New-York tribune., 1904-08-13

The Ryeshite.nIs Sei@ure-Re0son
for Chinese InactlOn.

Crha-F Foo Aug 12-The Japanese torpedo boat
destroyers Asashio and Kasum which entered
the harbor under cover OF darkness last night
sent boarding party against the Russian tor
nedo boat DESTROYER Ryeshitelni. which had
previously been disarmed by the Chinese at.3:dO
o'clock this morning After fierce fight the
boarding party holsted the Japanese flag on tbs
Rveshitelni, and towed her out Of the harDor in
a northerly direction. Captain ShestakoVsky'
who was wounded. and twenty OF the crew OF
Aftv~one were saved by boats from the Chinese
cruiser Hai-Yung Seven swan ashore. landing
near the American Consulate. Some were
picked up by sampans. and three. including
lieutenant, were rescued by a lightship-
The Japanese aIege that they sent in gig to
the Ryeshitelni under flag Of truce. lieu
tenant ard interpreter. who made demand that
the Russians come outside and fight. The Rus
sian captain replied that his ship had been dis
armed. her engines disabled. and that the whole
matter was in the hands of the Chinese. The
Japanese were asked to investigate the dis
armament The japanese interpreter says that
he overheard the Russian captain give hurried
order in a low tone. the words not being dis
tinguisha BILE TO the interpreter. and Immediately
afterward the captain seized the japanese lieu
tenant and jumped overheard with him
Meanwhile the japanese destroyers had their
searchlights turned on the Russian ship. From
the deck of the IIghtshp observers could see this
ac.. which was followed by rifle shots and sabre
strokes and Russians jumping overheard
RUSSIANS TRY To BLOW UP VESSEL.
The fighting lasted ten minutes. when there
was an explosion which blew away the main
bridge. but did no damage TO the hull The
Russians by this time were almost all over
hoard The Japanese at once hoisted their flag
Presently searchlight from the Chinese
cruiser Hai-Chi disclosed a Chinese cutter along
side the Asashio. 1t remained there only
minute. and then went alongside the kasumi'
where it stopped equal length of time The
cutter then returned to the Hai-Chi-
There are uncouArned stories in circulation
that the Japanese fred at the Russians when
,bav ware in the water. and that they refused
to rescue any CT them
CHINESE ADMIRAL DECEIVED.
Interviews with Adntra. sab ana Captain
Ching, who Is in command OF the Ha- Yung. IN
dictate that the Chiress naval authorities were
more active than was at first supposed. When
the first japanese destroyer. towing the
Ryeshitens started nOrthward. the second Jap
anese destroyer steereG a course past the flag
ship and the cruiser Hal Chi.
The cruiser cleared Cor action and signalled TO
HvnirT
Sab Informed the commander Of the japanese
destroye- tina, the Ryeshitelni must be returned
as neutrality had been hAgrantly violated To
this the commander OF the second destroyer re-
Piled that ne would Overtake the arst destroyer
and return to Che-Foc.
AdrnIra! Sab accepted the word OF honor OF
the Japanese commander and allowed him to de
part. The Chinese admiral is deeply ehagrined
al this occurrence and is I'll as a result. lie has
turned the command of the squadron CVeT 20
Captain Ching
AILEGEn JAPANESE DCPILCITY.
Captain Ching says that when the japanese
destroyers entered the harbOr of Che-Foo he
sent an officer on board and assured Commander
FuimOtS that the Ryeshiten was disabled and
that her officers and crew lad signed parole
Later the admiral followed his messenger and
personally repeated this Information at length
whereupon Commander FujimOto said ne had no
designs on the RyeshitelIi- Admiral sab next
sent an officer i'm small boa 10 the lightship.
which was neac he Ryeshitelni 10 watch de-
VelopmeDts
Captain Shestakoysky, feeling unsafe request
ed ttat hts ammunition and one torpedo be re-
turned q him or a Chinese cruiser prepare 10
guard hi.c. Tc this the Chinese odfce~ on tI.e
lightsh!p replied that he had bee3 ordered
mercy 20 report Developments. Accordingly
Captalu Sllestakovsky assembled his crew and
addressed them saying that attack was pos
sible. All the men Of the Ryeshitelri slept tha:
nigh, On deck with life preservers under their
heads.
When the lieutenant from one OF the japanese
destroyers boarded the Ryeshiteni at 800
o'clock IN the morning, the crew which brought
him with bayone;s fixed to their rifles I'm their
hands followed their officer. Captain Shesta-
koysky protested against this s1ying: i am
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