The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-20
RUSSIANS NOW say
GOD IS WITH US"

ST. PETERSBURG, May 20. a. m.-Tne
loss Of AT least two japanese warships Is
officially confirmed message. dated Port
Arthur. received by carrier pigeon al Muk-
den. was transmitted TO the Emperor early
yesterday morning saying that two Japa-
nese warships had been lost off that port
The message followed the Emperor TO
Koursi and no one here knew its contents
until late last night, when foreign kilograms
brought full details of the Japanese loss.
Early in the afternoon reports of the sink
ing OF the Skikishima and the Full. on
the authority of Russian refugees from Dali
ny, began TO circulate and aroused the most
intense interest When later confirmation
came Of the sinking of at least two Japanese
warships the greatest enthusiasm was man
ifested. Without reference to its effect on
the campaign the people attribute the en-
emy's disaster to divine interposition in the
Russian cause.
1T is an Offering to Russia upon the day
Of Ascension, and the Emperor's birthday,
and it Is "A sign that God is with u.s." was
the remark generally heard.
II stranger entered the city tonight he
would find II decorated with flags and bunt-
ing and Illuminated devices as though in
y
really So as the decorations are in celebra-
ton of the Emperor's birthday.
In naval circles the japanese catastrophe
Is a matter for rejoicing, though regrets
are expressed that brave men have lost
their lives, just Japan voiced its sorrow
TO the world when brave men went down
with the Petropavlosk. But this feeling Of
Thanksgiving for the blow inflicted on the
sea power OF the enemy. II is pointed out
that the Hatsuse was one of Japan's finest
h2f and Tlalr ha nj
possibly four warships at intervals OF a
few days cannot fail to deeply affect Japan
and TO influence the course of the cam
palgn- -
rect news of the sinking of the Shikishima
and the Full but there Is an impression
that II may be true The reports: at any
rate, have infused fresh life and enthu,
siasm I'm official circles. where ii is believed
that the tide has turned
No surprise is expressed by the Admiralty
at the japanese vessels striking Russian
mines. the Admiralty expecting such a
mishap 70 Vice Admiral Togo. particularly
since the naval commanders at Port Ar
thur have faithfully duplicated his plan
paylovSk. Wherever off Port Arthur the
Japanese squadron appeared during the
stole out and carefully planted contact
mines. which. floating below the surface.
would not be touched by the .destroyers,
mine fields would be sure to strike them.
The favorite point selected by the Japa-
nese for bombardments of Port Arthur is
Laio-Tl-Shan prOmcntory, and the water
there has been thickly sown with Russian
mines Other points besides Liao-Ti-Shan
have also been mined and it has been
dangerous for the Japanese ships to cruise
IN those waters. .s-
The effect of the disaster undoubtedly will
be TO cause Togo TO be more cautious, for
he must save his squadron for the contest
Tor the supremacy OF the sea with the
Baltic fiest when it arrives in the Pacific.
The loss of the Hatsuse, irrespective of
other casualties which may have occurred
m Togo's fleet. is of the utmost importance.
according 10 the general staff, members OF
which pointed out 10 the Associated Press
that II tends to restore the equilibrium
afoat Despite the number of casualties
In the Russian fleet IL has really lost only
one battleship. the Petropavlovsk. IL is
true that the Retvizan and the Czarevitch
were torpedoed at the beginning of the
war. but both those battleships were safely
towed into Port Arthur. The damage they
sustained was serious particularly to the
Czarevitch. but repairs have been in prog
ress since then and the officials state that
ire Retvtzan Is practically ready 10 resume
her place In the fighting line. The Care
witch Is still undergoing repairs and it will
be some time before she. can put to sea
Prior TO the isolation of Port Arthur sew
era1 thousand shipwrights entered the city
and they have since been rushing the work
Of repair.