New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-02
DESTROYERS REPULSED.
Wittsoeft Says an Vessels Re
entered HarbOr on June "a.

St Petersburg. July EMPEROR Nicholas has
| received the following dispatch from Viceroy
| Alexieff, dated June 80:
A report received to-day from the acting COM
mander Of the Port Arthur squadron states that
on the night of June % eight torpedo boats were
dispatched TO guard the roadstead seven miles
out TO sea.
The torpedo boats repulsed the enemy's tor
pedo boats which had approached. In this &C
ton Commander Ellisseien, Lieutenant Snlirnon
ana two bluejackets were wounded. All the
torpedo boats returned toward morning.
AT . O'clock the Novik. Diana, AskOld, Sevas-
topoI, Poltaya, CZareVitch, Pobieda, Peresvlet,
RetviZan, Bayan and Pallada steamed out into
the roadstead In line ahead and anchored Two
floating Japanese mines having been perceived
IN the roadstead the squadron remained at
anchor.
Meanwhile several small boats which had
been searching for mines discovered and eX-
ploded ten on the eastern side Of the roadstead
An examination showed that the mines were
probably laid in the night by two of the
enemy's torpedo boats which had approached
Port Arthur.
AT 2 p. m. the squadron preceded by a fotilla
OF mine dredgers, torpedo boats and the NoVik,
steamed In line ahead toward the open sea, nav
ing emerged from the roads without mlshap
The squadron shaped its course southwark, ana
the dredgers were sent back to Port Arthur. es-
corted by armed picket boats. Two japanese
scouts, with a detachment OF torpedo boats. were
keeping squadron in sight all the while.
Twenty miles from shore Japanese squadron
sighted steaming in division line ahead
which on drawing closer was found to be
posed of second class and four first class
battIeships four armored first class cruisers.
second class cruisers. five third class
cruisers, one scout boat, one steamer and thirty
torpedo boats In two divisions.
AS they approached the Japanese were seen
to be preparing to place division Of cruisers
and torpedo boats between the shore and our
squadron. in order that in the night they might
force, by persistent torpedo attacks, some of
ships to break the formation, and IN the
morning engage us with all their ships.
Taking into consideration the fact that the
enemys entire force greatly superior 10
ours and In view, also, of the large number or
japanese torpedo boats l decided to return To
Port Arthur in order to act according to cir
cumstances considering that this plan OF &C
ton laid US open to less risk OF loss
At p. m. squadron started on its return
to Port Arthur, a proceeding which the enemy
did not attempt to prevent nor did he attempt
TO approach.
At 10 o'clock the squadron reached the road
stead, where 1t cast anchor. At the same time
our rearmost warships successfully repulsed two
Japanese torpedo attacks.
enemy continued to make torpedo attacks in the
roadstead until daybreak. but the attacks were
always successfully repulsed.
In the morning there were found along the
coast near our waTships twelve Whitehead tor
pedoes which had been launched by the enemy
lowed to approach nearer than twelve cable
lengths.
The torpedo boats attacked IN groups. and at
least two of them were sunk. IN the morning
the bodies Of a Japanese officer and two sailors
We're washed up on the beach.
The successful repulse OF the torpedo boats
attacks in which several batteries took part,
In the morning all vessels entered port
at high tide.