The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-09-30
Vessel Held for rs Days and Con-
siderable Portion Of Her
Cargo Confiscated.
JAps ARE DEADLY MARKsMEN
Cruisers Rossla and Gr0Moboi
Show Effects OF Terrible Fire
to which They Were Sub.
jecte,l at Sea.

ahe oriental liner Arabia arrived In
port yesterday from the far east. She
sailed from Astoria early In July. and
during her absence went through a
series of exciting experiences, which
eliminated In her capture by the Rus
Sian Viadivostok squadron. the raid OF
which along the Japanese coast was
one OF the most remarkable naval ex-
plolta In the history OF warfare. Cap.
tain Bahle Ia quite III with rheuma-
i,sm but the members OF the crew Of
the steamship are well.
The Arabia sailed from Astoria with
full cargo OF freight for Japanese
and Chinese ports. The Russians con-
fiscated most of her -four and 30 Hat
cars which they found aboard. Then
they released her and she loaded an
inward cargo at Japanese ports and
Hongkong. She arrived 72 hours late,
az the result OF thick weather, and her
passage across the Pacific on the re-
turn trip was without noteworthy In
cident.
CAPTURED by Three Cruisers.
Captain Bahle yesterday related his
eA, ting experiences. He said of the
Incidents which trnnsplred on the out
ward trip:
I'VE were captured by the Russian
Viadlvostok squadron July %. while
short distance north of Yokohama. The
squadron was made up of three cruis-
ers--the Rurik. which was afterwards
sunk In the battle with Admiral Rami-
muras fleet. the Rossia and toe Grom-
oboI The last manned vessel really
brought us to stop, although the
RossIa and Rurik were with her. Three
officers and az men constituted the
boarding party. After examining our
ship, the cruisers started with us for
viadlvostok. and we remained Mt that
port rs days.
Flour and Cars confiseated.
ut was decided by the Russian au-
thorltles that $4,000 sacks of our ioul
cargo were contraband, and. they con-
aseated that much of the flour. leaving
about $4,000 sacks. which were con-
signed to Hongkong firms We hat
N aboard 30 fiat cars. These cars were
Y plainly contraband and the Russians
started to take them from the ship
The work progressed very slowly ant
I complained OF the method used to tak'
off the cars. Finally | ordered three
or four OF the cars thrown overheard
and when the Russians found that th'
ears noated they dumped the Others
into the sea. When the Arabia lef
vladivostok the cars were rotting OF
the beach.
Japs Deadly Marksmen.
"Whlle we were at Viadivostok tn
three cruisers of the fleet went on an
other raid and fell In with Rear-Ad
miral Kamlmura's squadron. In thi
battle which occurred off the Tsu Isl
ands the Rurik was so badly damaged
that she sank. The Rossia and Grom
obol were also badly used up. ana ooti
returned to vladlvostok before we wer'
permitted to go. The Russians hav
since claimed that the two cruisers ha'
been repaired and that they were agaii
ready for service, but do not belieV
this can be true. The Rossia AM
Gromoboi were literally shot full
holes. The Rossia was particulars
damaged. When the Japs crippled tn
ill-fated Rurik by shooting away he
stearing gear and one of her propelleri
the Rossia went to her assistance, plac
ing herself between the damaged yes
sci and the Japanese fleet. She re
ceiyed the terrible broadsldes of IN
lap vessels, and l counted 20 grea
holes In her side, All Of the holes wer