The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-26
JAPS MUST RISK
FIGHT IN THE OPEN
Admiral AvelIan 1alks of the
Fleets Chances
R0JESTVENSkY IS NOT ILL
Russians Admit That Golfers Des-
tined for Vadivostok Have Been
Captured BY the
Japs.
ROJGSTVENSkY IS NOT ILL

st. Petersburg, May 25.-Admral Avel-
Ian, head of the Russian admiralty de-
pattment, confirms the Associated Press
dispatches saying Vice Admiral Rojest-
venslSy is steaming north to give battle
to Admiral Togo. Ife considers 1t pos
sible that news to the effect that the two
| fleets have met may be received any
! day.
In an interesting interview Admiral
Avellan reaffirms the official denial of
the reports that RojestvenslSy has broken
down and asked to be relieved. Avelan
says Rojestyensky sent detailed reports
of the condition of his own health and
of the health Of the crews OF his ships.
. The constant tension and hard work for
/ the past months have been a great strain
| on the admirals health.
Health Is No Worse.
EVEN before he left" said Avellan,
| "Roiestvensky was a sufferer from kid
| eny trouble but his health is no worse.
| His report breathes spirit of strength,
resoluteness and confidence and other re-
ports show he has inspired his crews with
the confidence of their commander. As
matter of fact it is not Rojestyensky,
but Vice Admiral Voelkersam, who has
| SUHered Ifm the lOllB SAdA vi TIC tlOHiC.
The appointment of Vice Admiral Birileff
as successor to Vice Admiral Skrydloff at
Valdivostol will in no wise affect Rojest-
| yens<y,s status The latter's mission as
! chief of the fleet Is to take 1t to Nladi-
vostolS There will be no antagonism when
he gets there The two admirals are on
excellent terms which began long ago,
when Rojestvensky served under Birilef
Both are iron discplanarians and Rojest-
vensky will give his superior the same
| loyal obedience that ne demands Oh DIS
subordnates
DO you anticipate a sea f1ght soon
| the admiral was asked.
He replied;
Must Risk Engagement.
"Certainly. The Japanese cannot afford
TO allow RojestvenslSy to reach Vladi-
vostok without an engagement. | per-
| sonally expect it to take place in the near
| future though | admit the admiralty
knows nothing of Rojestvensky's strategy
or plans. the Emperor having accorded
him complete freedom of action. Posi-
/ blv IL is his present purpose to seek Adj
! miral Togo and force fight but 1t Is more
probable that Roiestvensky Is bound for
| his base at vladivostok. However, i can
| saw nothing definite on this point"
| In response to a suggestion that Togo
might intentionally allow Rojestvensky to
got to Vladyostok contenting himself
! with torpedo attacks while. the Russians
are on their way there ana then try 10
bottle Rojestvensky up in Vladivostok,
! Admiral Avelan smiled and said:
! ,The story Of Port Arthur will not be
| reneatsd Roiestvensky Is not the kind of
! man to allow himself TO be locked up In
a port. If he gets to Vladivostok he will
moi rest on his laurels, but will seek an
| engagement He will trv to wrest the
| fra
MANY wavs Of compelling Togo to ac-
cent battle Roiestvensky will only have
| IN lombard one Of the coast oties to
| force Togo appear in It's defense"
Japs Captured Golfers.
, Admiral Avellan repudiates the reports
| ttat number Of chartered colliers sent
| to VladiVostok were captured by the
| Jananese owing TO the connivance of their
| cantains. who arranged to receive half
the nriea of their cargoes for betraying
| their route and time Of departure. The Adj
/ miral explains that the coliers were lost
| through delay in the receipt of orders
| teleera phed to them by the admiralty to
! on to Vladivostok by way of La Pc
! rouse straits instead Of through the straits
| Of Korea Two of these vessels which
| ma ssed through La Perouse straits arrived
safely at Vladlvostok.
| A private letter from the commander of
| one of Rojestyenskys torpedo boat de-
| strovers mailed at Saigon described the
feets passage Of the Indian ocean. The
writer saws the hard work fell on the
| light cruisers and torpedo boat DESTROY
ers under Vice Admiral Enquist, which
were constantly scouting ahead and COM
muniQating the approach of vessels 70 as
| 4, hermit Rojestvensky to change his
| course and steer clear of them, his .JIesire
icing to avoid discovery before hefeach-
] ed the China sea- in which he Was sue
| cessful.
| Considerable difficulty was e,4berienced
at times in coaling from the transports
| AZ sea and especially In the 4se Of the
torpedo destroyers The offlceia adds that
| after the long voyage, they1kyere look
Inc forward with relief to thel Aiming hat
tle' He says his torpedo boi{ DESTROYER
was reprovisioned at Saigonv