The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-12
JAPANESE ACCOUNT OF
ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR
Captain Matsulnura, of Togos
Flagship, Tells OF the First
Engagement on Feb. 9.
HOT FIRE EXCHANGED

CHICAGO. March ~11-Captain Matsu-
mura, who acted as signal officer on the
Mikasa. Admiral Togos flagship. during
the first attack on Port Arthur on Feb. 3,
gives a graphic story of the fight in the
Jill Shimpo. Japan's most widely circu-
lated newspaper. of the date of Feb. Is.
Copies OF the paper have just been re-
ceived by Shezaburo Shlmizu. japanese con-
sui for Chicago. The account by Captain
Matsumura is the first from a Japanese
eyewitness. The captain was wounded in
the foot as he stood on the bridge of the
Full by a shell from one of the Port Ar
thur batteries.
fact that the Japanese battleship Full was
badly damaged, but not disabled by the
Russian shells, while two OF its ofilcers
Commander Nakayama and Lieutenant
Miura, were killed by a single shell while
standing on the bridge.
Captain Matsumura's description of the
naval battle and the events leading up to
il follow: Admiral Togo called the cap
tains of the allied fleet 10 his flagship in
Sasebo harbor Feb. g. Plans were discussed
but of course were not revealed At 2
o'clock that afternoon the feet left the
harbOr At a. m. on Feb. q smoke was
noticed on the horizon. The Tsukuba was
dispatched to investigate and discovered
the Russian steamer Rossia, which was
captured.
Shortly after this prize was taken Rear
Admiral Uriu and one of the divisions OF
the fleet started for Chemulpo Admiral
Togo directed the hosting of signal flags
that read: Attack the enemy's boats as
soon as they are seen Late that day a
Russian torpedo boat chaser was seen and
shots were exchanged at a distance of
about 5000 meters. The second-claSS cruiser
Chilose and two other smaller vessels were
dispatched at, a. m. on Feb. 3 toward
Port Arthur to reConnoiter. They reported
sighting five of the enemys boats who fired
on them The fortress did not fire, so Ad-
miral Togo signaled: Attack the main fleet
at once
LAS the Janpanese fleet proceeded to-
ward Port Arthur, il met coming out OF
the harbor japanese and Russian mer-
chairman, the Manchuria. The Russian
vessel was captured without firing a shot.
AT IL a. m, at a distance of ten knots
from Port Arthur, one of the enemy S
scoutboats was sighted, and two shots sent
the Japanese fleet formed in fighting line
and approached the harbor. We saw the
Russian men-of-war trying to get back I'M
der the shelter of the fort guns. The Mikasa
fired first and then raised the attacking
flag the enemy answered and the engage
ment became general. The Russian shells
fell short, but the fire from the fortress
damaged the fleet slightly.
"Our men behaved splendidly. They
showed no excitement but grew enthusias-
tic in their work at the guns. We wished
to continue the fire, but the shells from
the shore batteries were becoming alarm
ingly close and we feared the torpedo boats,
so the signal was given to retire.
"Our casualties in this first attack on
Port Arthur were: Killed, two officers,
three noncommissioned officers, one man.
Seriously wounded, two officers, one nom
commissioned officer four midshipmen and
eighteen men. Slightly wounded, four Of
ficers five noncOmmissiOned officers and
twenty-five men.