New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-17
DESTROYER BLOWN UP.
Russians Sink Their VesseI at Che
F0O-Jdpanese off Port.

Che-Foo, Nov. 16.-The Russian destrover
Rastoropny, which entered this port early this
morning was blown up by order of her cor,.
fnarder to-day. Two japanese destroyers wers
seen at the mouth of the harbor tonight and
their presence undoubtedly precipitated the ac
ton Of the Russians.
me russian crew, with the exception of one
man left the destroyer In the afternoon This
man blew up the vessel. There we're five dull
eAlioSlohs OF ordinary powder, small charges
having been placed in each of the waterttght
compartments The Rastoropny at once settled
On me bottom single spar marks her grave
IL was learned authoritatively tonight that
Tie RaStoropny carried orders providing that
unless there came a highly favorable oppor
tunlty 10 escape, the vessel should be DESTROYED
Customs officer KONG on board the de-
stToyer and the Russians had considerable din,
Guilty in getting rid Of him without arousine his
suspicion
The destroyer's cutter. manned by two men.
~as lying near, and the official was persuaded
to be rowed around the Rastoropny, in order
that he might see the injuries she was alleged to
nave received. No sooner had the customs of
heeT stepped into the cutter than a petty officer
ordered the rowers to hasten away When the
destroyer had gone down the official was taken
on shore
The japanese Consul says that the Russians
wasted their vessel. the Ryeshitelni incident
would not have been repeated
ti'or TO the destruction of the vessel the
Iaolal had officially notified to the Japanese
oo-sul thal her disarmament had been COM
!ie'sd' tle breechblocks and ammunition hav-
s pee" removed and her machinery disabled
me Russian Consul also informed the Taotai
Lia' lhe destroyer had been driven toward Che
roo by heavy sea. and that it had been de-
cided 70 disarm her because her MACHINERY, had
been disabled
me Japanese Consul says that nine Of the
F'Ossian crew came ashore with their rifles. He
mas protested 20 the authorities against this
action ''i''
commander Pelern Of the Rastoropny said:
left Port Arthur al midnight in a bIindipg
tt-o"storE2- The boat was l-avgated through ali
- CANCERS OF floating mines without a mis-
80 ~! reaching the open we saw Ian
.sse cruiser ana some torpedo boats in the dis
- e-iCF' hut %e We're steaming RAPIDLY throueh
eloiif' WIN lights eNtingushed and passed
len unnoticed. We reached Che-Foo without
-'--S'iap OF any kind.
Commander Pelem added that the cestroysr,s
o'-ect was simply 10 carry dispatches. The
o'her Russian ships remained at Port arth,r
q was optimistic regarding Port Arthur. He
oe' cred that all the forts remained in Rms
'S" hands and that the garrison was conf
60 ana IN good spirits. The former Russian
s'"oF oi Port Dalny, NJ. Sakharoff. died re-
10y at Hrt Arthur from enteric fever.
olher Russian officers say the condition
or arthur is good as 1t was two nonths
Ihey also deny the report that the Rms
- "i!hored cruiser Bayan has been sunk
s" tAey admit that a shell damaged her
which are being repaired Russian
hs's come out Of Port Arthur daily. tsa
ups remaining IN the harbor. The
Continued On third onSa