The San Francisco call., 1904-08-22

TOXIC. Aug. 21.-After a severe en-
gagement with the protected cruisers
ChitOse and Tsushima. the greyhounds
OF the japanese navy. the fleet Rus
sian: cruiser Novik has been van
. oUished. The fight occurred to-day.
After il the Novik. in a sinking condi-
: tion. was run ashore in Korsakovsk
harbOr. on the island Of Saghalien.
The full details Of this sea fight are
not known here, but it is evident that
the Chitose and Tsushima caught up
with the Novik yesterday and that a
running fight enSUeds The contest was
resumed and terminated early this
morning. Captain SukeichirO Taxa
hashl. who Is in command of the
ChitOse. reports the engagement in a
brief telegram which reached the Navy
Department here this afternoon. He
SAYS he first attacked the Russian
cruiser on Saturday afternoon and that
on Sunday morning he inflicted heavy
damage upon her. The NOvik nearly
sank but she was beached at Kor-
. sakOvsk. A shell from the Novik
struck Tsushima in a bunker. Tenn
porary repairs. however, rendered the
japanese cruiser seaWOrthy and she
continued 10 fight. The japanese suf-
Tered no casualties.
The imperial Prince Yorihito of the
House of Higashi-Fushimi is second in
command on board the Chitose. Cap
tain SentO commander the Tsushima.
The fate Of the crew of the NoVik is
not known, but il is believed they
abandoned their vessel and landed at
N0rsakOvsk.
Ii is generally thought here that the
Chitose and Tsushima steamed in close
10 the NOvik early this morning and
completed the destruction commenced
tailed report Of the occurrence from
the commander of the Chitose will be
received tomorrow. This report is
anXiOusly awaited.
The news Of the destruction of the
NOVik has been received in a curious
manner by the japanese public. From
a practical standpoint it is highly
satisfactory. for the Novik could have
been most dangerous as a commerce
destroyer. but. considering the matter
from a sentimental standpoint, much
regret Is expressed at her loss. The
NoVlk has been splendidly handled and
braVely fought throughout the war
and japanese naval officers and the
public generally have frequently ex-
dressed admiration for the cruiser. her
commander and her crew.
The NOvik was one Of the Russian
feet that steamed out from Port Ar
thur on the morning of August 10 to
force its way through the japanese
lines. She entered Tsingchou on the
night Of August Il, but got away from
there on the night of August u. hav-
ing remained less than twenty-four
hours. She was then enormously re-
ported TO have been sunk forty miles
from Tsingchou.
The NOVik was next reported head
ing for Van Dieman Strait at the
southern end of Japan. evidently in an
effort to reach Vladivostok. via the
eastern coast Of the japanese islands.
Yesterday il was reported from St.
Petersburg that the NOyik had reached
korsakOVsk. From the fact that the
japanese cruisers met the Novik off
the southern end Of Saghalien il would
appear that the Russian cruiser had
passed through the Kurile Islands and
vas endeavOring to reach Vladivostok
bT way Of La Perouse Strait avoiding
The passage Of the Tsugaru Strait
which was used by the Russian Vladi-
VOstOk squadron when il raided the
eastern coast Of Japan.