Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1904-03-31
JAPANESE ARE
AGAIN bAFFLED.
Make Another Attempt to
Seal Port Arthur
Harbor.
SEND STONE LADEN VESSELS
Ships Sunk BY Fierce Fire From
Russian Batteries-Fate of Volun-
teer Japanese Crews Which Left
Vessels in Boats, Is Not Known.

teeT Japanese STeWS winch Lett
Vessels in Boats, Is Not Known.
st. Petersburg, March 28.-Under
cover Of darkness yesterday morning,
Vice Admiral Togo made another des-
perate attempt to bottle up the Rus
sian fleet in Port Arthur, but he failed
again, and when after daylight Vice
Admiral Makaroff steamed out to give
battle, the Japanese commander re-
fused the challenge and sailed away.
The Japanese practically repeated
the tactics of February "a by sending
in four fire ships, preceded by tor
pedo boat fotilla, with the exception
that the fire ships this time were arm
ed with Hotchkiss guns for the pur-
pose of keeping off the Russian tor
pedo boat destroyers.
The enemy's attempt was discover
ed by means of the shore searchlights
and heavy fire was opened from the
batteries and from two gunboats
which were guarding the entrance to
the harbor. The Russian torpedo boat
destroyer SLIM was outside on scout
ing duty and to the dash and nerve of
her commander, Lieutenant Krinizki,
Is chiefly due the complete defeat OF
the plans of the Japanese. He at once
made for the oncoming ships under a
hail of fire from the Hotchkiss guns,
and torpedoed the leading ship, which
Sheared off, followed by the others,
three of them being piled up on the
shore under Golden hill and one under
he lighthouse. The SLIM then en-
gagged the entire six torpedo boats OF
the enemy, coming from a terrific
fight with seven killed and her COM
mander and twelve of her compile
nent wounded, but on the Japanese
side only one boats crew was saved.
n addition, according to unofficial re-
ports, it is believed that the Japanese
lost two torpedo boats.
The Japanese cruisers which sup
ported the attack exchanged shots
with the batteries, and then drew off,
after which Vice Admiral Markaroff
took a steam launch and examined
the fire ships. An hour later the Jap
anese torpedo flotilla, followed by Vice
Admiral Togo's fleet, came up from a
southerly direction. Just at day break
Vice Admiral Makaroff with his fleet
sailed out to engage the enemy, but
after the ships and batteries had fired
a few long distance shots, Vice Admir-
al Togo decided to decline the issue
and disappeared to the southwark.
The news of the repulse Of ice Ad-
m'rnl Togo's second attempt to block
Port Arthur created much rejoicing IN
the Russian capital and among all
classes the gallantry Of the SLIM and
her commander is the subject of high
praise; but above all the moral effect
of ice Admiral Makaroff's willingness
to engage the enemy, showing that he
considered himself strong enough to
fight, produced splendid impression.
Vladivostok, March 24-Wnlle ,ue
situation at Vladivostok remains quiet,
it Is not expected that Vladivostok
will continue to be much longer free
from the vigorous operations of the
Japanese. In anticipation of the ap-
pearance Of the enemy and of pos
sible siege, a woman's circle has been
formed. 1t sits six hours daily at the
ministry of marine, preparing band
ages of linen for wounded soldiers and
sailors. Most of the women in Vladi
vostok belong to this circle. In Mix
DISK, forty miles north of Vladivostok
on the railroad. a committee has been
formed under the auspices of the vice
governor to collect donations towards
the increase Of the fleet.
London, March PA series Of mes
sages dated between March 10 and
March II, sent by correspondent Of
the Mail at Chinampno, kurea, de-
scribes the perfect organization and
arrangements of the Japanese in Ko-
cea. Elaborate preparations have been
made for landing troops and advanc.
ing them through the country. Pontoon
bridges and stables are built wher-
ever they are found to be necessary.
The greatest difficulty facing the JAP
anese is the commissariat, as owing
to the poor food supplies of Korea,
1t is possible at present to maintain
only 10000 men.
The Japanese hold two enormously
strong positions at Ping Yang and
near Pongsan, Hwany Ju and Seoul.
The latter the correspondent says, is
practically impregnable and secures
Seoul from land attacks from the
northwest.
In the event Of defeat, 1t Is intend
protecting the Ping Yang valley. The
Japanese troops are suffering from
1ysentery and pneumonia and many
Of the cavalry horses, which the cor
respondent says are poor, have died,
but the army Is full of spirit.
There are probably 10000 Japanese
at Ping Yang which the correspond
ent points out, might easily have been
taken when the Russian scouts first
arrived, there being then only $50
Japanese soldiers at Ping Yang.
The Russians intended to make An
ju their base. but. owing to delay in
the arrival of reinforcements, they
were afraid they would be cut off and
so retired. Meanwhile the Japanese
advanced to Ping Yang by forced
marches, the troops being almost
without equipment.
According to this correspondent the
Russians are preparing to prevent the
japanese from landing west of Anju,
and he saws the Japanese sailors adj
NIT that Port Arthur is so protected
by mines and torpedoes that it would
mean death to approach it.
HEADQUARTERS IN IsTHMUs.
Washington, March 24.-Two i'm
portant points have been deVeIupeu IN
connection with the work of the 18TH
mian canal commission. One is that
the headquarters of the commission
probably will be on the isthmus OF
Panama, instead of at Washington, al
tboupb an office prObablV will he MAIN