The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1904-02-12
RUSSIAN VESSELS.
Eight Were Captured by the
japanese at ChemulpO.
Formal Declaration of War Has Been
Prepared and Approved BY Japan
csc Cabinet-The Mikado Is
experimenting Affairs.

washington, teD. 10.-Ihe state de-
partment Tuesday received a cable
gram from Ambassador Mccormick at
st. Petersburg confirming the press re-
ports to the effect that three warships
of the Russian fleet had been dam
aged in an attack in the roads of the
harbor at Port Arthur by Japanese
torpedo boats. The extent of the dam
age to the vessels, it is said. is I'M
known This was the first official in
formation received concerning this en-
.gagement.
Che Foo, Feb. 10.-A member of the
crew of the Columbia tells this story
of the naval battle at Port Arthur:
The Columbia was lying in the
roadsted surrounded by IA Russian
battleships and cruisers. At 1880
o'clock Monday night severe shock
was felt on board the Columbia. The
Russians Immediately commenced to
operate their searchlights and opened
fire towards the sea. The firing lasted
only short time At 1 o'clock more
shocks were felt and the Russians
csc did not return the fire. At 2
o'clock two Russian battleships went
in and were beached across the en-
trance of the harbor. They were soon
followed by a Russian cruiser, which
also was beached. None of the YES
sells were damaged above the water
line More shocks from torpedoes
were felt during the early morning and
then all was quiet. At 10 o'clock Tues
day morning three Japanese cruisers
passed Port Arthur in sight of the
Russian fleet. The whole Russian fleet
Immediately weighed anchor and went
after them but returned in half an
hour"
The Russian forts opened fire on
che Japanese fleet, which was about
three miles distant The japanese
vessels returned the fire, hitting sew
eral of the Russian ships, but doing
little damage. The Russian cruisers
then went out, and the japanese YES
sells disappeared. They were seen la
ter going in the direction of Dalny,
apparently unchanged, although the
officers of the Columbia say that there
were II in the attacking party, only
16 were seen later in the day near Foo
Chow
The Columbia had a narrow escape
from injury. Her passengers and crew
were very much excited in regard to
her dangerous position. While going
out Of the roads at Port Arthur the
Russian cruiser NOvik got between the
Columbia and the Japanese fleet.
Shells which passed over the Novik
struck around the Columbia. Her flag
was cut into shreds and one shell fell
on her deck. The faces of those who
were on deck were blackened with
powder smoke A naval officer who
was recently at Port Arthur says the
Russians were not prepared for the
attack on their ships and had an in
sufficient amount of steam up. A boat
patrolled the straits of Pc Chi Ii con-
tinuously but apparently the Japanese
torpedo boats were not noticed until
after the first torpedo was fired. The
Russians fired but the Japanese did
not return the fire and backed off. An
hour later the discharge of torpedoes
was repeated, after which the torpedo
boats withdrew some distance.
At 10 O'Clock Tuesday morning the
Japanese fast cruisers circled within
view of the whole Russian fleet, but
they were not engaged. The Russians
sreturned toward the harbor after an
hour The Japanese continuing came
within three miles. A battle then be-
gan and the Russian forts and IA ships
against 16 Japanese vessels. A few
of the Japanese shells were effective
but as far as seen the Russian shots
fell short.
Japanese are reported to be in pos
session of the southern portion of the
peninsula.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 10.-A telegram
has been received from Viceroy Alex
loft 1t is dated February 9, and says:
"A Japanese squadron Of Is battle
ships and cruisers to-day began to
lombard Port Arthur. The fortress
replied and the squadron weighed an
Choir in order to participate in the
battle"
Another telegram from the viceroy
says that after a bombardment lasting
one hour the Japanese squadron ceas-
ed its fire and steamed southwark.
Our losses" the viceroy continues,
"are two naval officers and 81 men
wounded and nine men killed, and on
the coast batteries one man killed and
three wounded
During the engagement the battle
ship Poltaya and the cruisers Diana,
Askold and Novik were each damaged
On the water line. The damage to the
fortress was not important"
Toxic, Feb. 11.-Undaunted by the
absence of official combinations Japan
is rejoicing over a great naval victory
at Port Arthur. Early wednesday
came cable report from the Japan
csc consul at Che Foo saying that
early Monday the Japanese torpedo
Sailed For the Orient.
San Francisco, Feb. 1.-THE steam
shin To01so Ors0r.f xxi ff7