The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-28

tailed report of his effective attack on
Port Arthur last Thursday night
reached Toxic today. The report con-
firms the reported destruction of a
Russian hattleship of the Peresviet
type, the disabling of battleship Of
the Sevastopol class and a protected
cruiser resembling the Diana and the
injuring of torpedo destroyer but
throws no light on the Russian plan.
The entire Russian fleet steamed out
70 sea in line OF battle. Suddenly
when within 1AOOO meters from the
Japanese feet the Russian fleet re-
fused battle and steamed back to an
anchorage outside the harbor where
during the night the Japanese destroy
ers and torpedo boats made eight des-
perate attacks upon it. The Russian
vessels re-entered the harbor on FRI
day, since which time it has failed to
seappear.
In his report Admiral Togo says:
The exit of the Russian fleet from
Port Arthur harbor began early
PThursdey. The battleships Peresvi-
ct, Poltava, Sevastapol, the armored
cruiser Bayan, the protected cruisers
Palada, Diana, Askold and Novik
came first, steamer leading them
clearing mines.
A warning flashed by wireless tele-
graphy by the japanese patrol,
brought up Admiral Togo's feet at
full speed to a series of prearranged
stations.
Three fiotillas of japanese destroy
ers and torpedo boats steamed close
10 the harbor entrance and watched
the Russian vessels. At IL o'clock the
Russian battleships Czarviteh, Retvi-
zan and Pobieda joined the ather Rus
sian ships outside the harbor. Sever
al steamers and boats were engaged
in clearing and exploding mines in
srder to make a passage seaward.
Captain Asia, commanding the Japa-
nese torpedo flotilla, attacked the ves-
sells engaged in clearing out the
mines and hampered the work
At o'clock seven Russian destroy
ers appeared and the japanese vigor-
onsly attacked them. One of the
Russian destroyers which was hit and
set on fire retreated to the harbor
burning. The Novik attacked the
Japanese who scurried away.
The vessels engaged in clearing the
harbor finally made passage and
the Novik led the Russian fleet sea
ward. In the meantime, Admiral To-
go concealed the position of his ships
and at O'clock sent the third squad
ron out into the vision of the Russians
with the object of drawing them sea-
ward The Russian feet stood south
eastward and then southwark. During |
this time Admiral Togo concealed his
uaua dror south ne rrooror vol, A.,
the Russians approached Admiral To-
go assembled his fleet and prepared
to attack. At 6:15 p. m, the Russians
were in plain sight eight miles of Gu
gan rock. The Czarvitch led and nine
others followed in a single line. The
Noyik and seven destroyers were
placed at the right of the line. Admi-
raj Togo waited, with battle flags fly
ing from all the tops. The japanese
fleet formation represented the first
letter of the japanese alphabet in
verted.
At 1880 p m. the Russians headed
for the Japanese and Admiral Togo
yeered slightly to the right in order to
bring pressure against the head Of the
Russian formation. At 8 p. m. the
Russians changed their course and
headed northward. Admiral Togo fol-
lowed in long single line ordering the
destroyers and torpedo boats to pre-
pare for an attack after sundown. Il
At 1872 p. m. the small flotilla,
swung around the rear of the Japan
ese fleet and headed toward the Rus
slams at full speed. At $3.50 the four
teenth fiotilla delivered the first at
tack on the Russian fleet now in the I
rear of point five miles outside the
entrance to Port Arthur. Immediately
afterwards the fifth hotilla delivered
a second attack. The Russian fleet
was confused and it was impossible
for it to retreat quickly into the har-
bor on account Of the narrowness of
the channel and possibly the low tide.
At 1O:S0 p. m. the Russian feet am
ehored in a single line extending from
the foot Of Wantsucing Fort to the
base of Chentaorhan. During the
night the torpedo fotillas kept up con-
slant attacks on the Russian feet