The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-08-20
JAPANESE GAIN
CONTROL OF SEA
hamimura Crushes Vladivostok Squadron in
Open Fight-Togo Administers Defeat
49, to Port Arthur Fleet.

sea and emerged from the port at nine
O'Clock. The squadron consisted of six
battleships, the cruisers Askold, Diana,
Pallada, and Novik, and eight torpedo
boats.
"The Japanese opposed us with the
following force: A first detachment,
consisting of the battleships Ashai, Mi
Hasa, Fuji, Yashima, and Shikishima,
and the cruisers Nisshin and Kasuga; a
second detachment, consisting of the
the cruisers Yakumo, Kasagi, Chitose
and Takasago; and third detachment,
consisting of the cruisers Akitsushima,
Idsumo. Matsushima, Itsukushima and
Hashidate, and the battleships Chin
Yen, with about 80 torpedo boats.
Broke Through Japanese Line.
"Our squadron Unanswered to gain a
passage through the line of the enemy's
ships. Meantime the japanese torpedo
boats were laying floating mines in the
way of our squadron, thus rendering ev-
olutions difficult.
AT one p. m. our squadron, after 40
minutes fighting, succeeded in effecting
passage and shaped it's course to-
wards Shantung. The enemy, following
at full speed, caught up with us slowly,
and at five o'clock fighting again be-
gan and continued for some hours with
out either side obtaining any advantage.
Admiral Without Killed.
I'm the battle the commander of our
squadron was killed and the captain of
the battleship Czarevitch was wounded
and lost consciousness. Almost at the
same time the engines and steering gear
of the Czarevitch were damaged, and it
was obliged to stop 40 minutes. This
forced the other ships to maneuver
around it, The command of the squad
ron devOlved upon Rear Admiral Prince
Ouktomsky, and the command of the
Czarevitch upon the second in COM
mand
May Surrender.
London, Aug. 1.-THE emperor Of
Japan has formally demanded the sur
render of Port Arthur. At the same time
he offered safe conduct to all the nom
combatants in the besieged stronghold.
A dispatch from Toxic, just received
here, states that reply to the demand
for surrender is expected to-day
Wednesday,.
There are many military men of high
standing here who believe that Gen.
Stoessel; after having for two months
made brilliant defense of the strong-
hold, will recognize the hopelessness Of
his situation and surrender in order to
save the lives that otherwise will he sac
rif1ced in resisting the inevitable storm
ing Of the stronghold by an army fou,
times as strong as his own.
The Russians have defended Port Ar
thur for more than two months. They
have fought score of desperate battles.
At times the soldiers have fought 48
hours at stretch without rest, food, or
sleep.
The Japanese have captured the heights
all around the land side of the city, and
Togo's guns command the approaches
from the sea. japanese shells are pour
ing into the city day and night. No re-
lief is possible. Port Arthur is doomed.
The Russians at St. Petersburg say So,
and for this reason it is believed that
Gen: Stoessel, on humanitarian grounds.
will surrender:
The mikados formal demand for the
surrender of the stronghold is taken to
mean that the Japanese are ready to
take the place by storm if it Is not given
up. Refusal to surrender doubtless, will
be followed by an immediate assault