The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-11
DRIVEN TO SEA.
Hot Fire From Japanese Batter
les on VOLTS Hills
Forces the Russian Fleet to
Leave the Harbor.
ATTACKED By TOGO.
A Naval Battle Lasting All Day
Is Reported.
Conflicting Reports Regarding
Results of the Action.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Toxic Says Russians Returned
to Their Anchorage.
CheefoO Says 16 Vessels We're
Sighted Near There.

Toxic, Aug 11.-Evidently driver
to sea by the fire of the Japanese land
batteries, the Russian fleet emerged
from Port Arthur yesterday morning
Admiral Togo Immediately closed in
and started a severe engagement
which lasted until nightfall. After
wards the japanese destroyers and
torpedo fiotillas delivered a series OF
attacks. The Japanese fleet with
drew during the night. A guard ship
stationed off the harbor reported that
she saw at dawn today the battleship
Retzivan and the Poebdia steaming
toward the harbor of Port Arthur.
Admiral Togo has not yet reported the
results of yesterdays engagement. 1t
is thought here that the Russians at
tempted to escape seaward from a
base which is no longer tenable. but
that they again refused to attempt TO
force Admiral Togo's line.
Checked by Togo.
London, Aug. ia dispatch to a
news agency from Toxic announces
definitely that Admiral Togo has frus-
trated the attempt of the Port Arthur
squadron to escape and adds that the
Port Arthur forts participated with
l.
eating. if true, that the fighting oc-
CURED close to the port
sighted Near Chefoo.
Chefoo, Aug. 11.-An official source
here reports the sighting of sixteen
Russian warships last night in the
1t is alleged that the Russian hos
pital ship Mongolia. carrying women
and children. which left Port Arthur
with the squadron. will go to
Shanghai.
The Russian battIeship Retvizan
was hit II times during the recent
bombardment of Port Arthur but was
only slightly damaged
The Japanese fleet has been direct
ing its fire against the dock yards at
Port Arthur One hundred shells
dropped on a spot from which a pow
der magazine had recently been re-
moved.
Russians Still Guessing.
Mukden, Aug. 11.-There is much
speculation as to whether the Japa-
nese intend to attempt to turn Cen
eral Kuropatkin's flank between here
and Lao Yang or north of Mukden.
with the situation. Officers and men
anticipate a big battle around Lao
Yang, but the fear is expressed that
the Japanese instead of joining issue
sition above Mukden and cut the rail-
road.
Severe Naval Engagement.
London, Aug. IA dispatch to the
japanese legation from Toxic con-
firms the reports of a severe naval
Arthur and of a subsequent attack on
the Russian squadron by the Japanese
torpedo destroyers. The dispatch con-
cludes by saying that at dawn today
the Retzivan and another battleship
of the Poebdia type appeared taking
flight towards Port Arthur
Threaten Russian Flank.
Lao Yang, Aug 1.-THE japanese
were active yesterday on the eastern
flank of the Russian army. They re-
tired slightly toward the south, and
the Russians occupied their positions.
1t is evident that the Japanese do not
intend attempting to carry Lao Yang
by frontal attack, but hope for sue
cess by hanking. as at Ia Tche Kiao
force is reported to be moving along
the coast above Yin Kow.
Six Warships Sighted.
Chefoo. Aug. 1.-THE steamer Tung
CHOW reports that she sighted six war
ships which she believed to be Rus
sian. in the vicinity of Chefoo. An
uneonfrmed report has been received
OF a naval battle near Round island.
st. Petersburg Delighted.
-. Petersburg. Aug. 11.-1:35 D. m.
-Ihe apparent escape of the Port
arthur squadron is arousing the most
intense interest here. No official news
on the subject had reached the ad-
miralty when a correspondent showed
the Associated Press dispatch from
Chefoo to Admiral Avellann, chief of
the admiralty, but he expressed no
surprise, and on the contrary did not
conceal his satisfaction. He explain
ed that Captain Sostchakovsky prob
ably had reported direct to Vice Ad-
miral Skyrdlof and Viceroy Alexieff.
While the destination of the squadron
Is not admitted there is no doubt that
II IL succeeds in shaking off Admiral
Togo its purpose is to effect a juno
ton with the Vladivostok squadron.
Think Fleet Has ESCAPED.
Nladivostok Aug. 11-Preparati tio7s
are being completed here for the receD-
tion and protection of the Port Arthur
squadron. The departure of the SQUAD
ron from Port Arthur is generally in
terpreted to indicate that the siege of
the fortress is entering on its final
stage, as the programme has repeated
ly been announced by the Associated
Press for the squadron to leave as soon
as the situation at Port Arthur became
desperate The preservation of the
squadron is considered to be vital 20
RuSSia'S future plans and while it is
Acknowledged that its departure will
greatly weaken the defensive power of
the garrison without the capture of the
squadron the fall of the fortress would