The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-08-13
FOUGHT WITH Els FISTS.
Russian Captain Resisted to the
Last.

Chefoo, Aug. u, noon.-Captain
shestakovskoy Of the Ryeshitelni, who
was wounded IN the leg by a bullet,
and w sntv of his men were saved by
boats from The Chinese cruiser Hal
Yung.
Interviews with Admiral sab and
Captain Ching. VINO i IL command of
the Hal Xung. indicate that the Chi
pese naval authorities were more active
than was at first supposed When the
Tirst japanese tCG pedo boat destroyer,
towing the Ryesh- ielni, departed TO the
uorthWaTd, the second japanese de-
stoyer steered a course past the nag
ship and the cruiser Hal Chi The
latter cleared for action and signalled
10 the destroyer 10 stop. This was
done Adrnirai sab informed the COM
1nander of the Japanese destroyer that
the Ryeshitelni must b. returned, as
neutrality had been 1agrantly violated
To this the commander Of the second
destroyer replied that he would over
lake the first destroyer and return 10
Chefoo. Admiral sab accepted the
a1ord Of honor Of the Japanese com
snsnder and allowed him TO depart. The
Chinese admiral is deeply ehasrined at
this occurrence and is i'll as q result
lie has turned the command of his
squadron over to Captain Ching.
was 4 uR1 y A44AoL4ASA.
Captain Ching says that when the
Japanese destrOyers entered the har-
Dor of Chefoo he sent an officer on
board and assured Commander Fuji-
motto that the Ryeshitelni was disabled
and. thar her officers and crew had
signed a parole. Later the admiral
followed his messenger and personally
repeated this information at length.
whereupon Commander FuiimOto said
ne had no designs on the Ryeshitelni-
Admiral sab next sent an officer in a
small boat 10 the lightship, which was
near the Ryeshitelni, TO watch develop
nents
captain Shestakovsky. feeling fnse-
cure. requested that his ammunition
and one torpedo be returned to him, or
Chinese cruiser prepare to guard
him To this the Chinese officer on the
lightshlo replied that he had been or
dered merely 10 report Developments.
Accordingly Captain SATISFACTORILY. as
sem bled his crew and addressed them,
saying that an attacked was possible.
All the men of the Ryeshitelni slept
that night on deck, with life preservers
under their heads
Captain Protested.
When the lieutenant from one Of the
japanese destrOyers boarded the Ryes-
morning the crew OF the boat which
brought him. with bayOnets affixed 10
their rifles in their hands. followed
their officer. Captain ShestakOvsky pro-
tested against this. saying. Il am I'M
able 10 resist but this is a breach of
neutrality and courtesy"
Captain Shestaz0vsky then secretly
commanded one OF his lieuteuants to
prepare gUupowder with which to blow
up the Russian destroyer. To gain the
time necessary TO make ready for this
step Captain SATISFACTORILY argued in
1ernauonel law with the japanese lieu
tenant, whose reply TO all the C0nten-
tons of the Russian officer invariably
vas; Come to the open sea and fight
or prepare TO be tOWed out
In the meanwhile. the command was
issued quietly TO the Russian sailors TO
resist the japanese with their fists. IN
the manner which would be shown them
By their captain.
Continuing his account of the oc-
currence, Captain Shestakovsky said:
Struck the Lieutenant.
1.-THE japanese officer told me to sur
render and that as prisoner my life
would be spared. This Insult 50 stung
ire that / struck the japanese before I
intended 10. L was afraid that the eX-
DloslVe 10 blow UP our vessel had not
Yet been prepared Ny blow knocked
the lieutenant overheard. In falling
ne dragged me with him. He fell into
his small boat alongside. while I fell
into the water. I chung 10 his throat
and pummsled him until my hold WAS
broken"
The crew Of the Ryeshitelni in the
meanwhile, had begun lighting with
the japanese sailors, WHO used their
rifles and bayonFts. The lighting men
scudied over TIE deck and fell over
board in struggling pairs. after the ex-
ample accidentally set by their cap
tain. Captain ShestakOvsky, seeing
his men fighting on the deck of the
destroyer. attempted 10 climb back on
board and command them He was
shot Al four times and while in the
water he received a deep wound in
the right leg.