Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28

TOKYO. May p. 2:15 p.m.-It is reported
that four Russian warships passed through
the Ilure straits to the westward of Japan
on May -. Tie names of the vessels are
unknown. but it is possible that they We're
light cruisers from Admiral Rojestvensky' s
fleet Kurile straits divide the peninsula
of Kamchatka and the northernmost Islands
of japan.
Information Withheld.
TOKYO. May 27.-Transmittable informa-
ton. concerning today's historic events in
the neghborhood of the TSu Islands, Is
limited to the bare fact that Rear Admiral
Rojestvensky's main fleet, steaming in two
columns with the battle ships the star
board and the cruisers and monitors on the
port side. appeared in the Straits of Korea.
All other information is withheld by the
Japanese authorities and cable transmits
sion of any other reference to the move
ments of the Russian fleet the move
ments of the Japanese is refused.
Confidence at Tokyo.
TOKYO. May 81. 2:45 p.m--All Tokyo IS
eagerly awaiting advices of an engagement
between the naval forces of Admiral Togo
and Rear Admiral Rojestvensky. 1t is be-
lieved that the fleet of Russian vessels seen
fighting strength of Rear Admiral Rojest-
vensky's forces and that after coaling
there the Russians bravely headed for Tsu
Islands. electing to give battle in the event
of meeting the warships under command OF
the Japanese admiral
The fact that Rear Admiral Rojestvensky
appears to have used the Formosan chan
mel has created surprise, and it was gen
orally expected that he would pursue
course eastward of Formosa This ncreas
es the belief that the Russians are anxious
to give battle.
1t is rumored that the Russian fleet di-
vided into two squadrons as they ap-
preached Korean channels today.
The navy department refrains from con-
frming or denying any of the score of re-
ports circulated through the capital today,
and has promised to advise the public in
good time of any Developments.
The people have received the news of the
prospective fight with elation, SO great is
their confidence in the prowess of Admiral
Togo While it is thought a portion of the
Russian fleet is certain to reach Vladi
vostok it is believed that Admiral Togo Is
bound to seriously cripple the main fighting
ships of his adversary.
Discussion of Naval Officers.
PARIS May 2I.-The naval situation in
the far east has been discussed between
French and American naval officers, the
latter including several admirals who took
part in the Spanish war. Both the French
and Americans took the view that the Jap
anese would permit the Russian fleet to
enter Vladivostok which thereafter would
become the scene of repetition of the
naval situation at Santiago and Port Ar
thur.
A French officer said 1t was characteristic
of Russian sailors to seek the support of
land fortiiications where they adopt a de-
fensive making sorties under cover of the
guns of the forts instead of adopting open
sea tactics. On the other hand it was
pointed out that the japanese had every
thing to gain in permitting the Russians
to enter Vladiyostok instead OF taking the
chances of sea fight. Once ms de Nladl-
vostok the Russians would require coal
and provisions and it would be impossible
to secure these as Field Marshal Oyama
Admiral Togo would prevent vessels from
carrying supplies to NIadivostok. This
would present much the same situation
at Santiago and Port Arthur. with the Rus
slams keeping under the shore defenses and
the Japanese maintaining blockade out
side and trying TO obstrrct the channels.
Both the French and American officers
believe that such a situation would result
in a prolonged delay, the final result de-
pending upon Ro5estvenskys audacity in
haZarding a sortie and a tight in the open