Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-13
The War in the Far East.


A report has been received in st.
Petersburg from viceroy Alexief saying
that the Russian torpedo transport Yeni-
sci has been blown up as the. result of
accidentally striking mine at Port Ar
thur. The Yenisel sank, and Capt. Step
anof, three officers, and ninety-one men
were lost.
Baron Hayashi, the japanese Minister
in London, has received dispatch from
Toxic announcing that on February III
two japanese merchant steamers, the
Nakanoura Maru and Zensho Maru
while on their way from Sakata to Otaru
ION the island of Hokkaido), we're sur
rounded and shelIed by four Russian
warships presumably the Vladivostok
squadron, off the coast of Herunshi (Oku-
shir?) The Nakanoura Maru was sunk,
but the Zensho Maru escaped, and ar
rived safety at Fuknyama Gsland OF Hok-
kaido)
The London Daily Mail learns the ia
panese will bring into use new explo-
sive, which is alleged to be more power
full than any hitherto discovered.
The Russian government asked per-
mission to dock disabled torpedo-boat
destroyer at Suez, but this request was
refused, as the authorities at Port Said
had surveyed the destroyer and declare d
her fit to proceed.
The correspondent of the London
Times at Wel-Hai-Wei, in dispatch
dated February IL, says the steamer Flu
Ping, which is taking japanese refugees
to Shanghai, has brought the following
account of the Port Arthur engagement;
The Japanese attack was resumed in the
morning, when another battleship was
disabled and beached. The fire from the
forts compelled the japanese to retire.
The Russians appeared to be completely
demoralized and their torpedoes were
useless against the japanese. The Flu
Ping, which was flying the British flag,
moved out, as she held the Russian per-
nit to 90. The Russian guardship, how
ever, fred three shells at her, which
resulted in the wounding of five of her
Chinese crew. Capt. Gray, commanding
the Flu Ping, then boarded the guardship
and obtained permission to proceed, after
he signed a promise not to divulge what
had occurred. The Russians said they
were very sorry they had fred on his
ship.
The st. Petersburg correspondent OF
the London Daily Telegraph claims ,un-
Improbable authority to declare that in
the event of Russia being defeated in
the far East Germany will make a diver
sion in her favor likely to have far
reaching results.
A dispatch from Chefoo says that the
American consul has reported to United
States Minister Conger that the Russian
authorities have refused to allow the
American steamer Pleaides to leave
Port Arthur. The Pleiades sailed from
Seattle on February 2 with a cargo OF
-four.
Vice Admiral Togo's official report of
the attack of the japanese feet at Port
Arthur reached Toxic late yesterday
afternoon. A translation of Vice Ad-
miral Togo's report follows: After the
combined fleet left Sasebo on February
6 everything went as planned. AT mid
night, February s, our advance squadron
attacked the enemy at Port Arthur. At
the time the enemy's advance squadron
was for the most part outside of Port
Arthur. Of the advance squadron at
least the battleship Poltava, the pro-
tected cruiser Askold, and two Others ap-
reared to have been struck by our tor
pedoes. On February at noon our
fleet advanced in the offing of Port
Arthur bay and attacked the rest
of the enemy's ships about forty
minutes. The result of the attack is
not yet known, but it is believed
considerable damage was inflicted on
the enemy, and |. believe that they
we're greatly demoralized. They stopped
fighting about l o'clock and appeared
to retreat into the harbor. In this ac-
ton the damage to our fleet was very
slight, and our fighting strength is not
in the least decreased. The number of
killed and wounded was fifty EIGHT. OF
these four were killed and ifty-four
wounded. A report of the engagement
of the squadron at Chemulpo has prob
ably been sent to you already directly
by Adrimal Uric, as our advance squad
ron bore the brunt of the enemy's fire,
and after the attack, for the most part,
reioined the main fleet. The imperial
princes on board the ships are unframed.
The conduct of all our officers during the
action was cool, not unlike that during
the ordinary maneuvers. Since the bat
tie their spirits have been high, but
their conduct was very calm during the
battle. This morning, owing to heavy
south wind, there has been no communi-
cation between the ships, and no detail
ed report has been received from each
vessel, so | report merely the above
facts"
TODAY'S DISPATCHES.
London, Feb. 13.--Another day and
night have passed, and still no official
information has been received to relieve
the suspense regarding the present
status of the situation in the far East
The fact that Admiral Togo dated his
dispatch, concerning recent operations,
at sea, without giving an inkling as to
his exact whereabouts, confirms to a
large degree the belief felt in .semi-oti-
cial circles here that Japan is doing her
utmost to cover the movements of her
fleets, and strike at time and place
least expected. A Tien Tsin rumor