The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-10
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION
OF PORT ARTHUR FIGHTS

PARIS, Feb. 10.-The correspondent at
York Herald describes in a dispatch the
tranquil appearance of Port Arthur on
Monday night, when a Russian official said
ne expected the japanese fleet in thses-1r-
four days. The weather was fine and the
Russian sailors impressively chanted their
evening hymn. AT o'clock the lighthouse
was lighted and the guiding lights were
burning. Only one Russian warship was
using her search light. and this in a leis-
urely fashion. Three torpedo boats were
patrolling on the outskirts of the feet All
the others were inside the basin. A deep
silence settled down. but this was broken
at half-past IL o'clock by three muffied
explosions, which made the steamer CO.
Iumbia vibrate violently Instantly firing
began and the searchlights were used. but
without much method.
II watched the operations" the corre-
spondent goes on, thinking they were
only maneuvers until midnight. when the
firing almost ceased. 1t stopped entirely at
o'clock in the morning"
The correspondent then describes the ar
rival and Bleaching of the Russian vessels,
which We're at first supposed to have been
in collision. But at twenty minutes OF
Russian naval officers boarded the CO.
o
ing the viceroy had ordered the Columbia
not to attempt to leave. This was appar-
emily done with the idea of preventing the
ship from acquainting the Japanese with
the extent of the Russian damage.
Daylight revealed two Japanese cruisers
watching on the horizon. After daybreak
a strange apathy seemed to possess the
Russians. The white-faced. gaping crews
crowded forward on the decks OF the dam
aged vessels. and none of the Russian ships
showed disposition to chase the enemy or
fire a single shot till the Japanese had de-
parted at twenty minutes past s. when the
Russians started in pursuit. going in shore
towards Port Dalny. They returned. how
ever, at a quarter past 3, without having
fired.
1t having apparently occurred TO them
that the japanese had effected complete
surprise, owing to their bad outlook tho
Russians now have outside five effective
battleships and five effective cruisers be-
sides smaller vessels and seventeen torpedo
boats.
1t was almost II O'Clock when the Jap
anese squadron of sixteen. including five
battleships, appeared in fine order. At a
quarter past IL there came the first flash
from japanese vessal aud a tweive-inch
shell landed near the torpedo boats grouped
near the entrance OF the harbor. The aim
was splendid.
Owing to confusion on the part OF the
quarantine officials. or perhaps because the
Russians thought the Japanese would not
like TO fire near the British flag. the CO.
lumbia was close 10 the Russian feet and
in the line OF fire. and the japanese shells
feH thickly around her. several bursting
nearby and strewing her decks with
splinters and water The captain OF the
Columbia then got undo way in spite OF
the protests Of the Russian guards on
board and got his vessel out OF danger.
making full speed for Che-FOo. The Rus
sian guards were praying fervently and the
Chinese crew OF the ship was frightened.
bat they worked well Those or board the
steamer feared the Russian batteries would
sink them for disobeying orders. the cap
tain's repeated signals FOR permission TO
proceed having been ignored.
The bombardment lasted until ii:s5 The
Japanese aimed their FIRE wen. two shells
bursting at the summit OF one fort and a
number on the clin and the beach Al
were heavy shells. Some OF them emitted :