The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-01
Recent Attempt of Japs Failed ORy Because They Had
 Too Few Steamers
TOGO ALLOWED TIE SAME
 CREW ID MAN TIE BOATS
Defending Destroyers of the laps Were So Close to Russian Fire That Faces Were Scorched
 By Guns.

London, April IA correspondent Of the Times at sea. in a wireless telegram, via Wei Hai Wei, describing the latest attempt of the Japanese to bottle up Port Arthur, says:
 After the bombardment of March 22, Vice Admiral Togo waited until better weather before re-attempting to bottle up Port Arthur. The officers who con- ducted the first attempt insisted on their right to complete their work. The ad- mral consented and the same officers were chosen, but the crews and stokers were selected from new volunteers.
 The moon disappeared at midnight and the sea was like glass when the desper- ate enterprise was begun When within two miles of the goal the frenzied motions of a searchlight showed that suspicion had been awakened, and suddenly soli- tary gun announced that the Japanese had been discovered. The Russians sprang to the guns of the batteries and in three minutes the Japanese craft were enclosed in a semi-circle of gun flashes. The sea was churned to a turmoil by falling shells but there was no hesitation. The tor ptQO DOdlS OptlGu Oul elid tiC tioASpCh e't with men standing at the life-boat sta- tions, steered directly into the inferno. There was then only a mile to traverse, and the safety fuses were ready.
 Searchlight Beat Upon Her.
 It was just 3:30 when the steamer chiyo, with a searchlight beating upon her, and she A target for a hundred guns, led towards the east side of the entrance. The fuses were set, and the crew pushed off just in time. It was a moment of sus- pense. The charge exploded, sinking her no yards from the east side of the en- t Anee G len IsilI)
 The Fuki next passed on the port side of the Chiyo and dropped anchor. Just as the officers and crew pushed clear there was a dull explosion. She had been struck and sunk in the exact place which the Japanese desired by torpedo from within the harbor.
 So close were the defending destroy CTS that the Yeneiyama was fouled by Russian destroyer, and her crew was scorched by the flames of the discharge from a Russian six-pounder.
 It was a terrible melee but the Japa- nese kept their presence of mind through out and their steadiness was shown by the fact that before she had been fouled by the destroyer, the Yenciyama steered to the starboard of the Chiyo and then be- tween her and the Fukui. and reached the center of the channel where she was hit by torpedo, which sank her on the west of the channel. her bow pointing toward the shore. Not a man of the transports crew was drowned.
 Only Four Transports.
 The enterprise failed to block the channel because there were only four transports. It is probable, however, that the channel has been rendered impract- cable for the large batteshps and it is certain that the Japanese will not rest until the channel has been closed.
 The maneuvor was covered by a tor pedo division which. running in close, endeavored to draw the fire of the land batteries from the main enterprise This division remained in action until all the crews were rescued, and just before day. break, was engaging a Russian destroyer which remained at the entrance line, fir ing torpedoes during the night The scream of escaping steam proclaimed that the Russian boat had been damaged in her vitals.
 At daybreak the fiotilla drew off under cover of the fleet which was waiting ten miles outside.
 In conclusion the correspondent de- scribes the bravery and death of Con- mander Hirose, who had recently been promoted for sinking the Tokiohu fur therest up the entrance to Port Arthur on February 24 and of whom he says the Japanese are justly proud.