Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-11-19
RUSSIANS BLOW UP
VESSEL AT CHEFOO
The Rastoropny Destroyed After Run
ming Port Arthur Blockade.
HAD MESSAGES FROM STOESSEI


pedo boat destroyer Rastoropny, which
entered the harbor here, bringing dis
patches from Port Arthur for trans
mission to st. Petersburg, was blown
up by her crew, in order. it is sup
posed, to avoid capture by the Japa-
nese.
II is impossible to secure an ex-
PLANTATION of the action of the Rus
slams. but it is believed that they were
determined not to allow a repetition
of the Ryeshitelni incident. Previous
to the destruction of the destroyer the
taoti had officially notified the Japa-
nese consul that her disarmament had
been completed. the breeck blocks ana
ammunition having been removed and
her machinery disabled.
The Russian consul officially notified
the taoti that the destroyer had been
driven towards Chefoo by heavy sea.
and that II had been decided to disarm
her because her machinery had been
disabled. This is looked on in some
quarters here as the throwing of a
transparent veil over the purpose Of
the vessels visit.
The Russians, with the exception Of
one man, left the destroyer during the
afternoon. This last man lit fuses and
blew up the vessel. There were three
dull explosions. which were scarcely
discernible 100 yards from the place
where they occurred.
Almost simultaneously the Rastor-
opny sunk and settled on the bottom.
A single spar marks her grave.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press learned authoritatively that the
viding that unless there came a highly
favorable opportunity to escape the
vessel should be blown up.
Sufficient powder for this purpose
was secreted before the destroyer left
Port Arthur.
Small charges of ordinary powder,
placed in each of the five water-tight
compartments. were exploded.
Customs Officer Joenig was on board
the destroyer. and the Russians ex-
perienced considerable difficulty in get
ting him off without arousing his sus-
picions. The destroyer's cutter. man
ned by two men, was lying near. and
the official was persuaded to take a
ride around the Rastoropny in order
that he might see the injuries she was
alleged to have received. No sooner
had the customs officer stepped into
the cutter than a petty officer drew
his watch and urged the rowers to
make all speed away. When the de-
stroyer had gone down the official was
taken on shore.
The Japanese consul says that the
Russians wasted their vessel, as the
Ryeshitelni incident would not have
been repeated.
Two Japanese torpedo boat destroy
ers were seen at the mouth of the har-
Dor, and their presence undoubtedly
precipitated the action of the Russians
in blowing up the Rastoropny.
The explosion was so subdued and
the crew remained so silent that 1t was
some time before the report of the
affair became current. Even the Off
Gals most intimately concerned got
the news from the correspondents.
The Japanese consul says that nine
of the Russian crew came ashore with
their rifles. against which action he
has protested to the authorities.
A private letter received from Port
Arthur requests the Associated Press
to publish statement to the effect
that all the foreigners there are well.
and that none of them has received
any wounds during the fighting.