Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-20
RUssO-JA?ANESE WAR.

naval action off ChemulpO, Korea, Feb
ruary says the Russian cruisers Variag
and Korietz sank japanese cruiser and
torpedo boat destroyer and crippled
another vessel before returning to the
harbor.
The government yesterday received
from the officers of the Variag and the
Korietz. who are now at Shanghai, their
account of the fight, which shows the
admirable handling of the two Russian
warships in the face of overwhelming
odds. The officers confirm the state
ment that when the Japanese squadron
of eight warships appeared of Chemulpo
thew we're met by the small torpedo gun
boat Korietz, which had been sent out
to reconnoitre; that the Korietz, on
sighting the japanese squadron, imme-
diatelv returned to the harbor and re-
Joined the Variag, and that the Japan
ese followed to the mouth of the harbor
and sent the Russians aperemptOry sum-
mons to surrender.
This message, the officers add, was
disregarded, whereupon the japanese
threatened to enter the harbor and en-
gage the Russians there. As this would
have endangered the other vessels in the
harbor, including the French and other
foreign warships, Captain Roudner, OF
the Variag. as senior officer, boldly
gave orders that both vessels steam out
| 81 ~ aat tho enpniV
The fight outside between the Nariag
and Korietz and the eight Japanese war
ships resulted, according the officer re-
port, in the sinking of two japanese war
sbips-one cruiser and one torpedO-boat
destroyer-and the crippling OF another
The Russian ships were repeatedly struck
but they succeeded in re-entenng the
harbor, where the captains decided to
b ow up their ships to prevent them from
falling into the hands ofthC. L. L., cqr o,d
Survivors py rs'0l 00l the crews were taken OH ana
the two warships were set on fire. The
Russians also blew up small steamer,
the Suneari, which was acting as a tend
er to the Variag.
The official report of the Chempulo
dcht qiyes the losses on the Nariag as
officer and 80 men killed, officers
SLIGHTLY wounded and II men severely
wounded. There were no losses ooaro
the Korietz. The -oflicers and crews o.
both ships behaved nObly.
A dispatch from Paris says significance
is attached to reports of the possible re-
treat of the Russian forces from Por
Arthur towards the north. The Figaro
which is intensely pro-Russian and en-
lows the favor Of the Russian court, says
The Russian note explaining the delay
in the military operations has had th'
effect of confirming Viceroy Alex
ieT's plan to withdraw northward 10
ward Mukden and Harbin." The mill
tary editor of the Figaro declares TIL
would be a wise and tactical movement
as the Russian troops are better able t
make a stand farther north.
: A representative of the Paris Matln
who has reached the center of the Rus
sian military concentration at HarOi
after great hardships, due to the trans
Siberian Railway trains beng crowue
with thousands of soldiers, i'll dispatc
dated from Harbn, Thursday, confirm
the announcement that that place WI
he the msin base of the Russian Ian
onerations. Thus far the base has SUI
ceeded in maintaining its ccmmunic'
tions with Port Arthur The concentr;
ton of troops, the correspondent say
: nroceeds. systematically, and provlsio
has been made for the speedy arrival
100 GOO men from the divisions OF Mo
COW Kief and Varsovie. Before
= davs shall have elapsed the Russial
will have disposed of an army OF 4oo
, 600 men through Manchuria. lnIen
A decentralization exists among the pop
! lace. and the people of surroundII
Y villages are hocking into the town see
ing to reach western Russia. The RAJ
way trains, however, are blocked, al
over 1000 voyagers are thus held u
The intense cold prevailing increases 4
suffering and adds to the difficulties
bringing forward troops.
- A dispatch from Harbin, Manchur
' dated thursday, say lhO
are concentrated in the lower 1alu Vi
I lev Everybody is in high spirits Al
daily expecting reinforcements. HI
sian families are leaving Manchuua o
inc to the dearness of provisions, all
which are required for the trooI
The N4nchurian and especially t
Transbaikal railroads cannot cope Wi
the demands for transportation. Won
and children are unable toget trains a
many are waiting at the stations, $ $
tering from coal and hunger. l
Chinese are quiet and are bringing
provisions. The rise in prices Is due
~ some extent to the fall i'll the value
- paper money, which in some place.
altogether refused. 1t is expected Il
there will be sufficient supplies OF 5re;
meat, butter, petroleum and fodder,
not enough sugar, preserved meats
linen. and that there will be a gr
scarcity of boots. It is not to be
pected that such stores can arrive
some time.
+ The Russian government yester'
- abolished the censorship upon all nj
and other tAleorams going abroad II