The Washington times., 1903-10-25

for no one expected to escape from the
second Invasion of the harbor.
The first hotilla consisted Of torpedo
boats Nos. p. ls, IL, and :; also the
Kot;tka
The moon went down at 2:30 O'Clock
on the morning Of the 18th. Immediately
the line Of boats came out from the
shadow OF the eastern headland and
made silently in the dark for the inlet
through the boom. One boat failed TO
make the entrance. No. q struck the
boom. but, putting on fun steam. rode
over It. Thus the Nos. 3. -. II and
KOtalza comprised the actual attacking
force.
A Strict Watch.
The Chinese. were on strict watch for
another attempt to enter the harbor.
Occasionally they fired at random to
frighten any approaching boats. and the
searchlights OF the men-of-war played
continuously over the water. Undis-
mayed. the four boats crept noiselessly
upon the big ships. Twice the search
lights passed over them. but they were
not discovered The Kotaka and No. %
headed for the ships in the center OF
the harbor. one abreast another. The
other two made for the western side OF
the harbor. No. IL being detailed TO find
the Chen-yuen. sister ship 10 the Ting
yuen, which was destroyed the night
previous Its search was vain. however.
and II retired without doing any dam
age The other boats had better for
tune. No q managed to get very near
the Wei-yuen. 1t slowed speed 10 render
fOrvadn took
instant effect, and the boat was sunk.
The steel battleship Lai-yuen was de-
stroyed by the kotaka and No. II. a
transport completed the loss sustained
on this night by the Chinese fleet. The
four torpedo boats escaped from the
attack unframed. Though fired at free
", they bore charmed lives and an
chored safely with the feet. amid great
cheering, as dawn began 10 break.
Irreparable Losses.
The Chinese squadron had sustained
irreparable losses by the japanese tor
pedo fotiIla. and the remainder OF the
program at Wei-hai-wei was soon exc
cuted Each day witnessed a heavy bonn
bardment Of the forts on the islands.
and men were set to work seVering
the boom which lay across the eastern
entrance. The Chinese torpedo fOtilla
was captured while attempting TO es-
cape from the harbor under cover of
the dense smoke which arose durias the
bombardment by the Yoshino The fire
from the land defenses added to the
discomforts OF the cornered fleet. Two
shells from fort on the eastern head
land burst simultaneously on the Ching
,a l.
On the 18th a small boat. flying a white
flag. with the Yellow Dragon. brought
Commander Ching Peih-kwang TO the
Natsushima. flagship Of the Japanese
squadron. with a letter Of surrender
from Admiral Ting. Admiral Ito replied
favorably. Commander Ching returned
on the 18th, bearing note from Admiral
Ting. thanking the Japanese admiral for
acceding TO his requests namely. the
| preservation OF the lives OF soldiers
/ and foreigners on the islands Com
mander Ching then announced that, up
/ on writing this note and communicating
with Ii Hung Chang. the brave but dis
appointed Admiral Ting had committed
| suicide The commanders of the Ting
yuen and of Llukung Island had follow
| ed his example.
| The conditions of capitulation Of Wei
hai-wei were then arranged between Ad-
miral Ito and Taotai New. representa-.
tive OF the Chinese fleet They wer,
signed on the 14th day of February. Or
the 18th the harbor OF Wei-hai-wei was
occupied by the Japanese fleet. and the
Rising Sun of Japan supplanted the Vel
low Dragon on the highland rampart'
and island forts. which England soor
after leased to checkmate Russia's oc
] cupation af Port Arthur.