
ing the guns and mines.
LONDON-Naval and diplomatic
circles are intensely interested in the
moral certainly OF a great naval bat
tie within two or three days between
the Japanese admiral. Togo. and the
Russian admiral. Ro~jjestvensky. Ro-
jestvensky is to fight without a base,
II all the experts who have been watch
ing his correspondence with shore
authorities have n o been deceived,
and 1t is therefore, so far as the Rus
SLAMS are concerned. to be a fight TO
/ the bottom of the sea or the defeat OF
the apanese.
The opinion Is unanimous on the
point that -Rojestvensky must get the
best Of the first days fight. II he
does not he will be put on the defen-
siye and must retreat and that would
end the war. The other unanimous
opinion is that Russia, having been so
often warned OF the plans OF the Japan
csc, feels confident that ROjestvensky's
not believe II Is inviting another and
an irreparable disaster.
wAsHTNGToN-That a tremen.
dous naval battle is at hand is the be
lief OF this government. which hopes
that which ever side wins the end Of
the war will become imminent
Rear Admiral Charles J. Train, com.
mander-in chief OF the Asiatic fleet.
has been notified that he Is relied upon
to preserve the neutrality OF the Phil
ippines IN the naval operations ex.
pected between the belligerents. Il Is
thought probably that he may have
sent some warship TO patrol the waters
Of the southern portion Of the arch.
ipelago. II is after the battle has been
fought and decided that Philippine
ports may become internationally inn
portant. II will be remembered that
when the Russian ships ran out OF
Port Arthur last summer they did not
close with the Japanese, but a for
Chinese ports.
The United States already has de-
cided what 10 do in similar events in
the Philippines. The crippled war.
ships will be obliged 10 leave port
with such repairs as are possible In
t~wenty-four hours or else they will
have 90 dismantle and intern until the
end OF the war.
SINGAPORE Tho most i'm.
portAnt fighting vessels Of Vice "A.
miral R~ojestvehsky's second Pacific
squadron baltic Sea fleetl have not
passed here and their whereabouts
are unknow. These vessels include the
battle ships Kniaz souvaroff. Aiexand.
er II. Borodino and Orel with their
complement 81 cruisers. torpedo boat
daatFoyrrs. ~collieFs and tFansDoFts IL