Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-12

Chefoo Aug 12 (8:30 a. m.l-At 3:3O o'clock this morning the Japanese tor pedo boat destroyers Asashio and Kasumi, which entered the harbor un- der cover of darkness last night, sent a boarding party against the Russian torpedo boat destroyer Ryeshitelni, which had previously been disarmed by the Chinese. After fierce fight the boarding party hoisted the Japan ese flag on the Ryeshitelni and lowed her out of the harbor in nOrtherly direction. Of her crew of forty-seven, seventeen have been accounted for. Captain Shestakevky is reported killed. Seven swan ashore, landing near the American consulate. Some were picked up by Sampans, and three, in cll1dipg lieutenant, were rescued by a light ship. The Japanese claim that they sent in gig to the Ryesh1teln1, under flag of truce, a lieutenant and interpreter, who made demand that the Russians come outside and nght. The Russian captain Sreplied that his ship had been disarmed, her engines disabled and that the whole matter was in the hands of the Chinese. The Japanese were asked to investigate the disarmament. The Japanese in terpreter claims that he overheard the Russian captain give hurried order in low tone, the words not being dis tinguishable to the interpreter. Inn mediately following the captain seized the Japanese lieutenant and Jumped overheard with him.
 Meanwhile the Japanese destroy CTS had their searchlights turned on the Russian ship. From the deck of the light ship observers could see this act which was followed by the shooting of rifles and sabre strokes and Rus sians jumping overheard. The fight ing had lasted ten minutes when an , explosion followed. The explosion blew away the main bridge, but did no damage to the hull. The Russians by this time were mostly all ever board. The Japanese at once hoiste0 their flags. Presently searchlight from the Chinese cruiser Hal Chal disclosed a Chinese cutter alongside the Asashio. It remained here only a minute and then went alongside the Kashumi, where 1t stopped an equal length of time. The cutter then re- turned to the Haf Chat. The inaction of the Chinese fleet Is unexplained so far. It is believed serious internation, al complications will result Irom the incident.
 There are unconhrmed stories in circulation that the Japanese fired at the Russians when they were in the water and that they refused to rescue any of them.
 The disarmament of the Ryeshitelni was completed last night and her flag was hauled down, the crew singing the national anthem. Tears coursed down the checks of Captain Chastak- 0vsky during the ceremony. It was evident all the preceding day that the necessity of abandoning his ship which had served him so well, greatly affected the captain, who won consid- erable renown while at Port Arthur. It is thought that when he discerned the purpose of the Japanese he gave a hurried order to blow up the ship. intending to end his life and that of his assailants with the life of the ship. i One of the reports in circulation states ] that the captain, who was severely wounded, was rescued and is now being secreted by his friends. It is presumed that the captain was wound ed, by the Japanese sailors who were wresting their lieutenant from him. Later reports claim that a majority of the Russians reached shore safely. 1t will be some time before this is ac- curately determined