The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-10
AT ANCHOR.
Russian Fleet Sighted $50 Miles
From Singapore.
Four japanese Warships Near
Saigon April Z.
HEADED MANILAWARD.
American Warships on Lookout
for Neutrality Violations.
st. Petersburg Appears Elated
Over Outlook for a Fight.


Singapore, Straits Settlements, April
10.-The latest Information in regard
to the Russian squadron commanded
by Rear Admiral Enquist, which
passed here Saturday afternoon, was
brought here today by the British
steamer Gregory Apcar. The latter
sighted the Russian ships % miles
northeast of Manko, one of the islands
of the Anambas group. about 100
miles north-northeast of Singapore.
The Russians were at anchor when
the Gregory Apcar approached them.
Information has also been received
here to the effect that four warshipss
apparently japanese, were off Cape
st. James, near Saigon, April Z.
American on Lookout.
Manila, April 1O-The American
vice consul at Singapore reports that
6. Russian fleet consisting of six bat
tIeshfps, six cruisers, six converted
cruisers, eight torpedo boat desUroyers
one hospital ship, one repair ship and
sixteen colliers have passed Singapore
headed this way.
The American cruiser Raleigh, the
torpedo boat destroyers Barry and
Chauncey and the supply ship Gen 4
eraI Alvado have been dispatched to
patrol the west coast of PalaWan
island to enforce neutrality. Three
other destroyers are preparing to sail.
Japanese Are Delighted.
Toxic, April 10.-Vice Admiral R0-
jestvensky's- second Pacific squadron
has not been reported here since it
passed Singapore. Its whereabouts
and the plans OF Vice Admiral ROjest-
vensGy are subjects of the keenest
general speculation.
a 1t is quite generally assumed that
Vice Admiral ROjestyensky doesn't de-
sire an imm ediate battle and that he
Will attempt to reach Vladivostok. I
where there are docks and shops or
seize a base. The latter course is
deemed unsatisfactory on account of
poor facilities and the danger of po-
htical complications. Many believe
that the Russian naval commander
has second rendezvous in the Pa
ciftC ocean and that he will speedily
quit the China sea and go eastward Of
the Philippines. If WladivOstOk is his
objective the Pacific is considered to
be more favorable for the accomplish (
ment Of his purpose although it large |
ly depends on Vice Admiral ROjest- |
Vensky himself.
The Japanese newspapers and pub
lie express relief and pleasure over
the approach of the Russian second
Pacific squadron as well as confidence
in the ability of Admiral TOgo-s feet
TO vanquish it.
St. Petersburg Is Elated.
Of enthusiasm aroused in military and
naval circles at the prospect of a sea
fight which may change the whole com
pleXlon or the war finds no echo in the
liberal press which views with some
lhlng akin to alarm even the remote
possibility of a turn of fortune which
would strengthen the government at
home The chauvenistic organs, how
ever, are filed with long articles dis
cussing Admiral Rojestvenky's chances
hl1f q a r4,
that the whole squadron has reached
the China sea. The NovOe Vrenva
highly conlmends the admiral for fav-
ing safely accomplished the difficult feat
OF bringing the squadron through, de-
caring the Gle is now cast. The bourse
Gazette manifests undisguised pleasure
at the scare in British shipping circles
and the furry in Insurance rates pro
dueed by the sudden appearance of the
Russian squadron off Singapore after
the British had convinced themselves
that the squadron would never go to the
far east,
Japan" says the Bourse Gazette.
now stands to loseNthe mastery of the
successes on land"
Other papers express doubt as to
whether a sea fight is imminent e,~
pressing the opinion that Roiestvenslv
is likely to await Rear Admiral Nebo
gaton and that Admiral Togo win re
tire closer to his base before acceptiner
battle
Strict orders have been issued to the
officers on duty at the admiralty NOT 70
make public any portion of the lone re-
port which arrived yestel day from Sing
apore.
Nothing is proCurable in regard to +te
whereabouts of the battleshiD Kniaz
SOuvaron and other Russian warsbiTs
reported to be missing from the SQUAD
ron which passed Singapore. It is said
they may be following as a second 5i-
vision. No anxiety IS manifested. at tl1e
admiralty where the Associated Press
was informed in reply to a question thar
the foreign press and the japanese
We're probably more worried about the
location of the vessels than we are
There is reason to believe that Ro-
Jestvensky is on board the Knfaz
Souvarof and that the division which
passed Singapore Saturday is in com
naand Of a rear admiral.
Seas of Mud
Harbin, April Authorization re-
ceived at the Russian headquarters
seems to definitely establish the fact
that only Chinese bandits under the
lead OF japanese officers together with
Some japanese cavalry are operating
westward toward Tsitsihar. their object