Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-10
Gen. Nentrls, and his chief of staff,
proceeded TO Shanhaikwang, this
morning."

zen. Nehttis' ana his chief of staff,
proceeded to Shanhaikwang, this
informing"
Che FOO Feb. "a member of the
crew Oh the Columbia tells this story
of the naval battle at Port Arthur:
The Columbia was lying in the road
bed surrounded by IA Russian battle
ships and cruisers. At 1l.30 o'clock,
Monday night. severe shock was felt
on board the Columbia The Russians
Immediately commenced to operate
their searchightS and opened fire to-
wards the sea. The fire lasted only a
short time. At l O'clock. more shocks
were felt and the Russians again COM
inenced firing. The Japanese did not
return the fire. At o'clock two Rus
sian battleships went in and were
beached across the entrance of the
harbor. They We're soon followed by
Il Russlan cruiser. which also was
beached. None of the vessels were
damaged above the waterline. More
shocks from torpedoes were felt during
the early morning and then all was
quiet.
AT 10 o'clock Tuesday morning.
three japanese cruisers passed Port
Arthur in sight of the Russian fleet.
The Whole Russian fleet Immediately
weighed anchor and went after them
but returned in half an hour
| Pellin, Feb. 9.-About 1000 Japanese
| troops disenbarked at Chemulpo.
Corea. yesterday. notwithstanding the
presence there of two Russian war;
ships.
| St. Petersburg, Feb. 10.-1 A. M.-The
| following official bulletin has just been
issued in the form of a telegram from
| Niceroy AleXieff. chief of staff, dated
Feb 8:
! BY order of the viceroy, l beg to
report that this day at about II o'clock
| in the evening, Japanese squadron
consisting OF about Is battleships and
cruisers approached Port Arthur and
| opened fire. The enemy was received
with IL cannonade from the shore bat
| teries and the guns of our squadron,
which also participated in the angage-
! inent.
! AT about midday, the Japanese
squadron ceased its fire and left, pro-
| ceeding south.
| oET iOSStS III the lleeL Ncic Two
officers wounded, nine men killed and
Il men wounded. On the shore batter
| les one man was killed and three men
wounded. The battleship Poleava and
the cruiser Novik each mad hole
knocked in her side below the water
| line. The forts were slightly damaged.
! (Signed,
| MAJOR GENERAL FLCG."
Che Foo, Feb. 9.-The Japanese con-
! sui, who has just returned to Che Foo
from Dalny, says he passed a Japanese
fleet, today, going in the direction of
Port Arthur.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 9.-3 p. M.-The
| news that Japan had duplicated her
tactics at the opening of the Chino
Japanese war by Il torpedo attack on
The Russian ships off Port Arthur ere
! ated intense excitement. The bare an
nOuncement arrived from Niceroy
! Alexieff at o'clock, this morning. De
! tails are anXiously awaited. Extra e1i-
tons Of the morning papers print ed
early in the forenoon after the appear
ance of the Official Messenger con-
Veyed the intelligence to the population
OF the capital and dispclled any lingcr-
| ing hopes that war could be avertcd.
The Car and his ministers. who had
been informed Immediately of the Ie-
ceipt Of Niceroy AleXieffs telegram,
accepted the gaze and prepared to face
the reality OF war. His Majesty's mani
| feGtO declaring Il state of war to exist
! is expected to be issued, tomorrow
morning. at the latest.
Feverisil activity reigned at all the
: ministries and war preparations were
pushed in all directions.
| Paris, Feb. 9.--China, ii is under
stood. has given official assurances that
she will Immediately issue Il decla,a-
ton Of neutrality. This is considered
| highly important in view OF the posi-
| bili.y of Chinese. impressed by the
Japanese success at Port Arthur, join
| ing the Japanese.
| St Petersburg. Feb. 9.-The latest
returns of Russian warships in the Far
| East total "a. including eight battle
| ships, IS cruisers. seven gunboats and
| SO torpedo boat destroyerS and torpedo
boats. Three more battleships and nine
torpedo boats are TO go to the Far East
| III the spring.
| st. Petersburg. Feb. 9.-There was
| AN unprecedented scene at the religious
| service held in the Winter Palace, this
| afternoon. At the command of the Car
! Il great cOncoursc Of ministers. court
officials, high state functionaries. ladies
of rank, and military men, assembled
! in st. Georges hall, all the men arrayed
! in full uniform. After some delay the
| Car entered. wearing the uniform of
the First Guard Regiment of Russia
with the Dowager Czarina on his arm
| The young Czarina. wearing her ia
vo. tie white and silver, followed, cs-
| corted by the Grand Duke Michael. the
heir nresumptive. The entire imperial
party followed in order of precedence.
| Approaching Il group of naval and
military officers. His Majesty turned
sravely and greeted them with the Gus
| tomary Russian phrase:
Il wish you good health. gentlemen.
! The officers responded with a loud ac-
claim shouting vigorous hurrahS.
| rho coapa hpcoYpn ono of wild en-