The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-05-18
THE HOBSONS OF JAPAN.

AAOA/oOANS
The most thrilling story Of the war
is the official report of Vice-Admiral
Togo Of the last and successful effort
to blockade the entrance to the har-
Dor of Port Arthur. Without any eff
fort to glorify the heroic conduct Of
the men engaged in it, and simply re-
citing the facts, he tells story Of
daring which has few equals in the
annals of war.
The blockading flotilla when ap-
for the purpose of sinking stone laden
ships in the entrance, was scattered
by terrific storm. The commander
signaled to abandon the attempt until
the storm subsidized, but his signals
failed to reach those for whom they
were intended, and the crews of the
separated blockading fotilla, proceed
ing each on their own initiative, forced
their way in the face of the Russian
III 11lO1C OCdO1y tu1A CVC1S AASO lAC
mouth of the harbor, over the field Of
mines and into the channel which they
sought to blockade. Upon that cam
mel the Russian forts poured a perfect
torrent of shells from the land bat
teries. To. venture upon that desper-
ate errand was to invite certain death,
and yet the crews Of these blockading
ships went eagerly to the task. One
after the other they steamed boldly
into the harbor, played upon by pow
erful searchlights, and illuminated by
immense bonfires on either side, locat-
ed their ships in the desired positions
and then blew them up.
The chances for escape we're almost
none, and the admiral in making his
report says: 1T is to be regretted that
nothing particular could be learned
concerning the brave discharge of
their duties (referring to the officers
and crews of four of the blockading
f1otilla,) but the memory of their exem-
plary conduct will remain long in the
imperial navy" Not one Of the crews
of these four ships escaped.
The Jap entertains less regard for
human life than the American, and
values his own existence more light
ly. At the same time the men who
went willingly and even eagerly to
certain death under the rain of shells
from the Russian Notifications. and
in face Of the dangers from submarine
mines and the explosion of their own
ships, fired by themselves, afforded an
example of bravery and devotion,
which, as the admiral says. must give
them an imperishable name in the his
tory Of their gallant country.
Six years ago, the people of this
country gave generous praise to Hob
son and his men for their dauntless
courage in the attempt to sink the
Merrimac in the harbor of Santiago.
It was a brave deed land there is no
disposition to detract in the least from
the credit due the lieutenant and his
men. But here is an instance which
seems to surpass it in dramatic inten-
sity. The conditions are vastly more
threatening and terrible, heightened
as they were, by the fury of the raging
storm. which made navigation of the
yellow sea almost impossible. This
attempt was made, too, after repeated
failures, when it was known that the
Russian defenses were on the alert
and would seek to repulse any attempt
of this character. And not only was
signal bravery displayed by the men
who took in these blockading ships and
wrecked them in the mouth of the har-
Dor, but the destroyer and torpedo
f1otilla besides, Drawing the fury of
the wind and waves, and daring the
batteries of the Russian forts, rem
dered heroic service in rescuing more
than half Of the men who were engag-
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