The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-19
DESPAIR REICNS.
Russia's Naval Losses Are a
Crushing Blow.
Reports Show Destruction OF
VladiTostok Squadron.
GUNBOAT HITS MINE.
Another WRrship Lost in
Vicinity of Port Arthur.
Japanese Capture a Vessel En-
tering ChefOO HarbOr.
GUNBOAT HITS MINE.

St Petersburg. Aug. 1880 p. M
A feeling almost akin to despair relghs
In the much tried Russian admiralty.
The official report of Vice Admlral
skrvdlof coming on the heels OF the
known losses sustained by the Port
Arthur squadron in it's desperate sor-
tie OF August 10, and the anxiety over
the fate of the warships still unac-
counted for rot only confirming the
sinking of the Rurik and Rossia IN the
fight with Vice Admiral Kamlnura
squadron. were even greater than an
ticipated. completes the crushing ma
ture of the blow to Russia's illustrated
naval forces in the far east. So far as
the immediate future is concerned the
admiralty does not disguise the fact
that the Vladivostok squadron is des-
troyed. The effect upon the public is
also most depressing. the only conso-
lation found is in the words OF praise
bestowed on the officers and men ana
the unequal character of the fght,Rus-
sian naval experts by the system OF
co-efTicients figuring that inferiorlty OF
the Vladivostok squadron in armor ana
guns was 90 TO 200. In some quarters OF
the navy there is also disposition to
censure Rear Admiral Jessen Tor
abandoning the Rurik, even though
standing by her would have meant
that the Gromoboi and ROssia would
have shared her fate. The chief mys-
terry at the admiralty here is why Vice
Admiral Kamimura drew off when Ad-
miral Jessen's ships were at his mercy
The only explanation is that his squad
ron must have suffered such frightful
damage that it could not continue the
battle.
1t is confirmed that the loss of Off
GERS and men on board the Rossia and
Gromoboi were so per cent of the for
mer and 25 per cent Of the latter. show
ing the dreadful havoc caused by the
fire from the japanese ships even at a
range exceeding three miles. Private
reports say the decks of the Rossfa were
veritable shambles-
Detailed reports of the injuries sus-
tanned by the Gromoboi and Rossia
naturally are withheld, but no doubt
exists that they are serious enough to
require going into dry dock. So far as
known there is only one dock at Nlad1-
Vostok and it is now occupied by the
Bogatyr. Consequently this will make
the repair work slow. The hope of ac-
complishing the cherished plan of the
admiralty of uniting the two Russian
far eastern squadrons to await the
coming of the Baltic fleet seems now
almost hopeless as the fighting strength
of the Port Arthur squadron has been
greatly reduced and there is no longer
vostok squadron Nevertheless the ad-
miralty expects that the battleShips,
if they returned to Port Arthur, will
sally forth again, even to certain de-
struction. But the whereabouts of the
battleship division and OF the protect
ed cruisers Diana and Pallada are con-
sidered here to be absolutely establish
ed. The weight of opinion continues to
correspond with the foreign reports
that the battleships are back at Port
Arthur. but some of the officials at the
admiralty cling to the hope that they
escaped. Chefoo reports received here
today evidently leave no doubts on this
point and Emperor Williams request
that the German naval attaches at Port
Arthur. Captain Hoffman and Lieut..
Won Gillgenheim be instructed to leave
the fortress is generally regarded as
conclusive. The authorities here are
without information in regard to the
reported torpedoing of a Russian cruiser
of a Pallada type which they say must
mean the Diana The reports of both
Captain Matouzevitch and Captain
Reitzenstein indicated that these
cruisers were with the Novik through
out but nothing has been heard OF eth
er since the naval battle of August 10.
Both the official Russian reports
agree as to the main details of the en-
gagement and the manner in which the
big ironclads lin the form of a grid
iron tackled and counter-tacked" as
they delivered their brOadsides. But
veil is drawn when the cruiser division
escaped and the Czarevitch was dis
abled.
The newspapers here received the Off
cial advices this morning too late for
comment The spirits of the people
may be judged from the fact that al
though this is a holiday there are no
no crowds in the streets, but the
churches We're thronged, whole families
mourning the loss of loved ones with
the fleets.
Russia Loses Another Gunboat.
Toxic. Aug. ia Russian gum
boat of the Otvajini type struck a
mine and sank off Laoti promontory,
the extreme southern point of the
Kwangtung peninsula on which Port
Arthur is situated, at o'clock on
Thursday night
The Otvajni is an armored gunboat
of 1900 tons displacement, launched
in 1894 and carries one 9-inch gun,
one 8 inch gun and 10 quick firing
guns. She has two torpedo tubes. has
a speed of Is knots and carries a
crew of 142 men.
Unknown Steamer Captured.
Washington, Aug. 19.-The state de-
partment has received a cablegram
from Chefoo dated today, the sub
stance of which is as follows:
This morning seven Japanese de-
stroyers entered the harbor and met
an unknown steamer entering, which
they captured. Two Japanese cruisers
are outside the harbor-"
Rains Prevent Fighting.
Lao Yang, Aug. 19.-The rains have
now continued increasingly for a week
and the roads in many cases have been
completely washed away. The Jap
anese are not making moves so far as
known here.
Takes a Serious View.
New York. Aug. 19.-In an inter-
view with a Herald correspondent tel
n. r.