The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-20
SKRYDLOFF'S RAID ENDS
Japanese Admiral Is Blamed for Not
Catching VIadivostok Squadron

Toxic. June 20.-The remarkable
raid Of the Russian VladivOstok
squadron evidently is over. The
squadron disappeared yesterday off
Cape Henashf. steering to the north,
and it has not been reported since. 1t
is assumed to be returning to Nladi-
vostok-
Whether or not a portion of Vice
Admiral Kamimura's squadron is
awaiting the Russians of Nladivostok
is a carefully guarded secret AS
Stunning that Vice Admiral Kamimura
dispatched some of his vessels to
Nladivostok when he learned that
the Russian squadron was off Xxi
island. these ships would have had
ample time to arrive there ahead
of the Russians and will be ready to
give battle.
thus conditions have been against
the japanese.
1t is reported that the rafding Rus
slams captured British steamer
laden with coal bound south from the
island OF eco and sent II to NIad1-
vostOk with a prize crew. but the re-
port is not confirmed by the Japanese
navy department.
The transports Sado, Hitaici and
1Zuml were the only ones over
hauled by the Russians. Japan had
thirteen transports in and near the
strait of Korea the morning the SadO
was fortunate that only the three
ships mentioned were overtaken by
the enemy.
1t is impossible to get complete facts
concerning the sinking of the Hiatici. It
evidently failed to stop when Signaled
to do so by the Russian vessel. The
claim is made that Captain Campbell
the English master Of the Hftaicf refus-
ed to stop and planned to ram the Rus
sian but this is denied. It is said that
the japanese officers on board the Hi
talcl declined to surrender and required
captain Campbell to keep his ship go
ing The assertion that the Russians
nred upon the hfeboats in which men
were escaping from the japanese trans
port has not been fully substantiated
The raid Of the VladivostOk SQUADRON
has brought an unwarranted amount of
CtlLlclSm upon vice Admiral NJ. kami-
mura from the japanese and his failure
TO catch the Russians in the fog off
Gensan, Korea. when the japanese
transport Kinshiu was sunk April IS.
with a loss of about 200 men, has been
recalled Some Of these even say that
If Vice Admiral Kamimura fails to
catch the Russian vessels before they
reach NladivostOk he should either re-
sign rom the navy or commit suicide.
The popular demand for his replace
ment is growing but the public is with
out information as to the nature of his
orders, or the plans of the naval cam
palgn, and fails to make allowance for
the Limitation of conditions.
Vice Admiral Kamimura's squadron
was lying of Tsu island when the raid
ing Russians reached OkinO island. He
Immediately started in pursuit of the
enemy, but rains obscured the sea and
az. electrical storm interfered with his
system Of wireless telegraphy. Vice
ADMIRAL Kamimura is a splendid officer
and the only possible Indictment
against him is one of lack of good luck.
The japanese generally magnify the
Importance of this Russian raid, which
has no material effect upon the war. 1t
was a desperate venture and it is be
ueved here to have succeeded only
through blind luck
The Tawata and the Ansei, two sail
Ing ships. were sunk by the Russians
Thursday between KO island and
Okushiri island. OF the west coast of
Tezo, and north of the Tsugasu strait
Inirty-seNen survivors reached ESas hi
THURSDAY afternoon. This makes a total
or I'VE japanese ships sunk or DESTROY
ed by the Russian raiders.
The island Of Oshirna is situated near
the northwest of the western entrance
of the Isugasu strait The Izumi was
retiring to Japan and was carving los
passengers. The crew took to the hos rs
when the Russian fleet was sighted
The armOred cruiser GrornEof SfgnaIed
for the boats to approach. They. com
piled and all were taken on hoard and
confined between decks over night
Thursday morning the noncorn batants
We're released and sent aboard the Ian
anese vessel Unko which brought them
to Nahum The Russian vessels are
reported TO have sailed in the direction
of Hokkado.
The Passengers Were Saved.
Nagasaki, June 2O.-Three boat
loads Of survivors of the Japaaese
transport Izunai. which was sunk by
the Russian squadron off Oshima
Wednesday morning, have arrived at
Hakata- Twenty-Five other survivors
have landed at MaizuTu-
survivors say that the Izumi was
surrounded at s o'clock in the morn
ing by Russian ships and that the
passengers on board were transferred
to the Russian arnored cruiser
GrOmoboi. while the transport was
sheiled and sunk The persons re-
moved from the Japanese ships, num-
bering eighteen all told were con-