The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-03-06
japanese Squadron in Action
before VIadivostock.
SHELLED CITY AN HOUR
COrpsof Mikado'S Troops Making
a Flank Movement on
the Russian Garrison.

ST. PETERSBURG. March T. 90 4
Vladiyostok official report says shortly
after noon on Sunday, March g. s
squadron of five Japanese batteship.
and two cruisers, believed TO be part
Of Admiral Togo's fleet, appeared off
the harbor mouth here and bombardeO
the town and shore batteries for fifty.
five minutes.
The feet approached from the dlrec.
ton of Askold island. at the east en-,
trance TO Ussurl bay and about thirty
two miles southeast of NladivostOk En-
tering Ussur bay, the enemy formed
in line of battle, but did not approach
to a closer range than five and one.
third miles They DIRECTED their fire
against the shore batteries and the
town, but no damage resulted, as most
Of their POO lyddite shells failed to
burst
The Russian batteries, commanded by
Generals Veronetz and Artamonoff, did
not reply. awaiting a closer approach
Of the enemy.
The japanese fire ceased ut 2:20
p. m, and the enemy retired in the di-
rection of Askold island. Simulta.
neously two torpedo boat destroyers ap-
penred near Aslold island and two
more near Cape Maidel. The Japanese
ships were covered with ice.
The attack resulted in no loss to the
Russians, but cost the enemy 100000
in ammunition Most of the projectiles
were six and twelve inch shells.
During the bOmbardment by the Jap
anese feet private dispatches say that
five persons were killed, four sailors
and the wife Of an engineer. 1t is ap-
parent the japanese were afraid to
risk exposing their ships to the plung-
ing fire of the land batteries and it is
considered probable here that the at.
tack was really for the purpose of
drawing the fire of the Russian forts,
compelling the Russians TO disclose the
position and caliber of their guns and
also for the purpose of ascertaining
whether the Russian squadron was in
port If this was the object of the
Japanese, it is believed to have failed
signally, as the batteries did not fire a
shot and If the squadron was in port
il could not be seen from the Japanese
position in the bay Of Ussur1s on ac-
count of the high land which rises
from the coast ON that side, obstruct-
ing the view Of the harbor
Two vessels in the squadron are sup
posed to have been the first class
cruisers Idzumo and Yakumo.
The population of NladivOstok was
warned in the morning of the presence
on the horizon of hostile feet and Of
the prospect Of an attack during the
day, but it remained tranquil.
The report from Vladivostok says
that the $500 Japanese troops who
landed at Plaksin bay, on the east
coast of northern Korea, are advanc-
ing toward Musan, 21S miles from
Gensan, with the intention Of ultimate
ly reaching Hunchun, on the left bank
of the Tumen river, about 100 miles
west of Vladivostok, and threatening
the RussiaIih flank In order to check
mate this move the Russian outpost,
1900 strong, which crossed the Tumen,
is advancing to occupy Koyryong, on
the Tumen, walled city, commanding
the trails along which the japanese
must pass.
Direct through telegraph communi-
cation is now established between
Viceroy AleXeiefr's headquarters at
Mukden and st. Petersburg. This is
believed to be the longest circuit in
the world, being over 5000 miles,
whereas the direct communication be-
tween London and Teheran, distance
of only 5000 miles, has hitherto been
the longest.
Prince Louis Napoleon, who has been
in command of grenadier brigade in
the Caucasus, has arrived here and
the understanding is that he will re-
ceive an important command ON the
frontier.
Advices from Tokyo say the Russians
are briskly fortifying AntuRg, which,
it is believed, they will make base
for resistance, Scouts near Anju are
being withdrawn toward Kasan.
A Yinkow dispatch says the. removal
of the furniture of the police and mill
tary quarters at Newehwang, the with |