Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-16
YESTERDAYS BoMBARDMENT.
Jap Squadron Attacked Port Arthur in
Two Divisions.

PORT ARTHUR. Friday. April Is (de-
layed in transmission).-At o'clock this
morning a small Japanese squadron APP
peared on the horizon and soon drew Off,
but at about 10 o'clock hostile feet, num-
bering twenty-three vessels, was again
sighted.
They formed in two divisions, one taking
up position behind Cape Liao-Shan, she'll
ing the shore and the Tiger peninsula,
while the other bonibarded the Golden Hill
and other batteries from a point opposite
the roadstead. The fire was continued in
termittently until I o'clock in the after
nCon The Russian ships replied with an
indirect fire and made good practice, one
shot damaging japanese cruiser. Ac-
cording to some reports two japanese ships
were injured.
There was no damage done to the forts or
the town. Some Chinese were killed and a
few Chinese and Russians were wounded
Attack Practically Without Results.
ST PETERSBURG. April Is. 1905 pm
No further details have been received of
yesterdays bombardment of Port Arthur,
except that 1t was practically without re-
suits, so far as injury to the ships or forth
fications is concerned. The loss of life was
insignificant.
The mystery of the sinking of the battle
ship Petropaylovsk has not been cleared up.
That she touched a mine placed by Jap
anese torpedo boats during the night is not
officially admitted but there Is a growing
disposition in unofficial quarters to accept
this as possibly being the true explanation
That the mine was laid by a ruse of the
Japanese Is generally believed, although
some speculation is INDUCED in, which may
almost be described as fantastic. For ex-
ample, the possibility Of the introduction of
an Internal machine into the coal bunkers
is advanced as an explanation of the ex-
plosion, which undoubtedly occurred on
board the battle ship. The only thing af-
firmed with absolute certainty is that it
was not japanese shell, as no fighting
was in progress.
Scout Theory Of Submarines.
All the papers scout the theory of the
destruction of the Petropavlovsk having
been caused by a submarine boat, except
the Novoe Vremya, which indignantly re-
jects the idea that Vice Admiral Makaron
committed unIntentional suicide by being
blown up by one of his own mines. contend
Ing that both the PetrOpavlovsk and Po-
bieda were struck by tOrpedoes fired from
submarine boats. affirming its conviction
that the two new Japanese cruisers which
appeared with the feet for the first time
on this occasion brought with them cou-
pie of English or American submarine
boats, and limiting that they might have
been manned by British sailors.
mere IS coLSiueTdDie crltiCisui al tIie Hicet-
gerness of the official dispatches, some Of
the papers strongly appealing to the en-
peror for full, complete information. saying
the empire and people are ready to make
sacrifices and are strong enough to accept
any news, even the worst, adding that the
emperor's subjects desire something more
than a repetition of Gen. Souvoroufs ia
nous telegram sent during the Turco-Rus-
sian war, reading: "Ismaila lies at the feet
of your majesty.
The Novosti complains especially at the
absence of newspaper kilograms from the
numerous correspondents at the front, ar
guing that 1t will weaken popular interest
In the war; resulting In cutting down the
stream Of contributions to the war fund.
a