davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14

ST. PETERSBURG. April 1S.-lt is
now believed that the mine which sank
the Petropavlovsk had drifted out OF It's
original position. The latest estimate
of the number Of men who lost their
lives is 500.
After the receipt of definite news OF
Vice Admiral MakarOff's death the NIL
itary censor committee called an eA-
traordinary session to pass upon the
official dispatches A requiem mass Tor
the reDose Of the souls OF vice Al
miral AIakaroff and the other ofncers
and seamen Of the PetropavloVsk has
already been announced 10 take place
in the Admiralty Church tomorrow.
The following official dispatch has
been received here from Rear Admiral
GrigOrOvitch, the cOmmandant at FORT
Arthur, addressed TO the Emperor;
PORT ARTHUR, April lS.-The Pc
tropavlOvsk struck a mine, which blew
her up and she turned turtle. Our
SQUADRON was under Golden Hill The
Japanese squadron was approaching
Vice Admiral Makaroff evidently was
lost. Grand Duke Cyril was saved. He
was slightly injured. Captain Jack
ovsleff was saved. though severely in
3ured as were five officers and thirty
two men. all more or less injured.
THE enemy's fleet has disappeared
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
LIKE LOSING GREAT BATTLE.
Irretrievable Loss to Russian Strength
and Prestige.

snecfal Cable to The Call and New York Her
aid Copyright. 1904. by the New YORK
Herald Publishing Company
PARIS, April 13.-The terrible dis
aster that has visited the Port Arthur
feet NAV have grave consequences for
Russia. Admiral Makaroff had raised
the spirits of the sailors, and, although
not i'm favor of taking the offensive, he
constantly went out to meet the en-
ernv's feet and seemed bent upon fall
ing unawares upon the japanese naval
forces escorting troops. in case land
ing should be attempted by the Japan
ese on the shores of Liaotung Gulf.
1t is allowable to believe that it was
this dangerous prospect which up to
now prevented the Japanese scheme to
land on the northwest OF west coast OF
the gulf.
To-day the Russian squadron at Port
Arthur is diminished by one of its most
formida bic. fighting units, and he who
inf1amed the Russian tars with thrill
ing enthusiasm is dead. 1t would seem
that the boldness of the Japanese will
now increase beyond all bounds and
that the disaster of April 13, already
so poignant in itself, may have for the
Russian army the same consequences
as the loss of a great naval battle.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14

ST. PETERSBURG. April lS.-
The definite announcement that vice
Admiral Makaroff was drowned mas
cast a gloom over the entire city. IL
is generally believed that he will be
succeeded by Rear Admiral Rojest-
vensky, who was slated to command
the Baltic squadron, and that vice Al
miral Skrydloff, commander OF the
Black Sea fleet, will be placed IN COM
mand of the Baltic squadron
Vice Admiral Makaroff was appoint
ed on February 26 last to the COMMAND
of the Russian Pacific fleet. He was one
of the heroes Of the fighting on the
Danube River during the Russo-Turk-
ish war Makaroff and Skrydloff, who
have since many times been honored
by their Government, were at that time
lieutenants in the Russian navy and
volunteered to make night attack on
a powerful Turkish ironclad. With
torpedo-b boat they succeeded in blowing
up the Turkish vessel, and, it was as
serted at the time, thereby made the
first successful demonstration of the
usefulness of torpedo-boats in modern
naval warfare.
Makaroff originated the idea of con-
steamer Ermak, which was built on the
Tyne from his designs.
Since his appointment to the COM
mand of the Russian Pacific heet
Makaroff has shown himself to be
man of great courage and energy.
Early in March he personally went to
the rescue of a Russian torpedo-Doat
destroyer which was hard pressed Dy
the Japanese, and inspired the naval
forces under his command with great
deal of enthusiasm. He passed Easter
on board a guardship at the entrance
of Port Arthur, and every night per-
sonally supervised the precautionary
measures adopted to prevent the Rus-
slams being surprised by the japanese.
The last engagement previous to the
fight of to-day in which MakarOff took
part occurred on March q, when he
gallantly reDulsed the second attempt
of the Japanese to 'bottle" Port Ar
thur.
Vice Admiral Makaroff enjoyed the
reputation throughout the length and
breadth of the Russian empire of be-
ing a dashing officer, delighting in bril-
liant achievements and bold, aggres-
sive action. He was given the sobri-
quet of THE Cossack of the Sea-" and
when he went to Port Arthur to take
command of the Russian warships in
Far Eastern waters great confidence
was felt from the fact that the direc-
ton of Russian naval operations was
in good hands. The command of the
fleet was given to Vice Admiral Maka-
rolf when the command of the field
forces was given to General Kuropat-
kin, and both officers were to operate
in harmony with Admiral Alexieff, the
Russian Viceroy in the Far East.
Vice Admiral MakarOff reached Port
Arthur early in March, and he was at
once heard from. On the morning Of
March IL the Russian torpedo-boat
f1otilla left Port Arthur and attacked
the Japanese fleet. One Japanese tor
pedo-boat was reported to have been
sunk in this engagement, and II is
known that the Russians lost a tor
pedC-boat destroyer, the Stereguscht-
chi.
Vice Admiral Makaroff inaugurated
his command of the Russian fleet with
a complete change of tactics. When
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
SUNK BY SUBMARINE BOAT.
One Theory of the Destruction of the
PetrODaVlOvsk.

PARIS, April 1.-THE correspondent
of the Matin at st. Petersburg tele-
graphs the following:
"A high parsonage at court has
given the details received by the En-
peror. according to which Vice Ad-
miral Makaroff went out on the Pc
tropavloVsk to ascertain the position
of the Japanese fleet. After he had
been out for an hour he saw several
vessels, which retired. Shortly after
ward he perceived the Japanese squad
ron of thirty vessels, and, not being
strong enough to attack, he returned
to Port Arthur. When two miles out
side the entrance an explosion. liter
ally hurled the battleshfp out of the
water. completely overturning her.
Grand Duke Cyril and a couple of score
men alone managed to swim to land.
Vice Admiral Makaroff's plan of
campaign was lost with him.
Grand Duke Cyril is suffering only
from slight contusions.
1T is not known whether the catas-
trophe was due to floating mine or 10
q Japanese submarine vessel. The
Japanese certainly witnessed the catas-
trophe."
The Echo de Paris st. Petersburg
correspondent says that the Emperor,
when reading the dispatch from Rear
Admiral Grigorovitch, commanding at
Port Arthur, announcing the loss OF
the Petropavlovsk, turned pale he
was much moved, and did not speak
for several minutes. Then he asked a
Iadv in waiting to inform the Empress,
who burst into tears
The Emperor ordered the news made
public Immediately and commanded
the commission of censorship to COM
municate the dispatch to the news
paper correspondents. He next sent
for his confessor to celebrate re-
ouiem His Majesty said:
God has willed that the Yenesei
should perish by touching a mine and
that the Boyarin should be damaged.
Now. Providence, whose designs are
inscrutable, has willed also to deprive
us of the Petropavlovsk and the brave
men aboard her..
The Emperor telephoned to the
Grand Duke Vladimir, announcing the
loss of the ship and also the fact that
Grand Duke CyriFs life had been saved,
and then he telephoned to Vice Ad-
miral Makaroffs widow, preparing her
for the fatal news.
The St Petersburg correspondent of
the Echo de Paris telegraphed the fol-
lowing under yesterdays date:
'sAt 8 O'Clock to-day the Emperor tel
egraphed to Viceroy Alexieff, urging
him to go to Port Arthur Immediately
and assume command of the squadron
pending the appointment of Vice Ad-
miral Makaroff's successor. The Vice
roy leaves tonight.
'Rumors that Rear Admiral Prince
Ouktomsky was in action against
eighteen Japanese vessels this after
noon are still unconfirmed.
Grand Duke Cyril teIegraphs that
he is suffering from burns on the neck
and contusionS on the knees.
''It is certain that only two minutes
elapsed between the explosion and the
sinking of the battleship."
The st. Petersburg correspondent of
the journal says that Grand Duke
Cyril was on the bridge of the Petro-
pavlovsk when the explosion occurred
and was thrown into the sea. which led
to the saving of his life Vice Admiral
Makaroff was in the cabin of the bat
tleship with Rear Admiral Molas. The
explosion overturned the battleship.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
WOES OF THE KOREANS.
Japanese Camp Followers Are Circu-
Iating Counterfeit Money.

SEOUL. Korea, April 1S.-The Jap
anese authorities have established a
censorate over Korean newspapers
which publish the movements Of Jap
Anese troops.
A japanese rabble which has fol-
lowed the army over here has brought
in a quantity Of counterfeit bank notes
and Korean nickel coins for circula-
ton among the ignorant natives, and
the use Of their base money is making
much trouble.
The wretched condition of Korea's
finances is evidenced by the fact that
the War Office is without funds. and II
has been compelled to order the pre-
fects along the routes taken by the
Korean troops on their marches 10 the
north TO Victual and supply the sol
diers without compensation. In spite
of this condition the Minister Of Pub
lie instruction has proposed edu-
cational reforms and the re-eXamina-
tiOn OF recent graduates from the i'm
perial schools. The agitation against
such reforms is of long standing, and
few results from the new proposals
are expected.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
OF THE SEA-
IDOL OF RUSSIAN NAVY
Makaroffs History a Record of Success
Won by Skill and Daring.

he saw the flight of the Stereguscntcnl
he went personally to her rescue ana
attempted in a most brilliant manner
to save her.
His direction of the Russian opera
tions on March IL was believed TO nave
rendered the Japanese efforts 1utlie-
When the news OF his succeSs1ul ex-
pIoit at Port Arthur, so soon after his
arrival there, was known in st. Peters
burg he became the hero OF the nour.
His name was on every tongue In tne
Russian capital and he was Loudly ac-
claimed, and many predictions OF orll-
liant conduct and successful initiative
were made for him
Makaroff's ideas concerning war
ships ran counter to those of many
naval experts. One of his pet averstons
was arrnor. He was ever Outspoken IN
his criticisms of heavy battlesh1ps,
which, he contended, placed too many
eggs in a single basket and he always
showed his partiality for a fleet com
passed of a large number OF swift, un-
armored cruizers, armed with heavy
guns and attended by an unlimited
number of torpedo boats.
When the Russian Emperor sent
Vice Admiral Makaroff and General
Kuropatkin to the Far East he said
in a telegram to Viceroy Alexieff:
'I have found it expedient to send
to your assistance General kuropat-
kin for the direction of the land forces
with the rights of army commander,
and Vice Admiral Makaron for the d.
rection of the sea forces with the
rights of fleet commander. 1 am con-
vinced that the appointment OF those
independent, responsible commanders
in chief will enable you as my lieu
tenant to discharge the difficult and
historic task which has fallen TO your
lot"
On March % Vice Admiral Makar-
off sent the following dispatch to the
War Relief Society at Kronstadt, Rus
sia from Port Arthur:
Last night was a very hot one. but
we cannot hope for1a very quiet time.
either now or in the near future 1
sleep without undressing in order that
1 may be ready for any emergency
Consequently 1 cannot observe your
medical advice TO take care OF myseIf.
Nevertheless, feel splendidly-
Vice Admiral Makaroff served as
commander of the Port Arthur squad
ron. as we'll as commander in chief OF
the entire Russian fleet in the Far
East.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
NEW VERSION OF AFFAIR.
BattIeship Said to Have Been Cut OF
and TorpcdOed.

ROME, April 1S.-The Chefu CORES
pondent of the Agenzia Liberia tele-
craphs: ''This morning Admiral Ma
kakoff made a sortie from Port Arthur
with his whole squadron. He was at
tackled by the entire Japanese fleet,
which was concealed at the back of
Miaotos islands. On seeing how he
had been trapped, Makaroff attempted
to get back to Port Arthur, but the
Japanese warships, being much speed
Ter than the Russians, cut off Maka-
roff's retreat and he was forced to
fight against enormous odds. The re-
suit of the engagement was disastrous
to the Russians, who had all their
ships damaged. The battleship Pet
ropavlovsk was sunk by torpedo
boats and was struck by no fewer than
FIVE torpedoes and blown up.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
TOWN EXPOSED TO CANNON.
Japanese Do Not Regard Position
Held by Russians as Tenable.

SEOUL, Korea, April 13.-The Japa-
nese military authorities do not attach
great Importance to the fortification by
the Russians of Chinliangcheng, a
walled town directly across the Yalu
River from Wiju. The town is situated
on plain and is commanded by an old
Korean hill fort near Wiju. which is
occupied by Japanese artillery. AT low
water it is possible to ford the Yalu,
which flows in many shallow channels.
The japanese will utilize Koreans
and Chinese in cutting timber from the
concession which was formerly a source
of dispute between Russia and Japan.
General Haragiichi, commander of
the Japanes forces at Seoul, and suite
were received in audience by the EN-
peror of Korea to-day.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
MAKARoFFs POPULARITY.
BritOns Pay Tribute to the Dead Rus
sian Admiral.

LONDON, April 1.-THE late Admiral
Makaroff spoke English fiuently and
was we'll known in Englani, especially
in the Newcastle-on-Tyn district,
where he resided while the Armstrong;
were building his ice breaker, the
Ermak. His courtesy and social quail
ties made him very popular and the
editorials in this mornings newspapers
deplore his loss with genuine sympa-
thy, paying tributes of admiration to
the way he met a hero's death In
carrying out his own oft-expressed
conviction that "he who wishes to in
sure victory should determine either
to conquer or to die"
In emphasizing the tragedy of the
admiraTs fate it is recalled that the
question of saving lives on warships
that had been torpedoed had been a
matter of profound study with him
The editorials also extend sympathy
to the Russian nation in the series OF
misfortunes which have pursued the
navy, and comment upon the enormous
advantage this catastrophe gives to
Japan, even if the Russian disaster is
not worse than reported in the official
dispatches.
No actual news has yet reached Lon
don beyond the Russian official tele-
gram, but dispatches from Weihaiwei
induce the confident belief here that a
naval engagement occurred off Port
Arthur of a severe character, and that
later kilograms will show that the Rus
slams suffered a severer loss than is
admitted.
One rumor is to the effect that Rear
Admiral Molas was among those killed
aboard the Petropavlovsk.
1t is rumored at Plymouth that the
Hamburg American line steamship
Deutschland, which arrived at Cher
bourgh yesterday from New York, has
made her last Atlantic voyage and
that she will be purchased by Russia.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
RUSSIA FURTHER CRIPPLED.
Loss of Vice Admiral Makaroff an Ir-
reparable Disaster.

PARIS. April 1S.-The disaster to
the Russian battleships PetropavlOvsk
and the drowning Of Vice Admiral
Makaroff caused CONSERVATION in Rus
sian quarters here and made a deep
impression everywhere. The Foreign
Office and the Russian and japanese
representatives had not received Of
fcial advices on the subject up TO this
hour, and were dependent upon the
press reports.
The Chefu report that a battle fol-
lowed Admiral Makaroff's sortie led al
first TO the belief that the Petropav-
lovsk was sunk in an engagement, but
this view Of the loss Of the battleship
was changed when later press dis
patches were received.
The death Of Admiral Makaroff is
generally regarded in official circles as
further seriously Gripping the Rus
sian naval position.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
FORTY VESSELS UNDER TOGO.
Eye Witness Describes Attack Upon
Admiral Mal1aroT's Fleet.

LONDON, April 14.-Reporting from
sea by wireless telegraphy, a CORES
pondent of the Times sends the follow
ing account of yesterdays battle:
Last night we ran into dirty, rainy
weather. At 4:30 o'clock this morning,
amid the rain squalls, we sighted a
squadron. AS the light increased it
proved to be the japanese fleet of six
battleships, followed by a first-class
the third and fourth being the Kasuga
and the Nisshin, which were making
their first appearance with the fleet.
With the Mikasa leading, the vessels
were shaping their course for Port Ar
thur. Forty miles distant from Port
Arthur the battleships drew out at full
speed The Kasuga and the Nisshin
Joined the battleships, the other cruis-
ers remaining behind, the interval be-
tween being maintained by the divis-
ion Of torpedo boat destroyers and a
dispatch boat
"As We neared Port Arthur we
found two irst-class and four second
class cruisers already there. This
squadron had covered the torpedo at
tack in the small hours of the morn
ing.
The battleships now hoisted their
fighting flags and steamed in the same
lOfmduOn, Ine MlkaSa leading and the
new ships bringing up the rear, to
within six miles of Port Arthur's
frOwning promontory.
AT 1920 o'clock the shore batter
les opened, but the fire was only des-
ultory and it seemed as though Vice
Admiral Togo was making a demon
stration rather than a bombardment
Three times Togo's fighting squad
ron circled in front of the enemy's DO
sitiOn, drawing a desultory reply and
at,noon the Admiral withdrew his bat
tleships to the southwark.
1T was an inspiring spectacle to
see how this magnificent fleet maneu-
vered. IL was the most powerful in
dividual feet that ever sailed the
Eastern seas, consisting of forty YES
sells, including the torpedo division.
The battleships went in boldly, while
the less protected vessels maneuvered
with them, conforming to their evolu-
tions at a safer distance.
Although / went closer than ever
before, 1 saw no sign of the Russian
ships. ] could. however, make out the
lighthouse. The japanese were man.
euvering at eighteen knots and appar-
entity suffered no damage. while the
expenditure of ammunition was small.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
LATE NEWS WITHHELD.
Outcome of Ouktomsl>y's Attack upon
Japanese Is Unknown.

Outcome OF OuklODiShS @NeN'
Japanese Is Unknown.
ST. PETERSBURG, April l4.-Wna
has been the issue of the combat pe-
tween Rear Admiral Ouktomsky anu
the Japanese fleet, or whether nght
has actually taken place, is not known
in St. Petersburg. At 2:30 O'Clock TINS
morning the commission of censors ad-
1ourned after announcing that no Iur-
ther news had been communicated
The Official Messenger received
dispatch at 6:39 o'clock from Prince
Ouktorusky. but whether it was sent
before his departure in pursuit OF tne
Japanese fleet or after his return the
editor of that journal does not know:
Despite official and private oIs-
patches. the belief prevails that many
details of the catastrophe to the re
tropavlovsk have been suppressed py
the Admiralty. The reinforcement OF
the enemy was the controlling reason
for Makaroff's return to Port arthur,
h1lt a factor in this decision also was
undoubtedly the plan of campaign nol
to engage a superior force OF run tle
risk of damage to his ships, put 10
wait patiently for the arrival OF the
Baltic squadron.
lowing Easter Sunday, which In past
wears has been a time OF gayety anu
feasting. but the terrible news from
Port Arthur has plunged the city into
the deepest gloom.
The NoVosti this morning SloWlhsy
eulogizes Vice Admiral MakaroI, re-
calling the vigilance and persistency
with which he patrolled the sea In en-
deavoring to induce the Japanese 10
engage in combat. The paper says:
.sIn Russia the news of the untlmely
end of the brave commander calls forth
deep grief. The death OF the eAperi-
enced, warlike and gifted admlrai'
whose authority was recognized every
where. especially in a land OF sailors
England. is in the highest degree re-
grettable The bitterness is hghtened
cnIv bv the knowledge that the admiral
died at the post of duty and that the
feet has other gifted officers VINO VIII
nrolong his grand activity.
"In any case we have got to reckon
Immediately with the consequences oi
| the catastrophe. Above ALL it is ex-
nected that the japanese will hasten
! TO take advantage Of the catastrophe
and renew their attack on Port Ar
thur. Now, more than ever, our sail
! ors need \alI their self-possesslon aho
manliness in order to repulse the en-
envy. The Japanese are greatly mis-
| taken if they think this fatal accl-
dent can in the slightest measure
shake the strong and steady deter
mination of Russia to carry on the
war to a glorious end"
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
LAUNCHED SIX YEARS AGO.
Petropavlovsk One of the Most Power
full of Russian Warships.

The Petropavlovsk, which twice
previously had been reported damaged
in Japanese attacks on Port Arthur,
was a Arst-class battle ship Of 1O,96O
tons displacement and IA, ,213 indicat-
ed horsepower She was 36711 feet
long, had 50 feet beam and her ar
mored belt was of about 16 inches of
steel, with ten inches of steel armor
on her turrets. Her armament con-
sisted of four 12-inch, twelve 6-inch
and thirty-four smaller guns and six
torpedo tubes. The Petropavlovsk
was fully manned with 700 men. She
was built at st. Petersburg and was
completed in 1898.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
AMERICANS KNEW MAKAROFF.
Russian Admiral Visited the United
States Some Years Ago.


WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The news
of the death of Admiral Makaroff
caused a profound sensation in naval
and military circles here, for he was
probably better known than any other
Russian naval officer. This was be-
cause of the fact that he had visited
the United States in 1S96-97 and also
commanded the Russian North Pacific
squadron. which brought him into fire.
quent contact with American naval Of
fcers ia those waters and sometimes
took him into American ports on the
west coast.
The general opinion is that Maka-
roff was an officer Of singular ability
as a sailor. being thoroughly scientific
in his methods. of more than usual in
telligence and of physical presence
which gave him a splendid power Of
command. In the matter of personal
bravery he had no superior. q
When Admiral Makarbm visited the
United States at the date named he
went to Newport, where he met Ad-
miral Taylor and Captain Converse at
the War College and Torpedo School.
Captain Converse says that from first
10 last he showed the highest powers
Of observation and he criticized intel
ligently every detail of the process of
making smokeless powder for the
at Newport naval station. At that time
the station was making smokeless
powder in the shape of long strips,
which were arranged like fagots in
I the carriage case. This form is now
in use in the Russian and French
navies and there are signs of a dis
position on the part of the United
/ States navy TO return to its use. II
was abandoned principally because OF
1 the difficulty of driving the striDS so
as to keep them from warping.
Admiral Makaroff inquired how the
strips were dried straight and Captain
I Converse told him that this was oc-
complished with difficulty by placing
weights upon them while drying
1 Makaroff explained that his process
was better. 1t consisted in forming
I the strip with a small hole in one end
and hanging it while drying from one
/ of many thousands of hooks in a suit
able building. The plan is practiced
I to-day.