Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-08-18
WAR NOTES.

The attempt of the Russian feet to
escape from Port Arthur was the most
interesting feature of last weeks wal
news
During the week the Jsps captured
Wolf Hill. position on the land side ot
the Port that enables their long-rang'
guns TO throw shells into the town and
inner harbor: and the Jap Commander
issued an order permitting all non con-
batants children, priests, mer
chants. etc.-to leave the Port and 90 Il
Dalney. The Russian feet in the harbol
was liable to damage by the shells. ant
50 desperate effort was made to &c
cape
The Russian feet, consisting of si1
battleships. four cruisers and some tor
pedo boats, emerged flom the harbor on
Wednesday morning, the 10th, and
headed eastwsrds toward the Eliot
Islands-no doubt intending to circle
around the Jap feet, which was not IN
sight at the time and give battle after
joining the Vladivostock squadron,
further south. But the Japs caught az
with them and fight began at 1 Pm
which lasted until dark, when the Rus
sian feet scattered and fed in all direc
tions. The Czaravitch, the Russian
flagship, was crippled early in the bat
tie, the other Russian vessels circled
around her, and the fighting was desper-
ate. Admiral Withoff and four Of his
lieutenants were blown to pieces by a
shell that exploded near them.
The torpedo boats seem to haye taken
but little part in the fight probably on
account Of rough water, but the JAP
gunners riddled the Russian vessels,
while themselves escaping with but lit
tie injury; Admiral Togo reported nc
vessels seriously injured and but 17C
men killed
When darkness came the Russian yes
sells scattered and fed in all directions
The Czarvitch and three cruisers, al
crippled got into the harbor Of Using
Chou, in the German concession, on the
Shantung peninsula. and as they were
unable to leave within the "a hour limit
their colors was hauled down, and they
were dismantled, and will remain sc
during the war.
This is an inglorious ending for th'
Czsrvitch, which was built for the
Russians by a French firm, and wal
considered to be the finest battleshiI
afioat.
Some other Russian vessels took ref
uge in the Chinese port of Chez Foo
and the Japs went in and captured ONT
(which was against the rules OF war;
and some are supposed to have returned
to the outer harbor Of Port Arthur, bn
within the line of floating mines.
In this battle, ar in the others tina
have preceded it, the Jap shells hit thu
mark, while those Of the Russians dir
not.
At dawn Of Sunday morning Admir-
al Kamimura with his feet. encounter
ed the Russian Vladivoetock feet in tn
straits Of Corea, near the Tsu island
and during a battle lasting for fy'
hours. sank one Russian vessel ant
caused the rest 10 fee. The Japs savet
900 of the Rurik's crew.
Early Tuesday morning those Rus
sian vessels which had escaped Togo'i
feet, in the darkness, and had taken
shelter in the outer harbor, Of Port Ar
thur, attempted to escape, and one wal
sunk by the Japs.
These battles effectually end Russian
naval power in the eastern seas, and
ends interference with Japan's com
merce. excepting by privateers.
Yesterday the Japs were reported to
he making their final attack on Port
Arthur. which was expected to capitu
late anytime.
At Liao Yang and vicinity no great
change has been made in the situation
during the past week. The Japs have
been impeded in their operations by tire
mendous rains. which have retarded
their advance, particularly their artille-
ry trains, but they are sending an army
up the Lao river to Sinmintun, a town
thirty miles west Of Mukden; and seem
10 be awaiting the fall OF Port Arthur
before making their final attack ON
Kuropatkin's army.
Yesterday Port Arthur was reported
burning. The Japs asked them TO sur.
render and thus save further bloodshed
and destruction.