Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-03-31
RUSS TOO QUICK
FOR THE JAPS
ANOTHER DESPERATE ATTEMPT
TO BoTTELE UP PORT
ARTHUR FAILS.
FIVE FIRE SHIPS ARE SEM IN
RUSSIAN WARsHiP ToRPEDoEs
LEADING SHIP AND EN-
CAGES ENEMY.
RUSSIAN ADMIRAL OFFERS BATTLE
BUT JAPANESE COMMANDER
REFUSES CHALLENGE AND
SAILS AWAY.
RUSSIAN ADMIRAL OfffRS BATTLE

49, - vi ~ oiio1t
cover of darkness yesterday morning
Vice Admiral Togo made another
desperate attempt to bottle up the
Russian feet in Port Arthur, but he
failed again, and when, after daylight.
Vice Admiral Makaroff steamed out
to give battle the Japanese command
err refused the challenge and sailed
away.
The Japanese practically repeated
the tactics of Feb. "a, by sending in
five fire ships. accompanied by a tor
pedo boat fotilla, with the exception
that the fire boats this time were
armed with Hotchkiss guns for the
purpose of keeping off the Russian
torpedo boat d~estroyers.
Spotted by s~earchlishts.
The enemy's Intention was discov-
cred by means of shore searchlights,
and a heavy fire was maintained by
the batteries and the two gunboats
which guard the entrance of the har-
Dor. The Russian torpedo boat de-
stroyer Silna was outside on scouting
duty, and to the dash and nerve of
her commander. Lieut.. KriniZki, is
chiefly due the complete defeat of the
plans of the Japanese. He at once
made straight for the oncoming ships
under a hail OF fire from the Hotch-
kiss guns and torpedoed the leading
ship, which sheered of, followed by
the others, three of them being
Piled Up on the Shore
under Golden Hill and one under the
lighthouse. The Silna then engaged
the entire six torpedo boats of the
enemy, coming out from a terrific
fight with seven killed and her com
mander and twelve of her compile
ment wounded. but on the Japanese
side only one boats crew was saved.
In addition. according to unofficial!
reports. II is believed the Japanese
lost two torpedo boats. The Japanese
cruisers which supported the attack.
exchanged shots with the battery and
then drew of, after which Admiral
Makaroff took a steam launch n
examined the fire ships.
MakaroU OHeFS bdttics
An hour later the Japanese torpedo
fiotilla, followed by Admiral Togo's
feet came up from a southerly direc-
ton. Just at daybreak Admiral Max
aroff, with his feet, sailed out to en-
gage the enemy, but after the ships
and batteries had fired a few long dis
lance shots Vice Admiral Togo de-
cided to decline the issue and disap-
peared to the southwark.
The news OF the repulse of Vice
Admiral Togo's second attempt to
block Port Arthur created much re-
joicing in the Russian capital, and
among all classes the ~gallantry OF the
Silna and her commander is the sub
ject of high praise, but above all
The Moral Effect
of Vice Admiral Makaroff's willing
ness to engage the enemy showing
that he considers himself strong
enough to fight, produced a splendid
impression.
In high official circles this new eff
fort TO bottle up the Russian feet is
looked upon as meaning only one
thing, namely, that the Japanese are
preparing for a heavy landing OF
troops in the Gulf OF Lao Tung. eth
or at N~euchwang or on the west soast
Of the Manchuria neutral zone. to eff
feet which in safety the immobility of
Pice Admiral Makaroff's feet is
Absolutely Essential
while the transports are being con-
voyed around the southern end of the
peninsula. II the attempt had sue
ceeded II would have required several
days at least to blow up the steam
err and clear away the wreckage,
during which time the Japanese
would be assured Of non-interference
In carrying out their purposes.
The failure Of the Japanese yester'
day morning may seriously hamper
their plans az the ice In the Lilac
river is going out, and when the river
Is free its mouth can be easily
mined.
The conviction continues to groy
here that the Japanese have conclud
ed that It would be inadvisable Il