Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-04-18
JAPAN is GRATIFiEn.
Success Of Togo's Tactics Pleasss th'
People Of His Country.

Peopie OF his Country.
Toxic, April 1S-The Japanese are
elated over the success they have won
at Port Arthur. They are also proud
of the achievements of Vice Admiral
Togo, particularly of his newest STRAIT
egy OF countermilling the enenly's har-
Dor and decoyins him across this field
OF mines to an equally dangerous flank
attack
The success of the system OF placing
deadly countermines is due largely to
a series of careful observations made
by the japanese during their previous
attacks on Port arthur The Japanese
saw the Russian fleet leave the. harbor
and return to ii several times and they
discovered that the Russian warships
followed an Identical course every time
they came out or In. evidently for the
purpose of avoiding their own mines.
The Japanese took bearings on this
course. When the destroyer divisions
of the japanese torpedo fiotilla laid the
center mines during the night of April
18th and 18th, they placed them along
this course. The laying of these count
ermines was exceedingly perilous be-
cause II any Japanese boat with mines
on board had been struck by q lucky
Russian shot she would have been an
lnihilated.
The weather of the night of April 12-
l3 favored the work. There was a
heavy rain. the night was dark. and
cloudy and the Russian searchlights
playing over the channel failed TO re-
veal the presence of the Japanese de-
stroyers.
Rear Admiral Qewa was in command
of the Japanese squadron which deeoy-
ed the Russian ships over the field of
mines. His squadron consisted OF the
cruisers Chitose, Yoshino, Kasagi and
Takasago, all unarmored vessels, which
presented tempting bait for the
heavier Russian ships
Vice Admiral Togo directed the flank
attack He had the battle ships, Hat
suse, Niikasa, Asahi, Shamdshima, Yas-
hima and Full. He waited thirty miles
out at sea until Rear Adnlira. Dewa
signalied him by wireless telegraphy
20 come In. His vessels then dashed at
full speed toward the entrance of the
harbor. All the battleships under Vice
Admiral Togo are capable Of a speed of
eighteen knots and they quickly COW
cred the distance. 1t is not clear what
warned the Russians that they had
been trapped, but they probably dis
cerned the battle ship squadron on the
horizon and retreated precipitately to
the harbor. Vice Admiral Togo did not
succeed in preventing the Russians
from entering but did force them to a
disastrous retreat, which ended in the
destruction of the Petropavlovsk and
the disabling OF the Pobieda. After
these occurrences the cruisers, Nishin
and Kasuge. were used to lombard Port
Arthur. They possess the highest an
gIed guns in the fleet, capable of throw
ling shells to the elevated Russian land
works, which are beyond attainment by
the average naval weapon.
Vice Admiral Togo calls this attack
on Port Arthur the eighth, whereas
here it is numbered the seventh. a
probable explanation is that Vice
Admiral Togo regards the latest oper-
alton as two distinct attacks.
Expressions OF regret at the death OF
Vice Admiral Makaroff are generai
here.
The japanese report that the wreck
of the Petropavloysk lies one mile out
Toxic, April 49, Admiral Baron
Yamamoto. the minister of marine.
sent the following congratulatory meg
sage to Vice Admiral Togo yesterday.
Il am delighted over the success of the
eighth attack on Port Arthur. The re-
suit was splendid and while ii is az.
tributable to the emperors illustrious
virtue. the loyal and gallant action of
the officers and men of the feet played
conspicuous part. Their behavior
leaves nothing to regret. / tender my
congratulations and to the officers ana
men in your command, and hope that
the same noble discharge of duties will
be continued while the present great
national problem lies before US.
"The goal is yet distant. Take the
best care of Yourself in order that you
all may be enabled to firish the great
work expected Of you"