The Tomahawk., 1904-08-18
RUSSIANS FO|LED
BY ADMIRAL TOGO
ATTEMPT OF FLEET TO ESCAPE
FROM PORT ARTHUR RE-
SUITS IN BIG BATTLE.
DOOM OF FORTRESS
THOUGHT TO BE NEAR
Engagement Lasts Until Dark-Two
of Czar's Ships Return to Harbor-
Vladivostok Believed to Have Been
Objective of Fleet.

OF CZar>S SHIPS heCuIu W 4oA OoA
Vladivostok Believed to Have Been
Objective of Fleet.
Toxic, Aug. 12-Evidently driven to
sea by the fire Of the Japanese land
batteries, the Russian fleet emerged
from Port Arthur Wednesday morning.
Admiral Togo Immediately closed in
and opened severe engagement, which
lasted until nightfall. Afterwards the
Japanese destroyers and torpedo f1otil-
las delivered a series of attacks. The
Japanese fleet withdrew during the
night. A guardship stationed off the
harbor reported that she saw at dawn
Thursday the battleships Retvizan and
Pobieda steaming toward the harbor OF
Port Arthur. Admiral Togo has not
yet reported the results of Wednesdays
engagement 1t is thought here that
the Russians attempted to escape sea-
ward, from base which is no longer
tenable, but that they again refused to
attempt to force Admiral Togo's line.
Details are expected
Hard Blow to Russians.
Chefoo, Aug. 12.-Another destructive
blow at the Russian fleet is believed to
have been struck by Admiral Togo off
Port Arthur. In desperate battle, which
ragged all day, the Japanese admiral has
at least partially foiled the attempt of
the Port Arthur fleet to escape. The full
results of the battle are unknown. Driv-
en- desperate by the terrific fire from the
Japanese land batteries around Port Ar
thur, the Russian fleet, consisting of ten
large warships, emerged from the har-
Dor early in the morning and made a
wild dash for the open sea. Admiral
Togo Immediately gave chase and the
battle ensued.
Squadrons to Join.
Capt. Rostchavoski of the Russian
torpedo destroyer Ryeshitelnl, which
emerged from Port Arthur with the fleet
Wednesday morning and which arrived
here early Thursday morning, confirms
previous statements that the large
Russian warships had left Port Arthur,
but refused to say directly that the
fleet had gone on an extended cruise,
but left the inference in the course of
long interview, that the warships
expect to join the Vladivostok squad
ron, which he said had been recruited
by the purchase of ships from the Ar
gentine republic Capt Rostchavoski
said further that the Russian torpedo
boats, gunboats and small craft gener-
ally remained at Port Arthur. Some
came out to perform their usual duties
in the vicinity, but they did not follow
the big ships.
The steamer Tung Chow reports that
she sighted six warships, which she be-
lieved to be Russian, in the vicinity of
Chefoo. An unconfirmed report has
been received Of naval battle near
Round island
Jap Cruiser Sunk.
Chefoo, Aug. 12.-It is reported that
the Japanese protected cruiser Kasagi
was sunk off Round Island in the recent
engagement The Russian ships, before
leaving Port Arthur, took on board
heavy stores, machinery and material
for ship repairing. The torpedo boat de-
stroyer Ryeshitelni has been dsman-
tied by the removal of the breeches of
her guns.
The Russian squadron left Port Ar
thur in response to imperative orders
from Vice Admiral Skrydloff. A semi
official telegram reports that the Russian
battleships Pobieda and Retvizan have
returned, damaged, to Port Arthur.
Three Japanese torpedo boat destroyers
are now outside this harbor watching
lncfrN or
Ryeshitelni, which still flies the Russian
flag.
Preparing for Squadron.
Vladivostok, Aug. 12-Preparations
are being completed here for the recep-
tion and protection of the Port ArthuE
squadron The departure of the squad
ron from Port Arthur is generally inter-
preted to indicate that the siege of the
fortress is entering on it's final stage.
The preservation of the squadron is con-
sidered to be vital to Russias future
plans, and, while it is acknowledged
that it's departure will greatly weaken
the defensive power of the garrison,
without the capture of the squadron the
fall of the fortress would be robbed of
much of it's strategic Importance. The
smaller ships probably were left behind
on account of their slow speed and in
adequate fighting power, while the tor
pedo boat destroyers would constitute
constant menace to the japanese fleet
outside.
Definite news of the result of the re-
ported battle outside Port Arthur is
awaited here with feverish anxiety.
Even if the squadron succeeded in get
ting through the Japanese ships, it is re-
allied that it runs desperate risk in try
ing to reach Vladivostok, as Admiral
Togo's fleet is larger, of superior
strength and faster than the Russian
squadron. Besides, the straits of Korea
are understood to be mined and the
squadron probably will be compelled to
take the longer route around Japan. It
is believed that the purpose of the Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyer Ryeshitelni