The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-09

July 26. for the purpose of bon1ba riding
the enemy's positions. They were attack
mored cruiser Cheyeda, the protected
Itsukushima. and Matsushima. two sec
ond-class cruisers, and thirty torpedo
boats.
Fled to Open Sea.
IAN eigat-inch shell from the Bayan
burst in the stern OF the Itsukushima,
placing her out Of action. Thereupon all
the japanese steered for the open sea.
At the same time the Cheyeda was dam
aged by a Russian mine. AS she was
sinking by the head she was steered
toward Talienwan Bay. A shot from
Battery p also damaged a japanese
gunboat-
ION July q. in view Of the Japanese
having taken the general offensive
against our land positions. the Bayan,
Retyizan, Pallada, Askold, and Novik,
the coast defense ships Gremia stchy and
OtvaJug, the gunbOat GilJak, and twelve
gunboats were ordered to support our
right nank. Our ships, preceded by nine
dredgers, steamed toward Lungantan,
whence they bombarded the Japanese
positions until p. N.
ON their return. which was effected
with the same precautions "a mine ex-
plOded underneath one Of the dredgers.
Admiral Withoeft estimated the enemy
naval forces of Port Arthur on July 30
at Ave battleships. four aTmored cruis-
crs. ten other cruisers. and forty light
torpedo craft"
Twenty Vessels.
CHEFOO. Aug. 1.-TWO French corre-
spondents, who attempted to reach Port
Arthur in a junk, were observed by the
japanese On Saturday last. They were
twice arrested and turned back. They
heard nothing Of the alleged loss Of
japanese cruiser. They counted twenty
four vessels % the japanese feet, which
were ranged in a double row Of semi
circular formation around the harbor.
The japanese are busy endeavoring to
work their trenches closer to the fort
ress The Russian resistance Is confined
10 artillery fire, with which they cease
lessly harass the diggers- The japanese
are said TO have sixty guns in position
on VOLTS Hill and In that neiRhborhood.
A refugee. who witnessed the battle
Of VOLTS HILL says that 1000 Russians
defended the position. All the ap-
proaches had been terraced at angles
OF IS degrees. The Russians in many
instances dropped their rifles and hurl-
ed stones upon the Japanese, the effect
OF which was more fatal than bullets.
Mines Concealed.
The Russian mines were cleverly con-
ceaIed IN an open field. The first layer
consisted Of pyroxoline and the second
Of rocks over these was sod. The ex-
plosion threw rocks 20 a distance Of one
or two versts. It IS alleged that two
squadrons Of cavalry. with the excep-
ton of four men, who were captured.
were wiped out by a mine.
Witnesses confirm the reports that the
japanese losses were severe They OBJ
tanned possession OF Wolf Hill over
ground tn. ky strewn with dead. The
Russian vehicles used for carrying the
wounded included bicycles in pairs. with
htters slung between. six cabs employ
ed in bringing in the wounded on July
&c found the next day. when attempting
20 return by the same road, that It was
occupied by japanese, who captured
them.
Lost Every Officer.
On July p two detachments Of ma
rines and sailors, numbering 260, lost
every commissioned officer at the first
volley from the japanese.
General Stoessel commander Of the
Port Arthur garrison. has issued proc
lamation thanking the soldiers, and de-
Claring that their work showed that the
fortress would never be taken. The proc
lamatiOn was read to the troops, who
greeted II with loud cheers. At this
time parts OF the Japanese lines were
so close 10 the Russians that they couTd
hear the Russians talk