The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-18
JAPANESE ARE ELATED
OVER THE SUCCESS OF
ADMIRAL TOGO'S PLAN
His Brilliant Strategy and Dashing
Bravery Have Won the Plaud-
Its of the Entire Nation.
DEWA SERVED AS DECOY
Togo Thanked the Enemy When
He Was Out-Congratula-
tons to the Squadron.

TOXIC. April 1.-THE Japanese are elat-
ed over the successes they have won at
Port Arthur. They are also proud OF the
achievement Of Vice Admiral Togo. particu-
larry Of his latest strategy in countermining
the enemys harbor and decoying him
across this field OF mines to an equally dan
gerous flank attack
The success Of the system of placing
deadly countermines is due largely to
series Of careful observations made by the
Japanese during their previous attack on
Port Arthur. The japanese saw the Rus
sian fleet leave the harbor and return 70 il
several times and they discovered that the
Russian warships followed an identical
course every time they came out or went in.
evidently for the purpose of avoiding their
own mines The Japanese took bearings on
this course. When the destroyer division
Of the Japanese torpedo fotilla laid the
countermines during the night Of April
12-15 they placed them along this course.
The laying OF these countermines was ex-
ceedingly perilous. because If any japanese
boat with mines on board had been struck
by a lucky Russian shot she would nave
been annihiated.
The weather OF the night of April 12-13 ia
vored the work There was a heavy rain,
the night was dark and cloudy and the
Russian searchlights paying over the chan
mel failed TO reveal the presence of the Jap
anese destroyers.
DEWA AS A DECOY.
Rear Admiral Dewa was in command of
the Japanese squadron which decoyed the
Russian ships over the field of mines. His
squadron consisted of the cruisers Chitose.
Yoshino, Kasagi and Takasago. all unar-
mored vessels. which presented a tempting
bait for the heavier Russian ships. Vice
Admiral Togo directed the flank attack. He
had the battleships Hatsuse, Mikasa, Asahi,
Shikishima. Yashima and Full He waited
thirty miles ont at sea until Rear Admiral
Dewa told him by wireless telegraph TO
come in.
His vessels then dashed at full speed
toward the entrance OF the harbor. All the
battleships under Vice Admiral Togo are
capable OF a speed of eighteen knots, and
they quickly covered the distance. 1t is not
clear what warned the Russians that they
had been trapped but they probably dis
cerned the battleship squadron on the hori-
ION and ret-eated precipitately to the har-
Dor Vice Admiral Togo did not succeed in
preventing the Russians entering, but did
force them TO disastrous retreat. which
ended In the destruction of the Petropav-
iovsk and the disabling of the Pobieda.
After these occurrences the cruisers Niasn
and Kasagi were used to lombard Port Ar
guns in the fleet. capable of throwing shells
10 the elevated Russian land works. which
are beyond attainment by the average naval
weapon.
Vice Admiral Togo calls this attack on
Port Arthur the eighth. whereas here it is
numbered the seventh. probable ex-
llanation is that Vice Admiral Togo re-
CARDS the latest operation as two distinct
attacks.
TOGO CONGRATULATED. 4.
Admiral Baron Yamamoto, the minister
Of marine sent the following congratula-
cory message to Vice Admiral Togo to-day:
Il am delighted over the success of the
eighth attack on Port Arthur. The result
was splendid. and while il is attributed 10
the Emperors illustrious virtue, the loyal
and gallant action of the officers and men
of the feet played a conspicuous part.
Their behavior leaves nothing TO regret.
tender my congratulations tc you and to
the officers and men In your command.
and l hope the same noble discharge of
duties will be continued while the present
great national problem lies before us.
THE goal Il yet distant. Take the best
care OF yourselves in order that you may
be enabled to finish the great work ex-
pected OF you
Expressions of regret at the death of
Vice Admiral Makaroff are general here
Speaking for the naval staff, Commander
Ogasa Wara has published lengthy state
ment In which he laments the death of the
Russian vice admiral and pronounces it to
be a loss TO the navies of the world. Com
mander Ogasa Wara reviews the life pro-
fessional career and the personal attributes
OF Vice Admiral Makaroff, and declares
that he is entitled to be classed with the
best admiralS in the world.
The koriu Maru, which participated in
the latest attack on Port Arthur is a tor
pedo depot ship. under the command of
Commander Oda. Oda Is a mine expert
and the success of the japanese counter
mining operations was due largely to his
ingenuity and bravery.
The Japanese report that the wreck of
the Petropavlovsk lies southeast Of Golden
hill. one mile outside the entrance to the
harbor.