Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-13
Russian Warships Have
Become Scattered.
Defeated in Engagement by
Admiral Togo's Squadron.
Several Cruisers Escape to Neutra'
Ports on Chinese Coast-Son and
Hair Born to the Gar and Czarina
Of Russia.

the ATTEMPT Of the Russian Port Ar
thur squadron to reach Fladlvostok
failed and the vessels have become
widely scattered.
One torpedo boat destroyer put into
f-he Foo whore she was boarded and
captured by the japanese.
The battleship CZarevitch, the crulS
er Novik and a torpedo boat have ar
rived at Tsingchou, at the entrance VI
Kiaochou bay. the German cohcessio'i
on the southern shore of Shahtuhe
peninsula. According to other ulS-
matches. the cruiser Askold is also at
TsIngchou. but advices to the German
foreign office do not include her.
Another Russian cruiser and tor
pedo boat destroyer are reported az
fear Shanghai, and four battieshlps
are off the Saddle island. about ~
miles southeast OF that port. che FOO
reports that one Russian torpedo boat
vas captured off the Chinese coast,
and Toxic hears that n number of the
vessels of .ne squadron have returned
to Port Arthur.
The German foreign office has given
instructions that the uninjured RUS
sian warships at TsingChou must leave
port within "a hours.
The Japanese system of cominunica-
ton has heretofore been 50 perfect that
there is little doubt but the government
Is thoroughly Informed of the position
of the various boats of the escaped fleet
and she will either be able to drive
them into neutral ports or attack at
will.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 12.-The En-
peror has received the following dis
patch from Viceroy Alexieff, dated
Aug. II:
according to a report from the COM
mandant at Port Arthur the squadron
put to sea Aug. 10. The steamer Mon
golia followed the squadron. The fol-
lowing Japanese vessels were on til"
horzon-three first class cruisers. eight
small cruisers and II torpedo boats.
The port had been bOmbardeI with
siege guns for the past four days"
Everything else from military
standpoint seems to be forgotten i'll
the general anxiety concerning the fate
of the Port Arthur squadron. The flu
turc plans Of the admiralty hang upon
the preservation of the bulk of the
squadron and 1t is not too much to SAY
that the present is regarded as being
the most critical moment of the war.
The admiralty till noon declared that
n was without official adviCeS as to the
whcrea bouts OF the squadron and could
not confirm the report that the protect
ed cruiser Novik and another RUSSIAN
warship thc battlcshp Czarevitch
had put into TsingChau at the entranc"
OF kiaochou bay. the German conceS-
sion on the Shantung peninsula. Never
thcless private dispatches seem to
show that tho SQUADRON may have been
communicating with Russia after pass
ing the Shantung promotory and hone
is high that the squadron successfully
broke through the Japanese ships and
is now steaming for NladivOstOk.
The departure Of the squadron In the
face Of the superior Japanese fleet Is
commended by all classes.
Tho paperS consider that tho squad
ron Is taking desperate chances but at
the Same time they are loud I'm their
praise Of its dash.
The Russ says:
THE squadron IS now somewhere In
pacific waters. discharginC it's heroic
duty The praises Of all Russia accom-
pany it.
The Novoo Nrcm-a believes that the
vagurncss Of Admiral ToGo's report
shows that he Is trying to hide I'M
pleasant truths now indefinitely known
The armorcd cruiser Rayan did not
accompany tho squadron, the injury
she sustained bv tho explosion Of 4
floating mine having rendered this i'm
possible
The admiralty declines to confirm q,
deny the che Foo sport that the Nladi-
vOstOk squadron has been reinforced
ny purchased warships. but the report
Is given credence.
The action of the Japanese torpedo
boat destroyers in attacking and tow
ing out the dofcECeleSS Russian tor
redo boat destroyer Ryeshiteln at Oh.
Foo is regarded in diplomatic circle:
NJ being a grave matter for japan
When the facts are officially establish
ed no doubt exists that Russia will
promptly call the attention of the pow
ers to this breach of the neutrality o
China.
Aside from the possible ouestionahl
right Of an unin,ured warship to seel
sanctuary in a neutral port when no
forced to do So by stress of weather q
lack Of coal and provisions all the dir
lomats agree as to the absolute Illegal
ty of belliEerent ships entering neutra
ports and there committing hostile acts
The case so far as the facts are know
is considered much more fragrant thai
that ut Chemulpo where all the foreig,
commanders except the commanders O
the American warship there proteste,
against the proposal of the Japanes
60 enter and fight the Russian cruiser
Variag and KOreitz in a neutral har
Dor.
/
ST. Petersburg. Aug. 12.-212 p. VI
The action of the Japanese torped
boat destrcyers in attacking and tow
ing off the defenceless Russian totpe
do boat destroyer Ryeshitelni at Oh
Foo is regarded in diplomatic circle
as being a grave matter for Japar