The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-12
is TRUTH CONCEALED.
General Opinion That Russia ha. SUIT
fered Greater Damage Than
Has Been Reported.


fered Greater Damage Than
Has Been Reported.
London, Feb. l0.-It is the general
opinion Of the British press this morn
ing that Viceroy Alexieffs dispatches
conceal the extent OF the damage that
the Japanese onset inflicted upon the
Russian fleet and that when the actual
facts became known it will be seen that
Japan. by her pluck and energy, haa
practically secured command OF the
sea.
In an editorial article the Daily Tele-
graph says that unless all signs are
astray the far eastern fleet which Rus
sia built up with extraordinary exer-
tions during the last five years is in its
death agony"
/, The Times says the moral effect Of
the blow which Japan suddenly deliver
ed can hardly be exaggerated, and that
the immediate strategic consequences
are only second in Importance to the
moral effect.
All the daily papers express the
greatest satisfaction at such complete
and unexpected initial success on the
part of the Japanese.
on the integrity of China created great
interest at the Japanese legation here,
where 1t was characterized as "a SER
ious blow to Russia" Beyond this
l'tateinent, however. the legation off,
ials refused to be quoted. The daily
papers publish the note with great
prominence. but while admitting its ex-
IRENE Importance and urging the most
Gareful consideration Of the proposal,
hey comment upon it In tone of con-
lsderable caution. The Times says IL
hopes 1t will meet with general support,
as 1t would limit the danger of the dis
turbance of the worlds peace.
The Daily Telegraph's correspondent
At Che Foo. in a dispatch dated Tues
cay evening, says the Russians are en-
deaVoring by pumps and collision mats
TO stop the holes in their battleships in
order to take them inside at high wa
ter.
British Saw the Engagement.
Che Foo, Feb. 10.-The steamer Co
with additional news of the attack by
the Japanese fleet upon the Russian
fleet in the roads outside Of the har.
Dor of Port Arthur. The Columbia was
IN the roads at the time, and felt the
first shock of torpedo explosion at
tack continued all night, and at day
break Tuesday morning two Russian
battleships and one first class Russian
cruiser We're seen to have been dis
abled and beached at the entrance of
the harbor The cruiser was badly
listed to one side.
Tuesday morning the Russian forta
opened fire on the japanese fleet,
which was about three miles distant,
The japanese vessels returned the fire.
hitting severa! of the Russian ships.
out doing little damage. The Rus
sian star cruisers then went out, and the
Japanese vessels disappeared They
We're seen later going in the direction
Of Dalny, apparently undamaged. Al
though the officers of the Columbia
say that there were seventeen In the
attacking party, only sixteen were seen
later in the day by the steamer Foo
Chow.
A member of the crew OF the Colum-
bia tells this story of the naval battle
ut Port Arthur:
The Columbia was lying in the road
stead. surrounded by fourteen battle
ships and cruisers. AT about 12:
o'clock Monday night severe shock
was felt on board the Columbia. % The
Russians Immediately began to operate
their searchlights and opened fire
towards :he sea. The firing lasted only
Il short time. AT j O'clock more shockt
were felt and 1.-the Russians again com
lnenced firing.
Russian Vessels Beached.
T.ac Japanese did not return the fire,
AZ 2 o'clock two Russian battleshipa
went in and We're bcached across the
'htrance of the harbor They were soon
followed by a Russian cruiser, which
Tlso was beached. None of the vessels
vas damaged above the water line.
lore shocks from torpedoes were felt
turing the carly morning, and then all
as quiet
| .Af IN n'o1ool. ,p,,a..1.., 49,
Japanese cruisers passed Port Arthur
q sight of the Russian fleet. The whole
>tussian fleet Immediately weighed
s1chor and went after them. but re
turned In half an hour.
he Russians left one, cruiser out
de to watch for the Japanese ships.
he cruiser was fired upon by the jap
nese, and the other Russian vessels
iook up their anchors and cruised
FOUND the roadstead. The Japanese
set came up within three miles, and a
title commenced. The japanese fired
=, the ships and forts, which replied
wo Russian ships were struck by
tells. but We're only slightly damaged.
lne Russian fire fell short.
ne columbia steamed away while
ie battle was in progresa, but later
Nv the japanese fleet leave.
One Japanese cruiser with torpedo
coats, is reported north of Che Foo.
Nolatava and the Czarevitch The dis
led armored cruiser Boyaim and the
ifounded battleships block the en-
anee to the harbor, preventing gun
ats from going out and battleships
md cruisers from gong in and getting
l'al.. Besides this, Japan has the Rus
tian gunboats Variag and Koretz
:aught at Chemulpo. They were bound
| + Vladivostok.
The Japanese fleet was under the
/ Command of Vice Admiral Togo. and
consisted of four fast cruisers, the Chit
lie, Shikishima Yashima and Iwate.
hich crcled outside, drawing the fire
the Russians They then Joined the
! .in fleet and all went in to attack the
mored cruisers. In the Japanese,
jeet. which consisted of two divisions
ere the Mikasa, the flagship: the first
,lass battleships Asahi Fuji, Inashima
l'hikashi Ma, Hatsusa and the dispatch
Goat Tatsuma. The second division Of
le fleet, under command of Admtra
aamin1ura, on the flagship Idsumo
consisted Of the armored cruisers Yak
INA, Asama and IWate when seen by
he Foo Chow on Thursday.
PreeidentiaI Non,;pa%;,o.