The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-05-20
GREAT REJOICING LAST
NIGHT IN ST. PETERSBURG.

st. Petersburg, May 20.-(3 a. M. 1.-The
loss of at least two japanese wafships is
officially confirmed. A message dated
Port Arthur, received by carrier pigeon
at Mukden, was transmitted to the en-
peror early yesterday morning saying
that two Japanese warships had been
lost off that port. The message followed
the emperor to Koursk. and no one here
knew its contents until late last night,
when foreign kilograms brought full de-
tails of the Japanese loss. Early in the
afternoon reports of the sinking of the
Skil1ishima and Fuji on the authority of
Russian refugees from Dalny began to
circulate, and aroused the most intense
interest. When later confirmation came.
the sinking of at least two Japanese war
ships, the greatest enthusiasm was mani
tested. Without reference to it's effects on
the campaign, the people attribute the
enemy's disaster to divine interposition
in the Russian cause.
''It Is an offering to Russia upon the
day of Ascension. and the emperor's
birthday. and it is sign that God is
with u.s. was the remark generally
heard.
City Is Illuminated.
If stranger entered the city tonight
he would find it decorated with flags and
. bunting and Illuminated devices, though
=
not really so. as the decorations are in
celebration of the emperors birthday.
In naval circles the Japanese eatas-
trophe is a matter for rejoicing, though
regrets are expressed that brave men
have lost their lives, just Japan voiced
its sorrow to the world when the brave
men went down with the Petropavovsk
But this feeling of sympathy is swallow
ed up in the greatest thanksgiving for
the blow inflicted on the sea power of the
enemy.
1t is pointed out that the Hatsuse was
one of Japan's finest batteships, and
that the loss of two. and possibly four
warships at intervals of few days, cam
not fail to deeply affect Japan and to in
huence the course of the campaign.
The general staff tonight is without
direct news of the sinking of the Shik-
shma and the Full. but there is an i'm
preston that 1t may be true. The reports
at any rate have infused fresh life and
enthusiasm IN official circles, where it
Is believed that the tide has been turned.
No Surprise Is Expressed.
No surprise is expressed by the admiral
ty at the Japanese vessels striking Rus
sian mines, the admiralty expecting such
a mishap TO Vice Admiral Togo, partictI-
larly since the raval commanders at Pert
Arthur have faithfully duplicated his
plan which resulted in the sinking of the
PetropavolvsS. Wherever off Port Arthur
the japanese squadron appeared during
the day that same night Russian torpedo
boats stole out and carefully planted con-
tact mines. which, floating below the sur
face, would not be touched by the de-
stroyers, but ships of heavier draught
cruising in the mire fields would be sure
to strike thein
The loss of the Hatsnse, irrespective of
other casualties which may have oc-
Cured in Togos fleet. is of the utmost
Importance, according to the general staff
members. one of whom pointed to the
Associated Press that it tends to re-
store the equilibrium aroat.
Lost But One Battleship.
Despite the casulties in the Russian
fleet, it has lost only one battleship, the
Petropavoysk
1t is true that the Retvizan and the
Czarevitch were torpedored at the begin
ming of the war, but both these battle
ships were safely towed intd Port Ar
thur The damage thus sustained was
serious. but repairs have been in pro-
gress since then, and the officials state
that the Retvizan is practically ready to
--~"-.e her place in the fighting line. The