The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-03-03
THE VAR.
A Record Of the Progress of Events in
the Far East.

Nearly week before the first blow
was struck, it was seen that the pro-
longed tension between Japan and
Russia had reached a climax. At
Cabinet conferen in Toxic, hope of
peace was practically abandoned, for
the reason that while Russia was IN
reasonably delaying her reply to the
last japanese note, she was daily in
creasing her warlike activities. When
this long-awaited Russian document
was sent to the Russian minister at
Toxic, it was never delivered. 1t was
known in advance, that while Russia
partly conceded the demands of japan
regarding Korea, important reserva-
tions were made, and that as regards
Manchurja the reply would refuse to
place on record recognition of the SOW
ereignty of China in Manchuria, or
even to discuss that question with ia
pan. Russia had protested pacific in
tentions up to the last moment, but
was daily increasing her military and
naval activity.
japanese residents were told to
leave Vladivostok by the Russian su-
thorities, the Port Arthur fleet was
modified, and 20, 900 troops began
to move with the view of occupying
northern Korea. japan continued ex-
traordinsry preparations for instant
action, but the plans OF her army and
navy were so carefully guarded thai
no news of them was published. On
Saturday, February 6, the Russian
note was already in the hands of
Baron de Rosen, the Russian minister
at Toxic for delivery to Baron Ko-
mura, tine japanese foreign minister,
when at four in the afternoon NJ.
Kurino, the japanese minister at St.
Petersburg, called personally to in
form the Russian Government that in
view of the delays in connection with
the Russian replies, and the futility
of the negotiations, Japan considered
it useless to continue diplomatic re-
lations. Japan would take such steps
as she deemed proper for the protection
of her interests, therefore NJ. Kurino
asked for his passports. The Russian
minister, few hours later, prepared
to leave Toxic as soon as possible.
Hostilities were expected to begin a
any moment.
The startling action of Japan in
severing diplomatic relations before
the actual delivery of the Russian note
came like bolt from a clear sky in
St. Petersburg. Russia officially
placed the blame for the rupture on
Japan, but the Unlocking world be-
lieved the clash inevitable, and was
relieved that the tangle of useless di-
plomacy had been cut. 1t was ex-
pected that Japan would invade Korea,
and seek a nval battle within twenty
four hours. This was a fair forecast,
for in less time forty japanese trans
ports were loaded with troops to be
landed at various points in Korea. A
naval division sailed from Japanese
waters for Chemulpo and another for
Port Arthur. The cable was cut be-
tween Japan and Korea by the Japa-
nese Government. The first japanese
force was disembarked at Masanpo,
yet the Russian forces remained inact.
i've.
AT midnight of Monday Japan
struck the first blow by sea, and with
in twenty four hours after the opening
OF hostilities eleven Russian warships
had been put out of action. The first
engagement was the most successful
torpedo fotilla attack in the history
OF modern warfare. The Russian feet
at anchor under the guns of Port Ar.
thur, keeping careless watch, was
thrown into great confusion by the
onslaught OF several Japanese torpedo
vessels, which escaped unframed in
the darkness. They left behind them
badly damaged, and useless tor service,
the first class battleships Retvizan,
and Czarevitch, which were beached,
and the cruiser Palada, which was
torpedoed and sunk.
The Japanese fleet of sixteen vessels
returned to Port Arthur In the fore
noon of the next day, and opened a
heavy long-range bombardment on
the Ru sian ships and forts. The re-
turn fire was Intellectual. The first
class LNt'leship Poltava and the orui-
sers Diana, Askold. and Novik were
struck. and holes smashed below the
water line.
IL may be stated that in the torpedo
attack two marines were killed, five
drowned and eight wounded. In the
bombardment, Admiral Alexief re-
ported that two Russian officers and
fifty-one men were wounded, and nine