New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-18
RUSSIANS AT SONG CHIN,
Continued from FIRST page

will be continued while the present great ma
| tonal problem lies before US. The goal is yet
distant. Take the best care OF yourselves, that
all may be enabled to finish the great work ex-
peCted.
The success Of Admiral Togo's plan Of laying
counter mines is due largely to a series of care
full observations made by the Japanese In their
previous attacks on Port Arthur. The japanese
saw the Russian fleet leave the harbor and re-
turn TO It several times and they discovered that
the Russian warshps followed the same course
every time they came out or went in. evidently
for the purpose Of avoiding their own mines.
The japanese took bearings. and the destroyer
divisions Of the japanese torpedo otiiIa laid the
counter mines on the night of April 12-13 along
this course. The laying Of these counter mines
was exceedingly perious. because. If any Jap
anese boat with mines board had been struck
by lucky Russian shot she would have been
annihllated.
The weather Of the night OF April 1918 IA
vored the work There was a heavy rain the
| night was dark and cloudy and the Russian
searchlghts playing over the channel failed TO
reveal the presence OF the japanese destroyers
Rear Admiral Dewa in command OF the
japanese squadron which decoyed the Russian
| ships over the field of mines. His squadron con-
sisted of the cruisers Chitose. Yoshino Kasagi
and Takasago all unarmored vessels which pre-
sented a tempting bait for the heavier Russian
| ships
DECoYING THE RUSSIAN FLEET.
| vice-Admiral Togo directed the flank attack
He had the battleships Hatsuse. Mlkasa. Asahi
Shikishima. Yashma and Full. He waited
! thirty miles out at sea until Rear Admiral Dewa
signalled him by wireless telegraphy to come
! In. His vessels then dashed at full speed tow
ard the entrance of the harbor.
All the battIeships under Vice Admiral Togo
are capable Of speed Of eighteen knots. and
they quickly covered the distance. II is not
clear what warned the Russians that they had
been trapped but they probably dlscerned the
/ battleshlp squadron on the horizon and re-
treated precipitatey 70 the harbor. vice-Ad-
mral Togo did not succeed in preventing the
Russians from entering. but did force them TO
disastrous retreat. which ended in the de-
struction Of the Petropavlovsk and the dis
abling Of the Pobieda.
After this the cruisers Nisshin and Kasuga
were used to lombard Port Arthur. They pos
sess the highest sngled guns In the feet capa-
BILE of throwing shells to the elevated Russian
land works. which beyond the reach Of the
average naval weapon.
REGRET AT 1IAKAROFF's DEATH
Expressions Of regret at the death Of Vice
| Admiral Makaroff are general here Speaking
| for the naval staff. Commander Ogasawara has
| published a long statement. IN which he Iaments
| the death of the Russian Vice-Admiral and pro-
| nounces It TO be loss 70 the navies Of the
| world. Commander Ogasavara reviews the llfe
| professional career and the personal attributes
OF Vice-Adniral Makarof. and says that he is
| entitled to be classed with the best admirals In
| the world.
| The Koryu, which took part In the latest at
| tack on Port Arthur, is a torpedo depot ship.
| under Commander Oda- Oda is a mine expert
| and the success OF the Japanese CO -ntermnng
| operations due largely TO his ingenuity and
| bravery.
The Japanese report that the wreck Of the
| Petropavlovsk lies southeast Of Golden Hill.
| one mile outside the entrance to the harbor.