Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-05-20
Success in Sinking japanese Bat
tleshipS ElateS Them Be.
yOnd Measure
NOW SEE VICTORY AHEAD.
The Russ Says it Was Hardly Worth
While TO Bring the Kasuga from
Genoa to Sink the YOshino

ST Petersburg May 20 CESS p. m.).-
With greater calm than has been felt
since the beginning Of the war Russia
today faces the situation In the far east
The disasters sustained by the Jana
nese fleet have strengthened the nation
al spirit and the officials carefully point
out that they restore in measure the
prestige lost by the past untarnlshed
successes OF the enemy. should the per-
sistent reports Of the japanese army
having been driven back to Feng Wang
Cheng prove true then the authorities
and people will feel that Russian prog
ress has been indicated and that the
two belligerents can recommence the
war upon a more equal footing. The
effect OF the Russian successes will, II
Is believed, be apparent In the behavior
of the Chinese whose attitude has been
decidedly hostile TO the Russians and
to bring this change about IL is expect.
ed that the Russian agents in China
Will follow the japanese plan OF fully
informing the celestials Of the losses in
flcted on the enemy. Although in st.
Petersburg there is individual enthusi-
assn over the Japanese disasters near
Port Arthur, there will be no collective
demonstration. The wholesale rejoice
ing will come with the announcement Of
an achievement of more thrilling
character which will appeal to the
volatile side Of the Russian people.
Everywhere here today one hears
praise Of the Russian torpedo boats in
stealing out in the darkness, perhaps
through a line OF small boats Of the en-
envy, TO plant mines where the heavier
Of the enemy's ships had crulsed a few
hours before. But, after ALL II Is point
ed out, there remained a big element Of
chance as TO whether the enemy would
return. The authorities had almost
come TO the conclusion that the catas-
trophe which they prepared would not
come about because of the cleverness Of
Vice Admiral Togo I'm keeping away
from the dangerous waters, as II aware
OF the Russian operations The tone
Of the comments Of the newspapers to-
day Is sober, while at the same time
recognizing the Importance OF the Rus
slen success, and Is well expressed by
the Russ, which says
"Japan's losses jeopardize her mas
terry OF the sea. IL Is n streak OF bad
luck, like ours. The forces arc now
about equal. without the Baltic squad
ron. II is not for as to rejoice, but II
was not worth while 10 bring the Kasu-
so from Genoa to sink the Yoshino,"
The Bourse Gazette remarks;
a ~. IA
cheer Russia and make some amends
for the tTeacherous Japanese attack at
the outbreak OF the war, II Is now the
enemy's misfortune to experience the
deadly effect of submarine mines, which
have done us so much damage. Great
is Russia's God The war has entered
a new phase, Fastening the Russian
victory"
The Listok observes:
There Ia no intention 10 celebrate
4he Japanese losses by a torchllght pro.
cession II is not our custom 10 make
q national rejoicing over an enemys
misfortune None the less, II Is impos-
slble TO conceal the fact that the nation
Is greatly impressed by the catastrophe
10 the Japanese fleet which goes 10 show
once more how accidents may upset the
best laid plans"
The Gazetta makes the most caustlc
comment OF any OF the Russian papers,
II says:
1T Is just retrlbutlon for the treach-
erous attack on Port Arthur without
declaring war. and the dastardly on
slaught on the Yariag and Koret2, The
mines laid by our brave sailors have
done their work and all reproach for the
petropaylovsk disaster Is wiped OUT
TWO SHIPS LOST SURE.
Chefoo. May 2O.-A private telegram
received here from japanese source
confirms the report that the battlcship
Hatsus was sunk by a mine on the Lao
Tie Shan prOmOntory and that the Cruz
lser Yosklno was sunk In collision with
the cruiser Kasuga off the shan Tung
promontory.
This telegram Is taken here 10 indi-
cate that the Japanese lost two ships,
the Hatsuse and the Yoshlno. and that
they have had two other vessels dam
aged. the Kasuga. In collision with the
Yoshno and another unnamed vessel.
which the Russian refugees from Port
Dalny insist sustained injuries on Sun.
day of the Lao Tie Shan promontory,