The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-03-03
THEIR RUSE FAILED
The Plueky Japs Went Against Hard
Proposition
RECEIVED A STUNNING REPuLsE
All Does Not Appear to Be Smooth
Sailing 10 the Hopeful Hosts of the
Island Kingdom.

--S-
St. Petersburg. BY Cab,e.-Repor,s
of a Russian victory at Port Arthur
were current late Wednesday after
noon and early in the evening, but
the stories Of the dimensions Of this
victory were most conflicting and con-
fusing in character.
The most circumstantiai report was
that the Japanese had attempted TO
bottle up Admiral Starks feet in Port
Arthur by sinking two stone laden
vessels at the entrance Of the harbor,
employing the tactics which were
considered, but not executed, by the
late Admiral Sampson, U. 8. n, with
the Merrimac at Santiago during the
Spanish.American war. According to
this account two japanese ships ap-
peared of the harbor with a japanese
fleet behind them and ostensibly in
pursuit. The Russians however, sus-
pected a ruse, and their ships steam
ed out, sank the stone-ladened vessels
and engaged and defeated the enemy
and drove them off. The reports Of
the losses inflicted, however, are con-
ficting. All the stories include the
feature OF the vessels laden with
stones, but, according to some YER
sions, the japanese feet was convoy
ing the two ships with a purpose Of
effecting a landing at Pigeon Bay,
and with the failure of this prelim-
mary maneuvre. the Russians played
havoc with both the Japanese war
ships and the transports, sinking
four of the former and two Of the
latter. One account gives the name
of the battleship Retzivan as the yes
sci which particularly distinguished
herself during the action by ramming
and sinking one of the Japanese bat
tleships
Rumors Of this victory were spread
far and wide over the city during the
early part Of the evening, and the
crowds which gathered in the streets.
in spite of the severe cold, to discuss
the news. were greatly excited. The
news of the victory was accompanied
by the two stories, one that after the
first decisive Russian victory the EN-
peror would offer peace, and the 9TH
or that Japan had depcsed the Emper-
CT Of Corea, and formally annexed
that country. Both these reports are
without confirmation, and they are
given simply as examples OF the
stories which fioated about in the ex
cited crowds.
Instead of diminishing the crowds
at the admiralty and newspaper and
telegraph agencies Offices kept in
creasing and the excitement attained
the fever point when 1t was definitely
known that the Emperor had received
a telegram giving more details and
showing that the Russian victory was
even greater than was at first report
ed Newspaper messengers waited
ct the admiralty with fast horses
ready to carry away the news while
II was being prepared. When the
sheets were finally distributed at $50
o'clock this morning a rush was made
for the exits and the assembled Off.
GERS cheered wildly and repeatedly.
The crowds showed no inclination to
disperse, showing that further news
would be received showing the exact
extent Of the Russian victory.
It must be observed that In mis- dis.
patch Viceroy Alexieff does not men
tion the number Of steamers which
the Japanese tried to sink, or drive
upon the Russian ships. and 1t is not
yet known whether the four vessels
the captain of tie Retziyan observed
going down were also laden with in
fammables or whether they we're
warships.
The greatest praise is given TO the
commander Of the Retzivan, and the
splendid action of this Americsp-
Duiit vessel places her name foremost
on the roll of the Russian navy.
Viceroy Alexieffs dispatch was an
smplification of a brief telegram re.
ceived by the Emperor earlier, but
which was not given out.
Later it was said that Russia sus-
tanned no losses in the engagement.
It is evident that Vice Admiral
Stark no longer commands the Rus
sian Port Arthur naval forces, Vice
roy Alealeff mentioning temporary
commander Of the feet without Civ
ing any name.