Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-02-13

sian httt, Wnlle tnc ATE OF FORT Arthur
i practically sealed.
DOUGLAS STORY. A."
The damage done to the Russians
yesterday in Port Arthur by the Jap.
anese fleet under Vice Admiral Togo
is far more extensive than at first re-
ported. Seven warshps belonging to
the Russians were put ont of action
The Pallada was not sunk. but lies at
her beam ends on the beach, so badly
damaged by we'll directed blows of a
torpedo that it is doubtful if il will be
possible TO make her seawothy for many
months to come, if, indeed, she is not
in the meantime captured by the Jap
anese. The battleships Retzivan and
the Czarevitch were damaged below the
water line. If the action had taken
place in deep sea the Russian vessels
would have gone to the bottom. The
close proximity of the shore enabled
them to escape this fate.
In the second fight yesterday morn
ing the battleship Poltava and the
cruisers Novik, Askold and Diana
were seriously damaged. After the tor
pedo boats attacked the Japanese fleet,
In three divisions, not two, as reported
yesterdy, sailed toward Dalny.
Presently they returned and found the
Russian fleet waiting for them.
The japanese opened a deadly fire
upon the Notifications, neglecting for
a moment the threatening attitude of
warships. Suddenly dash was made
by the Russian torpedo boats upon the
coming japanese. A terrible brust of
firing greeted them and they were
force to seek shelter behind their bat
tleships and cruisres. A general en-.
gagement then ensued, at three mile
range, in which the forts and batteries
on shore took part, firing fast and fur
ious for short time. My correspon-
dent in Port Arthur gives it as half an
hour, while other reports state it lasted
only 90 minutes. :
The Poltava was stru;k below the
water line by 10 inch shell and went
o 1T of action almost INN ediately.
Trhee Of her men who were sent over
h side to ascertain the damage We're
drowned. The Diana was struck al
most Immediately afterward in the
steering gear by shot from one of the
Russian shore batteries, though this
fact is strenuously denied in kofficial
circles. My informatio / on this point,
however, is absolutely correct.
The Novik and Askold ventured out
too far and were severely punished by
the japanese. The Asahi, Hatsuz and
Mikasa gave them each a couple of
broadsides from their great guns, and
they were forced to turn tail. Both
were seriously damaged. / understand
the Novok and Poltava joined their
comrades upon the beach.
AT noon the japanese fleet withdrew.
They have not since been heard from.
The excitement in. Port Arthur and
Dalney is indescribable. A panic has
seized the inhabitants, and the author1-
ties are in despair over the attitude of
the soldiers who are getting out of con-
troll. There are no more japanese at
Port Arthur and few foreigner.
Russian officers who have reached
here from Port Arthur strongly condem
Admiral Alexieff's lack of prudence
and foresight. They pronounced him
drawing room commander, and clam
or for his recall. They say the only
man who can save Port Arthur is Gen
eral Kouropatkin, the veteran hero of
Plevna. The officers conceded that
the disasters already inflictded upon
the Russian feet are misfortune.
DOUGLAS STORY.