New-York tribune., 1904-08-15
JAPAN UPHOLDS SEIZURE
Ryeshitelm Reported Armed-RHs-
sian Protest Entered.

Toxic, Aug. f4.-1he Navy Department has is
sued the following statement. covering the seiz-
ures of the Ryeshltelni at Che-Foo:
According to reports received to date. the
| Asashlwo and the Kasumi, belonging to the hrst
| destroyer hotilla Captain Fujimoto command"
| ing, were dispatched in search of the enemy
ships scattered during the engagement on the
| night Of August 10
| They found vessel resembling one of the
| enemys destroycrs and gave chase, but lost her
| in the darkness. Continuing the search, they
discovered that she had entered the port OF Che-
| Foo.
| but the Russians failed to leave the harbor
Captain Fujmoto. anticipating its escape dur
ing the night If possible to attack merchant yes
sells, entered Che-FoO with the two destroyers
! and found the Russian destroyer Ryeshitelni
| remaining UndsaTmed.
Lieutenant Terashima was then SEM 10 In, Lne
! Russian vessel with a message to the erect tnat
! the Japanese commander expected MIN 10 leaNe
| by dawn surrender.
The Russian commander refused to comply
| with either demand. and while the conference
was still going on he was heard lnstructing MS
men to blow up the ship.
At the same time he caught hold OF Lieutenant
| Terashima and threw him overheard
Our interpreter was next thrown overheard py
some Russian sailors and others among the
sailors showed signs of resistance
While this going on the forward maga-
zine exploded. killing some of our men, we theh
captured the destroyer and retired. mn,
Our loss by the explosion was one man Killed
and four men mortaly wounded
Lieutenant Terashima, our Interpreter ana
nine others of the boarding party were wounded
St Petersburg Aug. 14.-By command of the
Emperor. the Foreign Minister. Count Lams-
dorff has instructed NJ. Neidoff the Russian
Ambassador at Paris. to request that France
on behalf of Russia shall lodge strong pro-
test with the French Minister at Toxic. NJ
Harmand. against what is described as an out
rageour violation of Chinese neutrality. and of
universally recognized principles of international
law involved in the Japanese attack on the Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyer Ryeshten in neu-
trail harbor
The foreign powers have also been informed
of the Russian declaration, and the Russian
Minister at Peking Paul Lessar, is charged to
protest to the Chinese government with refer
ence TO the serious consequences the violation
of neutrality which she permitted may entail
The Emperor has received the following tele-
gram from Captain shestakovsky. commander
of the Russian torpedo boat destroyer Ryeshi-
telni.
on August II arrived at Che-Foo from Port
Arthur with the Ryeshitelni bearing important
dispatches having effected a passage through
According 10 the orders OF Rear Admiral
Grigorovitch. I disarmed the ship and lowered
my flag All formalities were duly carried out
on the early morning OF the 18th / was In
port when l was practically attacked by the
japanese. who mad approached with two torpedo
boats and a cruiser. and who sent a party
under an officer, though TO enter into pour
parers. Not having arms 10 resist. ordered
the making Of preparations TO blow UP my
ship.
When the Japanese began to hoist their nag
I insuIted the Japanese officer by striking him
and throwing him into the water. then oTderea
my crew TO throw the enemy Into the sea.
our resistance. however proved unavaihnE
and the Japanese took possession OF the boat.
Explosions occurred in tire engine room and in
the fore part Of the vessel but the Rycshten
did not sink and was taken from port by the
japanese ] hope they VIII not be able to take
| her 10 one Of their own ports.
My officers and crew have been saved Win
| the exception ot an engineer and "a stoker. -Four
| others slightly wounded
Naval Ensign Pctron. who resisted the hoist
| ing Of the japanese flag. received severe blow
| I'm the chest with the butt end or a musket
| causing an internal hemorrhagc. / received a
wound in the right thigh from bullet. which
| has not yet been extracted.
The conduct Of the officers and crew was above
| all praise.
| hospitality and sympathy 10 us
The Emperor has received the following mos
sage from Viceroy Alexieff. dated August 13:
Supplernentfne my telegram OF August IL our
! consul at Che-Foo reports that while he was
| conferring with the Taotai regarding the tenn
/ porary stay OF the Ryeshitelni 10 repair her
/ ing under instructions from Rear Admiral
| Grgorovitch, and owing To the defective condi-
| tion Of the engines. entered into negotiations
with the Chinese admiral concerning the dis
armament of the Ryeshteni handed him the
breechlocks OF the guns and the rifles and low
/ cred his ensign and pennant
After the Japanese attack the crew was picked
| UP by a boat belonging 10 "A Chinese cruiser and
! other boats in the harbor
out OF the Rycshiteluis crew OF forty-seven.
| four are missing. The commander was serious
] ly but not mortally. wounded by bullet In the
| thigh and removed with Ensign Petroff.
who Is ill. 10 the French Missionary Hospital.
London. Aug. 14.-mformation reaching here
| from Paris is TO the effect that the Foreign Of
! fee is not yet able 10 state the position which
! France will take regarding the seizure OF the
| Ryeshtenl II is pointed out that the matter
/ is one between Russia and Japan I'm which
| France is not directly interested. France Will
| act as an intermediary, in accordance with the
| agreement by which she is charged with the care
| Of Russian interests in Japan during the war.
but her attitude will depend entirely on that of
| the Mikado's government. Should japan throw
| the blame for the affair upon naval officer.
apologize and give up the Ryeshitelni the matter
would be dropped.