The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-21

the latest advices. and that Port Arthur has been given Q respite. although the cruisers and torpedo boat destroysrs have kept close blockade. The correspondent says that Vice Admiral Kamimuras' bombardment of viadivostok was solely intended to har- rass the Russians and to compel the Russian cruisers to leave the harbor. The Vice Admiral brought his ships within range opposite the point of the forts on the northeast entrance. The Russians did not reply because the Japa- nese vessels took up positions beyond the arc of the training of the guns.
 Vice Admiral Kamimura sailed South, March II. after searching Amur Bay.
 Since Vice Admiral MalSaroff's arrival tsPort Arthur. he adds. the Russian de- fensive tactics have been more active and their torpedo boat destropers more alert and enterprising.
 Describing the fight between the Rus sian and the Japanese torpedo boats. the correspondent confirms the herceness of the fight. The vessels were so close that the Russians threw charges of explosives on to the bridge of one of the Japanese torpedo boat destroyers. These. however. failed to detonate. All the vessels en- gagged were more or less damaged. The Japanese losses were six killed and eight wounded. That the Russians were defeat ed in sipte of their superior numbers. is due to the better shooting of the Japan ese, and the fact that tie Russian vessels were armed with three-pound guns, while the armament of the Japanese was made up of six-pounders.
 In reference to the fight of three hours which occurred later. the correspondent says the Russians fought with despera- ton and the Japanese with. confidence born of their past victories. One Rus sian commander was killed early In the fight. A Lieutenant then took command. only to fall, shot in both legs, Then the command devolved upon the sub Lieu tenant. who was also killed. after taking the wheel himself. Then the coxswain fell, this vessel was captured by the Japanese. The Russian vessels escaped. On the Japanese side one destroyer was | hit on the water line. two of her conn partments were flooded and her quick firing ammunition was wetted. This ves- sel was retired from action. Her officers escaped narrowly rom 12 pound shot which struck the platform in front of the bridge, killing one man and knocking the bridge to splinters. The same vessel re- ceived pound shot through the hull. but the damage was repaired within four days
 A Japanese Lieutenant Wu0 DOafueo the stereguschtchi said he had never seen more sickening sight. Thirty bodies, terribly mutiiated by shell, were lying on deck. As the Japanese approached. two Russian blue jackets ruched from fhs tower. locked themselves in the cabin aft, and refused to come out. Two stok- CTS Jumped overheard and were picked up. These. with two wounded men. were the only survivors of a crew of nfty-five. When the Btereguschtchi sank the men who were locked in the cabin sank with her.
 The light lasted nearly an hour. The weakness of the Russian torpedo boat de- stroyers armament again proved fatal. The Japanese concentrated their ire first Oh the Russians i2-pounder. and put it out of action early in the fight. leaving her with only her 3-pouuders against their own 12-pounders and sipound guns. The Japanese had three killed and four wounded.
 Describing the bonabardment of Port Arthur on the same day. the correspon- dent asserts that more than 110 shells fell in the town. The effect of the great shells from the l2-inch guns must have been appalling. Outbreaks of fire were seen and the report of an explosion was heard. It is surmised occurred in one of the mag. azines of the forts.