Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-05-25
SQUADRON MAY BE SPLIT UP
EXPERTS THINK BATTLE lMMl
NENT OR THAT BASE Is
ESTABLISHED.
bIRILEFF is TO BE SUPREME
CAR NAMES HIM FOR SUPREME
NAVAL COMMANDER IN THE
PACIFIC.

Paris, May q. The apparently
complete disappearance Of the Rus
sian Far Eastern fleet leads to the be-
lief either that a battle is imminent
or that Admiral Rojestvensky has
succeeded in establishing a naval
base On the other hand it is pointed
out here that the position OF the fleet
on May 16, in latitude 10 80 and longi-
tude 111.30, indicated that it might
have been decided to follow course
north of Luzon into the Pacific in
stead of going through the straits of
Formosa, where Admiral Togo is be-
lieved to be awaiting Admiral Rojest-
vensky.
Makes It Hard for Japs.
1t is maintained that the Japanese
difficulties have been increased by
their inability to determine whether
the Russians are proceeding unitedly
or have divided their fleet into two
sections. Some experts maintain the
fleet has been divided for the purpose
of permitting enc division to reach
Vladivostok while the ether occupies
the attention of Admiral Togo. Naval
circles here are disposed to criticise
the Japanese tactics in failing to har-
rass Rojestvensky's transports during
the lengthy period Of taking on sup
plies. The results of Rojestvenskys
movements are Being awaited with in
int in off oio oil ri
Birieff to Be Supreme.
st. Petersburg, May 21.-Vice Ad-
miral Birileff, who has been named
for the supreme naval command in
| the Pacific, will leave for Vladivostok
on May 20 to assume charge there and
make preparations for repairing and
retitting the vessels of Vice Admiral
| Ko1estvensKy"s meet wren tTry t,Ir,~~5.-
| BY imperial command Vice Admiral
Birileff Will have all the rights and
! powers of a commander of the army,
and the commander of the Vladivos-
| tok garrison will be subject to his or
| ders, thereby avoiding the possibility
| Of any conflict of authority in case of
siege, as at Port Arthur.
81 have no intention of relieving
| Vice Admiral Rojestvensky of the i'm
| mediate command of the fleet, if he
is we'll and able to perform his duties
Oh his arrival at Vladivostok,'' said
the admiral, who is small of stature
and short of hair, but keen and alert
in bearing. II have respect for his
qualifications as fleet commander
and there will be plenty for us both
to do"
The dispatching of the reinforcing
squadron. consisting of the battleship
Slav and Tlexander ILL.,, two cruisers
and number of torpedo boat destroy
ers and gunboats, the admiral said, is
fixed for the middle of June.
Japs Assuming Offensive.
Gunshu Pass, May 21.-The weather
has cleared and the roads washed out
by the recent rains are impassau!e
quagmires, but they will soon dry.
The present truce is expected to be
broken by the Japanese. They are
showing every evidence of prepara-
ton to assume the offensive, constant
ly shifting positions and pressing the
Russian left, where the cavalry forces
are daily exchanging shots.
The demonstration on the Russian
left, however, is probably only feint
to cover the real stroke at the right.
This is the more probable because of
the care with which the Japanese are
screening their movements on their
left, using Chinese bandits freely for
this purpose.
The attempts of the Russian scouts
to pierce the curtain have not been
successful.
Japs Press Forward.
st. Petersburg, May 21.-A dispatch
from Gen. Lineyitch. dated May Is,
says:
+ "a small detachment of tn eenemy
May Is occupied Yaldi pass, on the
front Of the armies. The Japanese
also attempted to occupy Shahotse,
but were repulsed and returned south
ward. The same day the japanese ap-
preached Honukhu. about six miles
south OF Taul, but were forced to re-
tire"