The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-12
THE FIGHT or EEBRUARx ..
Graphic Description is Given by
 Japaneaa Officer

Japanese ofzicer
 Chicago, March 11.--Captain Matsumura. who acted as signal ol7acer on the Mfkasa, Admiral Togo's flagship. during the first attack on Port Arthur on February 9, gives q graphic story of the fight in the Jijl Ehimpo, Japan's most widely circu- lated newspaper. of the date of February 15- Copies of the paper have just been re- ceived by Shesaburo Shimixu, Japanese Consul for Chicago. The account by Count Matsumura is the first by Japan ese eye witness. The captain was wonnd- ed in the foot as he stood on the bridge of the F'uti by shell from one of tho Port Arthur fort guns. His account re- veais the fact that the Japanese ship Fu5i was badly damaged. brt not dis- abled by Russian shells, while two of it's officers Commander Nakayama and Lieu tenant Miura were killed by single shell while standing on the bride. cap- tain Matsumura,s description of the naval battle and the events leading up to 1t is as follows:
 Admiral Togo called the captains of the allied fleet to his flagship in Sasebo harbor. February 6. Plans were discuBe- ed. but of course wera zaot revealed. At 2 o'clock that afterncoh the neet left the harbor.
 At s a. m. on February '. smoke was noticed on the horizon. The Tsukuba was despatched to investigate and discovered the Russian steamer Rossia which was captured. Shortly after this prize was taken Rear Admiral Uria and one of the divisions of the fleet started for Chemus- DO. Admiral Togo directed the hoistinG Of signal hass that read:
 [" Attack the enemy's boats as soon as they are seem Late that day Russian torpedo boat was aaen and ahots were ex- changed at a distance of about s,e00 nae- ters The second-class cruiser Chitoz and two other smaller vessels were despatched at a. m on February toward Port Ar thur to reconnoiter. They reported signt- ing i've of the enemy's boats and fired on them. The fortress did not fire so Admi- raj Togo signalled:
 "'Attack the main fleet at once
 "As the Japanese fleet proceeded to- ward Port Arthur 1t met coming out Of the harbor a Japanese and Russian merchantman, the Mercuria. The Rus sian vessel was captured without firing q shot.
 "At ii a. m., at distance of ten knots from Port Arthur, the enemy's scout boat was sighted and two shots sent after 1t. It returned to the harbor. The fleet formed in lighting line and approached the harbca. We saw the Russian men of war trying to get back under shelter of the fort guns. The Mllkasa fired first and then raised the attacking lag. tho enemy answered and the engagement be- came general The Russian shells q T short but the fire from the fortress dam aged the fleet slightly.
 Our men behaved splendidiy. They !. showed no excitement but great enthusi- asm in their work at the guns. We wish ed to continue the fire but the shells of the shore batteries were becoming alarm ingly close and We feared the torpedo boats, so the signal was given to retire.
 "Our casualties in the first attack on Port Arthur, were:
 Killed, two officers three non-commis- sIoner officers, one man.
 Seriously wounded: Two ofiicers. one on-commissioned officer. four midship- men and IS men; slightly wounded, four officers, five non-commlssioned officers and s men,,
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