The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1905-05-17
ANOTHER DIVISION or RUSSIAN.
NAVY READY TO REINFORCE
RoJEsTVENskY.
NAY PROVE c0UnTRY's SALVATION
EXPECTED TO GIVE RUSSIANS a
DECISIVE PREPoNDERANcE
ON THE WATER.

st. Petersburg, May 1.-THE naval
game in the Far East is watched with
intense interest, but the admiralty is
able to throw but little light on the
situation. 1t gives no confirmation Of
the Toxic report that Admiral Roiest-
vensky returned to Honkohe bay The
Russian admiral is keeping his move
ments and plans secret, not communi-
eating even with the home authori-
ties.
The many wild reports emanating
from Toxic are attributed to the agi-
tated state of mind of the Japanese
over the result of the coming battle.
The story that sailors from the crews
of the interned Russian ships at Shang-
hal are being sent to complete the
complement of Rojestvensky's fleet IS
nonsense, as is the previous story that
large number of mercenaries were
shipped at Madagascar. The admiralty
considers there is no harm now in
divulging the fact that Rojestvensky's
ships are Overmanned instead OF un-
dermanned, as when they left I4ibau
there was still hope that Chilean and
Argentine warships could be pur-
chased and portions of the crews de-
signed for them were carried on board
the Russian. fleet.
Will Avoid Straits of Formosa.
Many naval men incline to the opin-
ion that Rojestvensky will pass out of
the China sea into the Pacific through
the Ballintang channel, north of the
island OF Luzon, Philippine islands,
and give F'ormosa wide berth instead
of sailing through the 20O-mile stretch
of the Straits OF Formosa, in which the
Russians might be subject to a tor
pedO boat attack.
Another division of reinforcements
for Rojestvensky is almost ready at
Cronstadt and will be sent out under
the command of Rear Admiral Pare
nago. 1t will consist of two fine new
battleships, the Slava and the En-
peror Alexander H., two cruisers, a
torpedo cruiser, gunboat, a transport
and several minor units. The division
is now engaged in speed trials and
maneuvering off Cronstadt. The ap-
pearance of this reserve division in
the Far East in the course of the
summer should the hostile fleets suf-
fer equally in the coming battle is
counted upon to give Russia the neces-
sary decisive preponderance upon the
sea. The possession of this division,
naval men believe, may ultimately
prove Russia's salvation.
OFFICIALLY DENIED AT BERLIN.
Report That German Troops Had oc-
cupied Haichou.
Berlin, May 1.-THE foreign office,
replying to an inquiry Of the Asso-
ciated Press regarding the excitement
at Toxic over the report that German
troops had occupied Haichou, in the
southern part Of the Shantung penin-
sula, says the report is wholly incor-
rect and one of several reports de-
signed to make it appear that Ger
many is attempting in Shantung what
Russia did in Manchuria. The Ger
man government is doing nothing in
Shantung outside of fulfilling her
treaty agreement with China, which
fact has been communicated to both
the s Washington and Toxic govern.
ments. The foreign office regards
these reports as spread to mislead the
opinion of the world concerning Ger
manN's aims and acts.
Toxic, May lit is semi-offi icially
announced that the Japanese govern
ment has received conflicting reports
relating to the Haichou incident, one.
being to the effect that the Germans
occupied the place and raised and sa-
luted their flag and another to the et5
feet that the Germans were merely
engaged in surveying. Pending the
receipt OF full and correct information
the government here refrains from dis
cussing the matter.
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