The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-25
REPORTS THAT EXCITED
ALL ST. PETERSBURG

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. %, PIP a. m
Reports of a Russian victory at Port Ar
thur were current late yesterday afternoon
and early in the evening, and about mid
night they seemed 10 have been definitely
confirmed but in the absence of an official
announcement, which is mOmentarily ex-
pected, the stories Of the dimensions of this
victory were most conflicting and confusing
in character The most circumstantial re-
port was that the japanese had attempted
10 bottle up Admiral Starks fleet in Port
Arthur by sinking two stone-laden vessels
at the entrance of the harbor. employing
the tactics which were considered, but not
executed by the late Admiral Sampson, L.
s. N. with the Merrimac at Santiago dur
ing the Spanish-American war. According
to this account two Japanese ships APP
peared off the harbor with a fleet behind
them and ostenslDly in pursuit. The Rus
slams. however, suspected a ruse. and their
ships steamed out, sank the stone-laden
vessels, engaged and defeated the enemy
ana drove them off. The reports of the loss
inflicted, however, are conflicting.
All the stories included the feature of
the vessels loaded with stones, but accord
ing to some versions the Japanese fleet was
conveying transports with the purpose of
effecting a landing at Pigeon bay, and
after the failure of this preliminary ma
neuver, the Russians played havoc with
both the Japanese transports and warships
sinking four of the transports and two OF
the warships. One account even gives the
name of the battleship Retvizan the YES
sci which particularly distinguished her
self during the action by ramming and
sinking one of the Japanese battleships.
Rumors of this victory were spread far
and wide over the city during the early
part of the evening, and the crowds which
had gathered in the streets in spite OF the
severe cold to discuss the news were great
ly excited. One newspaper printed an ex-
ira relating the victory based on meager
telegram from London, but as the night
wore on without official confirmation the
crowds disappeared, except from around
the newspaper offices. These remained
thronged with officers and others who were
resolved TO await the official announce
ment.
The news of victory was accompanied by
two stories-one that after the first decisive
Russian victory the Emperor would offer
peace, and the other that Japan had de-
posed the Emperor of Korea and formally
annexed that country. Both these reports
afe without confirmation, and they are given
simply examples of the stories which
foated about in the excited crowds.
Instead of diminishing the crowds at the
Admiralty and newspaper and telegraph
company offices kept increasing, and the
excitement attained the fever point when
IL was known dennltely tEdt the emperor
had received a telegram giving more de-
tails and showing the Russian victory was
even greater than was at first reported.
Newspaper messengers waited at the Adj
miralty with fast horses, ready to carry
away the news, which it was know was
being prepared. When the sheets were
finally distributed, at 2:30 this morning, a
rush was made for the exits, and assem-
bled officers cheered wildly and repeatedly.
The crowds showed no inclination to dis
perse hoping that further news would be
received showing the exact extent of the
Russian victory.
1T must be observed that i'm his dispatch
Viceroy Alexief does not mention the num-
] Der of steamers which the japanese tried
TO drive upon the Russian ships, and it is
/ not yet known whether the four vessels
| the captain of the Retvizan observed going
down, in addition to the two destroyed,
were also laden with infammables or
| whether they were warShips.
The greatest praise is given TO the COM
mander of the Retvizan, and the splendid
action of this American-built vessel places
her name foremost on the roll of the Rus
| sian navy.
/ Viceroy Alexieff's dispatch was an ampli-
! fication of a briefer telegram received by
the Emperor earlier, but which was not
| given out.
/ Later it was said that Russia sustained no
losses in the engagement. 1t is evident
! that Vice Admiral Stark no longer COM
mands the Russian Port Arthur naval
/ forces, Viceroy AleXieff mentioning tenn
porary commander of the fleet without CIV
/ ing any names.
| Stories TO the effect that the japanese
| designed attempt at landing in Pigeon
| bay at the same time that the engagement
/ occurred are not mentioned in the dis
| patches, but IL is assumed these are with
! out foundation.