Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-25
RUMOR OF BATTLE
Report Fleets Have clashed. But
There is No Confirma.
ton to Be Had.
KUROPATKIN's RECALL ASKED
Delayed Dispatch Tells of Difficulties
the Weather Presents in
Manchuria.

Manila. May %. 8 a. m.-There is an
unconfirmed rumor here that the Rus
sian and Japanese fleets have engaged
in battle south of the island of For
mosa. and that the Japanese were de-
feated
Gone to Fight.
St Petersburg, May 25.-Admiral
Avellan, head of the Russian admiral
ty department. confirms the Associated
Press dispatch saying Rojestvensky is
steaming north to give battle TO Togo.
He considers it possible news to the
effect that the two fleets have met
may be received any day
Avellan reaffirms the official denial
of the reports that Rojestvensky has
broken down and asked TO be relieved.
Leaves for Front.
Admiral Birilef left ST Petersburg
for Vladivostok today by special train.
The admiral expects to reach his port
before Rojestvensky arrives. Several
train loads of coal are on the way to
Vladivostok.
Part of Fleet Located.
Shanghai. May est is creditably
reported five volunteer cruisers of the
Russian feet. accompanied by three
colliers and a Russian cruiser. arrived
at the mouth of Yangtse river this af-
ternoon. Later the cruiser departed
and the three came to Woosing tonight
Delayed DIspateh.
Harbin. Manchuria. May 16-(Pre-
sumably held up by the censOrD-
There is immediate promise of the most
important events since the Russian re-
treat from Mukden. japanese who are
preceded by Chinese bandits in their
employ, are making a series of demon
strations along the trade route north
of FakOman.
spring IL Late.
The Russians are finding great diff
Guilty in constructing trenches and 9th
eT defense works. owing To the lateness
of the spring. Soldiers who have been
without shelter since the retreat from
Mukden have been digging dugouts for
protection against the snow. The
rainy season begins in June. when
conditions will be less favorable in
this vicinity for campaigning than
they were in south Manchuria.
Accomplished Little.
London. May 25-The Times today
publishes a dispatch from a correspon-
dent with the japanese army as fol
lows:
General Mistchenko after four days
abortive futter on the Japanese out
skirts. retired May % miles northwest
ward He made no attempt on the
japanese line OF communication"
LIneVItch Leading.
ST. Petersburg. May 25-The news
from the front continues to point to
the proximity of fighting on a large
scale. Lieut. Gen. Lineyitch sent
Lieut. Gen. Rennenkampfs Cossacks
on a daring expedition around Field
Marshal Oyamas left. Rennenkampf
succeeded in penetrating to the rear of
the Japanese. but paid dearly, his Cos
sacks being badly cut up.
Many believe that Gen. LineVitch is
trying to take the offensive out of
Field Marshal Oyama's hands.
CensorshIp Significant.
Newspaper correspondents al the
front are prevented by the censor from
/ telegraphing any intelligent views of
the situation. and this has always been
the precursor of important develop
ments. Gen. Linevitch has taken far
greater precautions than did Gen. Kur-
opatkin To prevent his plans leaking
out.
IL is stated that Gen. Linevitch has
| demanded the recall of Gen. Kuropat-
kin.
Mrs John A Palmer M