Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-03-31
fVI flRI SHIPS ARC SENT IN
RuoolAN WARSHlP ToRPE0oE9
LEADING SHIP AND EN-.
CAGES ENEMY.
RUSSIAN ADMIRAL OFFERS BATTLE
OUT JAPANESE COMMANDER
REFUSES CHALLENGE AND
s"- SAILS AWAY.

et. Petersburg. March 20. - Under
cover Of darkness yesterday morning
Vice Admiral Togo made another
desperate attempt to bottle up the
Russian feet in Port Arthur. but he
failed again, and when. after daylight.
Vice Admiral Makaroh steamed out
TO give battle the Japanese command
or refused the challenge and sailed
away.
The Japanese practically repeated
the tactics Of Feb. "a, by sending In
avs fire ships. accompanied by tor
pedo boat hotilla, with the exception
that the fire boats this time were
armed with Hotchkiss guns for the
purpose Of keeping OF the Russian
torpedo boat destroyers.
Spotted by searehiIohta.
The enemy's intention was discov-
cred by means Of shore searchlights,
and . heavy IRE was maintained by
the batteries and the two gunboats
which guard the entrance of the har-
Dor. The Russian torpedo boat de-
stroyer Silna was outside on scouting
duty, and to the dash and nerve OF
her commander, Lieut.. Krinizki, Is
chiefly due the complete defeat OF the
plans Of the Japanese. He at once
made straight for the oncoming ships
under a hail of fire from the Hotch-
kiss guns and torpedoed the leading
ship, which sheered of, followed by
the others. three Of them being
Piled Up on the Shore
under Golden Hill and one under the
lighthouse. The Silna then engaged
the entire six torpedo boats of-the
enemy. coming out from = terrific
fight with seven killed and her COM
mander and twelve Of her compile
ment wounded, but on the Japanese
side only one boats crew was saved.
In addition, according to unomcial
reports, it is believed the Japanese
lost two torpedo boats. The Japanese
cruisers which supported the attack,
exchanged shots with the battery ana
then drew OF, after which Admiral
Makaroff took q steam launch and
examined the fre ships.
Makaroff Offers Battle.
An hour later the japanese torpedo
dotilla. followed by Admiral Togo's
aeet came up from q southerly direc-
ton. Just at daybreak Admiral MAX
aro1. with his fleet, sailed out to en-
raee the enemy, but after the ships
and batteries had fred few long dis
tance shots Vice Admiral Togo de-
cided to decline the issue and olsap-
reared to the southwark.
The news of the repulse of Vice
Admiral Togo's second attempt to
block Port Arthur created much re-.
1oicing in the Russian capital, ana
among all classes the gallantry OF the
ailna and her commander is the sub
iect Of high praise, but above all
The Moral Effect
Of Vice Admiral Makaroh's willing
ness to engage the enemy showing
that he considers himself strong
enough to fight, produced splendid
impression. ..
In high official circles this new ef-
fort to bottle up the Russian feet Is
looked upon as meaning only one
thing, namely. that the Japanese are
preparing for 4 heavy landing OF
troops in the Gulf Of Lao Tung. eth
or At Neuchwang or on the west soast
of the Manchuria neutral zone. to ef-
feet which in safety the immobility OF
Pice Admiral Makarotf's fleet is
Absolutely Essential
while the transports are being con.
vowed around the southern end Of the
peninsula. If the attempt had sue
ceeded it would have required several
davs at least to blow up the steam
era and clear away the wreckage,
during which time the Japanese
vould he assured of non-interference
In carrying out their purposes.
The failure of the Japanese yester'
day morning may seriously hamper
their plans as the ice in the Lao
river is going out, and when the river
n free its mouth can be easily
mined.
The conviction continues to grow
here that the japanese have conclud'
ed that It would be inadvisable to
make Z -...-.-....
Direct Frontal Attack
IN Manchuria from Korea against the
whole Rre&ieu e~"r~ a"@ go