The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-14

Toxic, March 1S.-Oficial and private
reports both indicate that Admiral
Togo's fourth attack on Port Arthur
on March 10 was the most effective
since the first assault of a month ago.
One Russian torpedo boat destroyer
was sunk and several Russian torpedo
boat destroyers were seriously dam
aged.
The Notifications and city were sub
jected to a heavy bombardment lasting
nearly four hours. The naval bonn
bardments of the land works have gen
orally been ineffective, yet the peculiar
geographical conditions of Port Arthur
make immunity from serious loss from
commandment almost, impossible.
Admiral Togo's torpedo fiotilla OPP
ened the action by boldly steaming in
under the batteries and successfully
placing a number of mechanical mines
at the mouth of the harbor. Following
that, there was a desperate bow to bow
encounter between the torpedo boat de-
stroyers, in which the Japanese appear
to have scored a clear victory. Then
followed long range duel between the
cruisers, ending in the retirement of
the Novik and Bayan, the only Russian
cruisers engaged.
BOmbarded the HarbOr.
The closing action was the lombard
ment of the inner harbor by the Jap
anese battleships. The latter took a
nOStiOr7 Of A Yfh1Ir and
used only their 12-inch guns. There
were twenty-four Pinch guns in the
squadron of six battleships, and each
gun was fired five rounds, making a to-
tai of 120 huge projectiles that were
fired at the city.
The bombarment was deliberate and
carefully planned. In order to aid in
perfecting the firing. Admiral Togo
stationed the cruisers in a position due
east of the entrance to the harbor and
at a right angle to the battleships.
The cruisers observed the range and
effect of the firing and signalled the
results and suggestions by wireless
biography.
Admiral Togo was unable to learn
definitely the results of the lombard
ment, but later private reports indi-
cate that much destruction was caused
in the city, where series of fires
broke out. There also was damage
to batteries.
Capt. Shokariasa, commanding the
hotilla of torpedo boat destroyers, had
only three destroyers, but attacked
the six Russian destroyers, ordering
his craft to close in with the enemy.
He steamed so close to the enemy's de-
stroyers that they almost touched. and
a most desperate conflict ensued, from
which the Russians retired badly dis
abled.
Engaged Two More Russians.
The Japanese flotilla, which sank the
mines at the mouth of the harbor later
engaged two Russian destroyers. This
fotilla was commanded by Commander
Tsuchiya.
Admiral Togo's object in sending
cruisers to Talien Wan bay was to
compass the destruction of a signal
station mine depot at Shamshantas.
his object was achieved, and the
buildings were demolished.
Rear Admirals Dewa and Uriu par
u.ipated in the operations under Ad-
I4lral Togo, the details of whose opera
IONS became known in Japan only
,9-day. The news created intense en-
'nusiasm. Admiral Togo's report
anne last night but II was withheld
until shown to the Emperor Ad-
mural Togo is permanently numbered
'inong the heroes Of the empire.
The latest reports place the japanese
Ioss az nine killed five seriously
Mounded and seventeen slightly hurt.
pc japanese fleet was not damaged
h the lighting.
Report Of Togo.
attack.
our squadron. as was prear4anRsd,
lacked the enemy a. Port Arthur On
-lAfeA 10. Notwithstanding the enc
Nyf IRE, one ~ cur torpedo nofilie
nAfcef1nd Ia rfHflnr noectal r1irfn fr