The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-03-03
Their RUSE FAILED
The PIusky Japs Wen. Against lard
Proposition
RECEIVED A STUNNING RfPuLsE
All Does Not Appear TO Be Smooth
Sailing to the Hopeful ffosts OF the
Island kirgcoT1-

St Petersburg. ByeCable.-Reperts
OF Russian victory at PoIt Arthur
were current late Wednesday after
noon and early IN the evening. bu.
the stories Of the dimensions OF this
victory were most conflicting and CON
fusing in character.
The most circumstantial report was
that the Japanese had attempted 10
bottle up Admiral Starks fleet in Port
Arthur 10y sinking two stone laden
vessels at the entrance Of the harbor,
employing the tactics which were
considered. but not executed, by the
late Admiral Sampson, L. S. n. with
the Merrimac at Santiago during the
Spanish-AmeriCan war. According TO
this account two japanese ships ap-
peared off the harbor with 4 Japanese
feet behind them and ostensibly in
pursuit The Russians however, sus-
pected a ruse, and their ships steam.
ed out, sank the stonc-ladened vessels
and engaged and defeated the enemy
and drove them off. The reports OF
the losses inflicted, however, are con
ficting All the stories include the
feature Of the vessels laden with
stones, but, according to some yer
sions, the Japanese feet was convoy
ing the two ships with a purpose OF
effecting a landing at Pigeon Bay,
and with the failure of this prelim-
mary maneuvre. the Russians played
havoc with both the Japanese war
ships and the transports, sinking
four Of the former and two OF the
| latter. One account gives the name
of the battleship Retzivan as the yes
sci which particularly distinguished
herself during the action by ra,mming
and sinking ore of the Japanese bat
tlcships
| Rumors Of this victory were spread
| far and wide over the city during the
early part OF the evening, and the
| crowds which gathered in the streets,
| In spite of the severe cold, TO discuss
! the news. were greatly excited. The
/ news Of the victory was accompanied
| by the two stories. one that after the
first decisive Russian victory the En-
| percr would Offer peace. and the 9th
er that Japan had dapC seG the Emper-
CT Of Corea, and formally arnexe9
| that country. Both these reports are
without confirmation, and they are
given simply es examples OF the
| stories which floated about IL the ex.
cited crowds.
Instead Of diminishing the crowds
at the admiralty and newspaper and
telegraph agencies Offices kept in
creasing, and the excitement attained
the fever point when it was definitely
known that the Emperor had received
| a telegram giving more details and
! showing that the Russian victory was
| even greater than was at fl st report
ed. Newspaper messengers waited
at the admiralty with fast horses
ready to carry away the news while
IL was being prepared. When the
| sheets were finally distributed at $50
| o'clock this morning rush was made
| for the exits and the assembled Oft
GERS cheered wildly and repeatedly
| The crowds showed no inclination tC
disperse, showing that further news
would tie received showing the exaci
extent Of the Russian victory.
It must be observed that IL mis- dis
patch Viceroy Alexieff does not men
ton the number Of steamers which
the Japanese tried to sink, or drive
upon the Russian ships. end 1t IS no
yet known whether the four vessel:
/ the captain Of tee Retzlyan observet
going down were also laden with in
flammables or whether they were
warships.
The greatest praise is given to th'
commander Of the RetZivan, and th'
splendid action of this American
built vessel places her name forenos
on the roll of the Russian navy.
Viceroy Alexfeff's dispatch was al
qualification OF a brief telegram re
ceived by the Emperor earlier, bu
; which was not given out.
Later it was said that Russia sus
tanned no losses in the engagement
: It Is evident that Vice Admire
Stark no longer commands the Rus
, sian Port Arthur naval forces, Vice
roy AleAier mentioning tenporar
: commander Of the feet without gi'
! | ing any name.