Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-30

Japs Sink Another Torbedo Boat.
st. Petersburg, March 27.-It is
stated that one Russian torpedo boat
was sunk In the engagement at Port
Arthur this morning, but 1t is thought
that the vessel can be hoated.
st. Petersburg, March 27.-Under
cover of darkness this morning Vice
Admiral Togo made another desper-
ate attempt to bottle up the Russian
fleet In Port Arthur, but he failed
again. and when after daylight Vice
Admiral Makaroff steamed out to
give battle, the Japanese commander
refused the challenge and sailed
away. The Japanese practically re-
peated the attack Of February rs by
sending four ships. preceded by a tor.
pedo boat fotilla, with the exception
that the fire ships this time were
armed with Hotchkiss guns for the
purpose Of keeping of the Russian
torpedo boat destroyers. The enemy's
attempt was discovered by means of
the shore searchlight and a heavy fire
was opened from the batteries and
from two gunboats, which were
guarding the entrance to the harbor.
The Russian torpedo boat destroyer
Stilni was outside on scouting duty
and to the dash and nerve Of her
commander. Lieutenant Krinizki. is
chiefly due the defeat of the plans of
the Japanese. He a. once made
straight for the oncoming ships under
hail Of fire from the Hotchkiss guns
and torpedoed the leading ship, which
sheered of, followed by the others,
three of them being piled up on the
shore under Gilden hill and one under
the light house. The Stilni then en-
gagged the entire six torpedo boats of
the enemy coming out from terrific
fight with seven killed and her COM
mander and IL of her crew wounded,
but on the Japanese side only one
boats crew was saved. In addition,
according to unofficial reports, II Is
believed the Japanese lost two tor
pedo boats.
The Japanese cruiser which sup
ported the attack exchanged shots
with the batteries and then drew OF.
after which Vice Admiral Makaroff
took a steam launch and examined
the fre ships. An hour later the ia
panese torpedo fotilla, followed by
Vice Admiral Toeo's feet, came up
from a southerly direction. Just as
day broke Vice Admiral Makaroff
with his feet sailed out to engage the
enemy, but after the ships and bat.
teries had fired a few long distance
shots, Vice Admiral Togo decided to
decline the issue and disappeared to
the southwark.
The news of the repulse Of Vice
Admiral Togo's second attempt to
block Port Arthur created much re
jodcing in the Russian capital, and
among all classes the gallantry of the
Stilni and her commander Is the sub
ject of high praise; but above all the
moral effect of Vice Admiral Maka
roff's willingness to engage the en-
emy, showing that he considered him
self strong enough to fight, produced
a splendid impression.
In high official circles this new ef
fort to bottle up the Russian feet 1,
looked upon as meaning only on,
thing, namely, that the Japanese. al
March IA, are now preparing for {
heavy landing OF troops In the gulf o
Lao Tung. either at New Chwang o.
on the west coast of Manchuria oI
neutral soil, to effect which in safet.
the immobility of Vice Admiral Max
aroff's feet Is absolutely essentia
while the transports are being con
veyed around the southern end OF tn
peninsula. II the attempt had sue
ceeded 1t would have required severa
days at least to blow up the steam
ers and clear away the wreckage. duI
ing which time the Japanese would b
assured of non.interference In the cal
rying out of their purposes. The fai
ure OF the Japanese this morning ma
seriously hamper their plans as tn
ice In the Lao river is going out an