The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-04-15
HEHOIC WAR MISSION
Solemn Farewell Scene on
Japanese Vessel
GOoDBY Speech TO VOLUNTEERS


Captain Yatsushiro,s Advice TO His
brave Comrades who were select
ca For the second Attempt 10 close
Port Arthur Isarbor-aEyen when
wounded sam work 10 the End"
He Urged.
According g the Nichi Nichi SHIN
bun, Tokyo newspaper, copies Of
which have been received at the Jap.
anese legation in Washington. an in
ieresting and impressive scene pre-
ceded the departure from the Japa-
nese battieship Asama Of the i've men
Of that vessel who were selected from
among an Overwhelming number Of
volunteers 10 take part in the attempt
10 close Tie entrance Of Port Arthur by
sinking merchant vessels. 4 transla-
ton Of the Niehi Niem shimbmns ac-
count follows
After the second attack on Port
Arthur on the morning OF FEB. "A Adj
miral Togo perfected the plan Of clos
ing the entrance Of the harbor ana
called for volunteers 70 man the Ave
merchant vessels which were to be
employed in the attempt. An over
whelmlng number Of officers and sea
men offered their services, and from
among them the necessary number
was selected, seventy-seyen officers
ami men in all
"On the night OF Feb. 10, when the
volunteers were about TO embark on
the vessels to which they had been as
signed, enthusiastic ovations were Civ
en- to them BY their comrades on board
the vessels Of the fleet from which
they had been selected. Among 9TH
crs a solemn scene was witnessed on
The battleship Asama In the pres
ence Of all the crew. who were col
lected on The upper deck. Captain Vat
sushiro brought out q large silver bowl
presented to him BY the crown prince
He filled II with water drank with
each Of the five volunteers who had
been selected from the Asama and
then addressed Them
tn ordering You To this almost Ger
tain fatal mission / feel as would
II were sending beloved children to
their deaths. Yet had / hundred
children could not but wish that they
might ail have the privilege Of going
upon such heroic mission OR had
one and but one. child | would equal
" desire that he might be chosen to
face death ID tie performance Of such |
4 glorious duty You my brave com
rldes haze been chosen for this duty,
and, ! aaiUre you work. even when
wounded ana maimed. still work 70 the |
end
And above ala never fail In strict I
and prompt obedience % the orders OF |
your commander Feeling that you
will glpe heed % what ] say. / am
sure that / may safely send you upon I
ills desperate mission ! do not need /
to shy That you should be ready 10
give your lives for honor ana for duty 1
Nevertheless, | do not mean that sou
should sell your lives cheaply, or that
you win gain fame by sacrificing them
needlessly All that | mean is that
You should not shrink from death In
the performance If duty.
Give SOU Wine To take with YOU, II
not q be drunk FOR tho stimulation Of
your courage. but solely for use in case
q wounds or Injury Remember. you
represent the Asana. and DO not forget
that 4 would he disgrace g have 1t
said thnt aen FROM the Asama risked
their lives under the Indictment OF
wine, ! shall long for the glorious mo
ment WHEN you may return to rs after
the successful fulhllment 81 your duty
and when wc may testify our joy by
drinking 70 YOU III the vine you now
take with y0u
3o therefore. my brave comrades.
With perfect faith III the grace of
heaven and courageous submission to
The win Of God, perform with serene
confidence he important task iutrusfed
@ Won