The San Francisco call., 1904-04-29

ST PETERSBURG, April 29.-Ac-
oQrding 10 the official report Of -Ad-
lssTaI 1es1esI, Tvifc comn1anded the
Nladivostok warships which sank the
japanese transport Kinshiu Maru, only
200 men went down with the vessel.
Other reports give much larger figures,
one asserting that $500 japanese per-
ished The Kinshiu Maru was q large
vessel. and as she was en- route TO ko-
rea with troops il seems improbable
that only 200 men remained on board
after the few that surrendered were
taken on.
The Russian Admiralty is disposed to
minimize the japanese loss because of
adverse comment, both at home and
abroad, upon the action Of Admiral
Yeszen. II is admitted, however, by
members Of the diplomatic corps that
no other course was open to Yeszen
when the foolhardy japanese persisted
IN offering armed resistance to the
Russian WarshiuS after having been
given every opportunity to surrender.
Yesterdays bOmbardment Of Port Ar
thur was Insignificant and probably
was intended simply TO let the COM
mander Of the Russian feet know that
II would be dangerous for him to at
tempt 10 leave the harbor TO interfere
YESZEN'S OFFICIAL REPORT.
The official report Of Rear Admiral
Yeszen to the Emperor is in part as
follows:
During the night Of April 26 two
Russian torpedo-boats met at sea the
japanese military transport Kinshiu
MarU, Of 1000 tons, laden with rice and
other military stores and about 1900
tons Of coal The transport was armed
with four Hotchlkiss guns. The Rus
slams captured on board seventeen Of
fcers, twenty soldiers. eighty-five mil
3tary carriers or coolies and siXty-five
Of the crew, who surrendered The re-
rnainder Of the men, who were TO form
a landing party and who were left
without officers, obstinately refused to
surrender or go on board a Russian
cruiser. Furthermore they offered
armed resistance to the Russians. In
the end they were sent to the bottom
with the transport"
Admiral Yeszen also reports that,
besides the sinking Of the japanese
steamer Goyo Maru at Gensan on
April 25, the Russians sank the same
evening the steamship Nakamura
Maru OF go tons, whose crew was
saved.
REVIVE RUSSIAN SPIRITS.
The operations Of the Vladivostok
squadron have revived the spirits Of
the people Of st. Petersburg. who
have been downcast since the de-
struction Of the Petropavlovsk and the
consequent confinement Of the rem
nant Of the Port Arthur feet to the
harb0r.
The fact that the navy is doing some
thing Of an offensive character appeals
TO the popular mind, which has been
una bic TO appreciate the reason for the
Inactivity Of the fine ships Of the Vlad-
ivostok squadron.
II is generally recognized that Rear
Admiral Yeszen cannot do more than
frighten the japanese and compel
them to exercise greater caution in
their military movements. as the sink
ing of 3 few transports or even cruis-
crs can have no permanent effect on
the result OF the war. Moreover, he
is bound by his instructions not TO
risk his ships unduly. the intention be-
ing 10 keep them safe for an attack
with the Baltic feet when il arrives
in the Pacific
The possibility Of q japanese attempt
to mine the entrances to Nladivostok
rs was done at Port Arthur. is con-
sidered. but the conditions are differ
ent. and besides Rear Admiral Yeszen.
with the lesson Of the Petropavlovsk
disaster fresh in his mind, will OBJ
serve the utmost caution.
EMPEROR is INDIGNANT.
II is said that the Emperor is highly
indignant over the Kinshiu Maru af-
fair. and that he viii relieve Yeszen
and order him 70 be court -msrtisled.
Continued on Page ?, Column 1.