Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-06-25
TOday's Telegraphic News
ANOTHER RUSSIAN REVERSE.
More Battleships Destroyed and Dis
able,I-Russjan Troops Routed

ANOTHER hOSSlhN REV EfNob.
More BattIeships Destroyed and Dis
abled-Russian Troops Routed.
London, Juue 25.-Admiral Togo, by
a brilliant attack on the Russian fleet at
Port Arthur, has, in the opinion OF mill
itary and naval experts as well as those
in official circles, more than regained for
Japan that prestige which was lost by
the lack of watchfulness in the Korean
straits which permitted the Russian
Vladivostok squadron to creep in and
sink two transports and disable third.
While the details of the fighting at Port
Arthur are not yet at hand, there is little
question that Admiral Witgert, in COM
mand of the Russian vessels, driven to
desperation, had attempted hazardous
escape from japanese surveillance and
failed.
According 10 Admiral Togo's official
dispatch received in Toxic this morning
the engagement occurred on Thursday
and the Russians lost a battleship of the
Porosviet type sunk, and had battle
ship and first class cruiser badly dam
aged. The Japanese fleet, he says, sus-
tanned but little damage.
There is little doubt in the minds oil
many that Witger,'s attempt was in
many points similar to that of Admiral
Ceyera when he tried to escape the
watchful eye of the Americans of San
tiago during the Spanish-American war.
Witgert, like Ceyera, was locked up in
harbor, with a strong force of the enc
my's vessels outside, anxious to draw
him out to battle in the open sea. The
japanese, like the Americans, have s.
force, according to all reports, far
stronger than that Of the Russians, and
are in a better position than they to en-
gage in battle, despite the fact that the
Russians have the shore fortresses to
back them. Reports lately received from
Port Arthur describe the Russian sea
force there as patched up affair.
The Cars efficient force is said to be
composed merely of two battleships and
three cruisers. With this in mind, it
would seem that Togo's damage to the
feet has been disastrous. His report
says two battleships were practically pa!
out of commission as well as a cruiser.
Thus, taking the report of the state of
the vessels into consideration and ac-
cepting it as correct, Russia's force at
the Port now consists of but two cruisers
in full fighting condition
In addition to this Japan has large
force of soldiers on land to the rear OF
the port ready for the word to begin the
attack. 1t would seem as though Togo
and the land force at last have Port Ar
thur at their mercy.
Toxic, June pa dispatch received
this morning says the fight was the re-
suit of sixteen Russian warships at Port
Arthur preparing to make dash for TIE
south on Thursday night. They we're
met by Admiral Togo with his entire
squadron and compelled to retreat to
Port Arthur harbor.
Chefoo, June 25.-Junks which have
arrived here from Port Arthur report
that all the male population of the
town, who are over fifteen years Of age,
have been impressed into military SER
vice. Even the women are at work at
strengthening the defences. The town
is well supplied with provisions, includ-
ing meat, and the inhabitants are con-
fident of their ability to resist the at.
tacks of the Japanese, at least through
out the summer.
London, June 25.-Baron Hayashi,
the japanese minister, this afternoon re-
ceived the official dispatch of Admiral
Togo on the fighting at Port Arthur ON
June 90. The dispatch follows:
"On the receipt of wireless report
from a picket ship of Port Arthur at 1
o'clock on June %, that the enemy's
feet had emerged from the Port ad-
vanced with the whole feet, except such
vessels as were away on a special mis-
sion. The enemy's feet consisted of six
battleships, five cruisers, and four de-
stroyers. II seemed an attempt to move
to the southwark, but at nightfall they
stayed outside of the port. That
night the majority of our destroyers
and torpedo boats attacked the enc
my's fleet outside the Port. AT least
Que battleship, of the Porosviet type APP
peared 10 have been sunk. One battle
ship of the Sevastopol type and one
cruiser of the Diana type were seen
being towed into port the next morn
ing, apparently seriously damaged. On
our side the destroyer Shirakumo was
damaged in the ward room--three per-
sons being killed and three wounded.
The torpedo boat Chidori received a
shot abaft the engine room. There were
no casualties here. Topedo boats GA and
&C were also slightly damaged. There
were no othe damages.
Washington, d. c., June 25.-The
japanese Legation has given out the
following official dispatch:
Toxic, June 25.-Acccrding to re-
port received from the army landed at
Takushan, detachment of our troops
surprised and routed at dawn of June %
one squadron of Russian cavalry at
point ten miles northwest of Santaokou
on Tashikiac road. We also occupied the
heights of Santaoko expelling the enemy.
The enemy left 60 dead on the battlefield.
The Slocum Disaster.