The Washington times., 1905-04-11
Japan in Secrecy
Prepares for Battle

TOKYO, April 1.-THE admiralty de-
clines to give out any news regarding
the movements of the Japanese fleet.
Press correspondents have been in
formed that the three squadrons which
are under the general command of Ad-
miral Togo will not DC heard from, in
all probability, through Tokyo sources
until the report of a fight comes through
one of the rear admirals.
The censorship is perfect prac-
tically, as ii was in the first few months
of the war
The naval officers in the admiralty
bureau are as courteous as ever, but
say 1t is impossible for them to de-
scribe the fleet movements They con-
firm the statement, however, that the
second squadron of the Russian navy
passed into the China sea after dawn on
Saturday.
May Know But Will Not Say.
If they know where the remainder of
the Russian feet is they do not con-
sider il wise to make public announce
ment OF the fact.
II can be said, however that the
Nladiyostok squadron, comprising three
powerful ships, is not giving much anx-
lety TO the japanese government. Just
Why this is so cannot be explained, but
there is little doubt that these three
vessels are no; regarded as factors TO
be reckoned with in any of the main
plans formed for the sea battle now not
many days away.
An interesting rumor, current since
last Saturday, that two of the Russian
battleships in Port Arthur and one of
the cruisers, said TO be the Bayan, have
been raised and are actually with Toso's
feet, cannot be confirmed, but the news
first came from Sasebo with every an
pearance of authority.
Three New Cruisers.
Three cruisers of the protected class
which were building when the war broke
out have been launched since January
So secret is the japanese government in
respect Of its fleet movement IL Is inn
possible 10 give the tonnage of these
ships, but generally 1t Is known that
their displacement is about $500 tons
Ihey are OF The type Of the 4Hashidate
and Akitsushina, built in the Yokohsuka
navy yard by japan in 1858
Ihese two last named protected cruis-
ers were in the battle with the Vladivos-
tok Meet In the Sea of Japan last sum-
mer. and gave great account of them
selves The new vessels will give Ja-
pan IN all fourteen of these protected
cruisers, which can take care of all the
russian fleet except the battleships
Japan Seeks Battle
The naval officers have not the slight
est doubt that the protected cruiser di-
vision will be able to do this. which
would give Admiral Togo his battleshin
squadron and his nine armored cruis-
ers, practically OF battleship type. an
opportunity 70 take care of the heavy
ships in the Russian feet
The opinion Is semi-officially expressed
mere that Admiral Togo will force the
hghting if he can. The tacticlans saw it
YOU'D not be good policy TOILET the big
shlps get into Nladiyosfok kilcre they
could be put into better fighting shane
and. because of the three channels run
ning from the outer harbor, be able at
night 10 go north or south In the Sea of
japan In Il running fight
In all probability the three Japanese
squadrons Will attempt to pick the Rus
sans up between the Philippine Islands
and Formosa. This guess NAV be much
out of the way as japanese tactics
never can be discounted. but the impress
SION is strong here among naval officers
mat Admiral Togo will attempt to meet
the main Russian fleet at least half way
from Fladivostok.
No Chance to Repair.
The crippled Russian ships in that
event would find no harbor in which 10
make repairs. If defeated off Formosa
they would have 10 make Shanghai or
Manila. and. of course, would be dis
mantled, practically becoming prizes of
war
1t would be preferable to meet them
between Formosa and the main isIa nds
OF Japan. il is pointed out as there
would be constant danger IN a blockade
of Vladiyostok, owing 10 increased In
geliuity in the handling Of sea mines.
"A blockade of the Russian fleet In
Nladivostok is the last thing that the
Japanese admiralty desires
IL would be a dangerous experiment.
and in addition, Admiral Togo would
have 10 make provision for meeting the
third squadron. now at Jibutil and the
fourth, which is to depart from the Bal
tic sea next month. For these reasons
II Is believed he will smash the Russian
feet at the first opportunity. or 1T least
destroy It's strength as much he can
with safety 10 his own ships