The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-02
WAR FLEET SEEN
FIRING ITS GUNS

CHEFOO. July What should prove
to be a decisive naval engagement was
IN progress at o'clock yesterday after
noon midway between Chefoo and Port
Arthur
The steamer Chefoo. which has ar
rived here passed within fifteen miles Of
the Japanese fleet, consisting of two
battleships and five cruisers, all actively
engaged. The Russian fleet was not
seen, but the distance of the Japanese
from land precludes the possibility Of
any attack on the land batteries.
Explosion Heard.
The captain Of the Chef0o says he
heard a terrific explosion. but was un-
able TO discern whether "A Japanese or
Russian ship was affected
The battle is held here 10 confirm the
Chinese report that only four of the
larger Russian war ships were at Port
Arthur last night.
A party of Russians and Chinese ar
rived here by junk direct from Port Ar
thur, having left there Thursday. They
report that for several days shells from
both land and sea have been falling in
the town. but doing little damage.
Russians Suffer.
The Russians who resisted the advance
Of the Japanese suffered severely Many
dead and wounded men have been
brought TO Port Arthur. The hospital
there is overcrowded.
II is difficult TO obtain correct lnfor,
nation in regard TO the condition Of the
lecJ. The Russians maintain that 10 is
intact with the exception Of the battle
snip SeNastOpOl which IS being repaired.
-
A Chinan>an who left Port Arlhur
Thursday night, and who has arrived
here. says there are only four Russian
Warships, cruisers, and battleships In the
harbOr and none outside The opinion
prevails that the fastest ships succeeded
IN eluding the five Japanese warslius
maintaining the blockade.
Ire Chinese confirm the previous To-
ports lH&t q large ship is ashore SOUTH
east of the Llao-Ti-Shau proMoutory.
Fart Of the Port Arthur defenSes were
captured on Sunday after am albany
night, beginning with an artillery duel
No Confirmation OF Story.
LONDON. July The report Of the
naval battle south Of Port Arthur rests
entirely on the authority of the captain
and crew Of the unnamed German
steamer which has arrived at Chef9o
Z
forty miles north Of ChefOO, which
would make il approximately the same
distance from Port Arthur.
They say that they plainly saw the
E'SheS OF the guns Of the opposing shlps.
although only the japanese vessels were
visible. The time is stated 10 have been
=. N.
Failure at Escape.
Assuming the story to be true. il is
supposed here that the Russians have
again tried what they failed 10 achiere
on june g, either aiming 10 Join the
NladivOs tok squadron or TO reach ucu-
trail port to insure their ultimate saret-
The probability that they deliberately.
assailed The Japanese is regarded as
prCcluded in view OF the admission of
inferior strength contained In Admiral
AleNlenS dispatch regarding the pre-
yiOus engagement. II Is therefore TO
De assured that the Japanese lay in
wait 10 engage the Russians instead OF
driving them into port as they did on
June p.
No Independent Observers.
General Zilinsky's dispatch tells all
that is known about the closing IN on
Port Arthur. 1t seems that these oper-
ations, as well as the Kin-Chow battle,
viii never be described by independent
observers. as il is practically certain
that no correspondents We're with either
army
il is believed, however. that tile
American and British correspondents
who have been So long at Tokyo arc
either on the way 20 the front or vii
leave soon, arriving in time 10 witness
The expected downfall Of Port Arthur.