Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-10
The War i'm the East.

feated two Russian warshlps, whose
names have not vet been learned, at
Chemulpo. 1t is said the engagement
began at ii a. M, yesterday and con-
tined until p. m. The smaller Russian
vessel is reported to have been sunk and
the larger one fred and hopelessly dis
abled. A part Of the crew is reported
to have escaped to the shore and to have
been captured. The japanese ships are
reported to be slightly damaged. 1t was
reported that the Russian cruisers
Korietz and Variag we're lying at
Chemulpo Monday, and it is possible
that they were the vessels reported to
have been engaged.
In dispatch TO London from Tientsin,
dated February Q, a correspondent OF the
Daily Mail says it is reported there that
the Russian cruisers Variag and korietz
hauled down their flags without firing a
shot, and that 5000 japanese immedi-
ately landed at Chemulpo and the march
to Seoul commenced.
Ii was reported from Peking yesterday
that the japanese had disembarked at
Chemulpo, notwithstanding the presence
there of two Russian warships, and
another dispatch from Cbefoo said Japan
had the Variag and the Korietz caught
at Chemulpo. japanese troops also
landed at all the chief points of southern
and western Korea. One division of
the japanese guards holds Fusan and
Chemulpo, and altogether three divisions
of the japanese guards, each Of $4,000
men, have been modified.
1t appears, the correspondent con-
tinues. that the Russian warships at
Vladivostok are icebound.
Another correspondent Of the London
Daily Mail telegrapbs from Port Arthur,
under date of February 9, that the Rus
sian advance has commenced. General
Krastalinski will leave Lao Yang today
for the Yalu river, at the head of the
third brigade of artillery, consisting Of
twenty-four guns, and three regiments OF
infantry.
Official advices received at Rome from
Toxic say that four battalions Of Japa-
nese infantry have landed in Korea, near
Seoul.
The following bulletin has been issued
in the form at telegram from Viceroy
Alexieff's chief of staff, dated Febru-
airy 8:
"By order of the vicerory beg to re-
mort that this day at about Ii OF clock in
the morning, japanese squadron, con-
sisting of about fifteen battleships and
cruisers, approached Port Arthur and
opened fire. The enemy was received
with cannonade from the shore
batteries and the guns of our squadron,
which also participated in the en-
gagcment At about midday the Japan
csc squadron ceased its fire and left,
proceeding SOUTH. Our losses in the
fleet were two officers wounded, nine
men killed, and forry-one men wound
ed. On the shore batteries one man
was killed and three were wounded.
The bsttleship Boltava and the cruiser
Novik each had hole knocked in her
side below the water-line. The forts
were slightly damaged"
Admiral Alexief's official report of
the attack by the japanese is as follows;
81 most respectfully inform your
majesty that at or about midnight of
February 50 Japanese torpedo boats
made sudden attack by means of
mines upon the Russian squadron in the
outer roads of the fortress of Port Ar
thur, in which the battleships Retvizan
and Cesarevitch and the cruiser Pallada
were damaged. An inspection is being
made to ascertain the character of the
damage. Details are following for your
majesty"
In dispatch from Chefoo, dated Feb
ruary 9, a correspondent of the London
Daily Express says:
''The Japanese have dealt the Rus
slams a crushing blow at Port Arthur. An
advance squadron of the japanese fleet,
under command of Vice Admiral Togo,
and comprising sixteen battle ships and
cruisers, with numerous torpedo hotilla,
left the main fleet off Shan Tung penin
sula on Sunday Immediately that the
news of the diplomatic rupture became
known. This information was conveyed
to the japanese admiral by destroyer
dispatched from Tsnshima Saturday even
ing. The japanese scouting cruisers
had given accurate information of the
precarious situation of the Russian feet
outside Port Arthur. The squadron
steamed slowly in battle formation Sun
day midday toward its goal, and came
within sight of Port Arthur, under cover
of darkness. 1t cruised slowly outside
without showing lights. The Russians
we're lying in the roadstead apparently
feeling secure from attack. Nearly all
the japanese torpedo boats we're dis
patched on their dangerous and dar.
ing task They rushed, full steam, on
the enemy, who were completely surpris-
ed. A great rattle of small arms greeted
the invaders, who, however, escaped I'M
hurt, and the Pallada we're almost i'm
mediately torpedoed. The japanese
dashed along the entire line of the Rus
slams, exposed by now to p terrible fire
from machine guns and small arms from
both the ships and the shore. There was
the utmost CONSERVATION among the Rus
SLAMS, which probably accounts for the
japanese torpedo boats escaping practi-
cally unscathed and reoiaing the adj
miral outside. The admiral's feet, dur
ing the attack, kept out of range Of the
Russian searchlights.
cline of battle was then formed and
the japanese feet moved in within a
ronoe of two and one-half miles and |