Arizona republican., 1904-02-10
AN EVE WITNESS.
The Steamer Columbia Felt the Shock.
 e the Japanese Torpedoes.

Chee Foo, Feb. 9.-The steamer Co., lumbia has arrived from Port Arthur bringing news of the attack by the Japanese fleet upon the Russian fleet in the roads outside the harbor of Port Arthur. The Columbia was in the roads at the time and felt the first shock of a torpedo explosion at Il o'clock on Monday night.
 The attack continued all night, and at daylight this morning two Russian battleships and one first class Russian cruiser were seen to have been dis abled and beached at the entrance of the harbor. The cruiser was badly list ed to one side. This morning the Rus sian forts opened fire upon the Jap anese fleet, which was about three miles distant. The Japanese returned the fire, hitting several Russian ships, but doing small damage. The Russian cruisers then went out and the Japan ese vessels disappeared. They were seen later going in the direction of Dalny. apparently undamaged AL though officers of the Columbia say that there were seventeen ships in the attacking party. only sixteen were seen later in the day by the steamer Foo Chew.
 The Chinese sent one cruiser outside to watch the Japanese fleet. This ship was fired upon, and the other Russian ships took up their anchors and cruised around the road. The Japanese fleet came up within three miles and a bat tie commenced. The Japanese fired on the ships and forts, which replied Two Russian ships were struck by shells, but were only slightly damaged. hn -isr,, FI1T yf~t- lumbia steamed away while the battle was in progress, but later saw the Jap anese fleet leave. One Japanese cruis- CT with torpedo boats is reported north of Chee Eco.
 A member Of the crew of the steamer Columbia tells this story of the naval battle at Port Arthur: The Columbia was lying in the roads, surrounded by fourteen Russian battIeships and cruis- CTS. At 11:3O Monday night a severe shock was felt on board of the Colum- bia. The Russians immediately com menced to operate their searchlights and opened fire toward the sea. The firing lasted only a short time. At ] o'clock more shocks were felt, and the Russians again commenced firing The Japanese did not return the fire. At ? o'clock two Russian battleships went in and were beaChed across the en- trance of the harbor. They were soon followed by a Russian cruiser. which was also beached. None of the vessels were damaged above the water line"
 More shocks from torpedoes were felt during the early morning, and then all was quiet. At 10 o'clock Tues day morning three Japanese cruisers passed Port Arthur in view of the Russian fleet. The whole Russian fleet at once weighed anchor and went after them, but returned in half an hour. The two battleships disabled are the PoltaVa and the CzareVitcb. The dis abled armCred cruiser Boyarin and the grounded battleships block the en- trance to the harbor, preventing gun boats from going out and battleships and cruisers from going in and getting coal. Besides this. Japan has the Rus sian gunbCatS Nariag and Koretz caught at Chemulpo. They were bound for VladiVostock"
 The steamer Foo Chow, from Dalny, passed through the Japanese fleet to- day. The fleet consisted of six battle ships, four first class cruisers and six other vessels. They were eighteen miles from Port Arthur this morning, anu W pIONtGGlliS III d SOulDGdSlel- ly direction. The Foo Chow brought three hundred Japanese refugees.
 The Columbia had a narrow escape from injury. Her passengers and crew were very much excited in regard to her dangerous position. While going cut of the roads at Port Arthur, the Russian cruiser Novik got between the Columbia and Japan's fleet. Shells ,rbi Q NnNik CtrnrlS around the Columbia. Her flag was cut into shreds and one shell fell on her deck. The faces of those who were on deck were blackened with powder smoke.
 A naval officer who was recently at Port Arthur says the Russians were not prepared for the attack on their ships and had insufficient steam up. A boat patrolled the straits of Pc Chi Lii continuously, but apparently the Japanese torpedo boats were not mo- ticed until after the first torpedo was fired.
 The Russians fired, but the Japanese did not return the fire, and backed off. An hour later a discharge of torpedOes was repeated, after which the torpedo boats withdrew some distance.
 At 10 o'clock Tuesday morning the Japanese fast cruisers circled within view of the whole Russian fleet, but they were not engaged. The Russians returned toward the harbor after half an hour. The Japanese, continuing. came within three miles. A battle then began with the Russian forts and fourteen ships against sixteen Japan ese vessels. A few of the Japanese shots were effective, but the Russian shots fell short. The Japanese fleet was steaming toward Dalny when seen last. The steamer Columbia left just as the Tuesday morning contest began, and was unable to learn the result, though distant witness.
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