The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-05-17
RUSSIA'S FIRST
NAVAL SUCCESS
Torpedoed, But Did Not Sink, Jap
Cruiser in Talienwan Bay.
CHINESE TROOPS LOOT MINE


Chinese Have Agreed to Cooperate
with DEMONSTRATIONS Kill Fifty
Bandits In Fierce Fight.
Lao Yang. May 1.-THE Russian
feet scored its first distinct naval sue
cess of the war on Tuesday. May TO-
bv the torpedoing and crippling al
though not the sinking. of an armored
Jananese cruiser in Talenwan bay.
The Russian attack was carefully
planned on May 10 while the japanese
squadron was concentrated outside
Dalny devoting its whole attention To
Talienwan bay. and was carried out
the same night.
The attacking force was not a regu-
lar torpedo boat. but was only smail
naphtha launch in command OF young
naval officer who had with him three
tackles. The launch mounted a smali
machine gun and carried three TOT
pedoes. When darkness fell the lauheh
crept out of Port Arthur, hugging the
shore. with no lights aboard ana no
glow from the engines to betray her
presence. Il was late when she gained
the outer line Of the japanese squau'
ron. Slipping through the torpedo boat
plckets and selecting the nearest war
shin. a big armored cruiser, she store
toward her and succeeded In exploding
against her side a single torpedo \
deafening roar followed the explosion
which echoed far ashore. Immediately
flames enveloped the cruiser, when
evidently was badly crippled
The crew of the cruiser was seen
TO be fighting the fire, which they al
last succeeded In extinguishing. "A
sister ship took the damaged vessel IN
tow and disappeared to the southeast.
The launch escaped the hot fire di-
rected against her by the Japanese
ships. but being unable to return TO
Port Arthur or to get into Dalny, she
was beached not far from Dalny
Only a few OF the higher officers
were aware OF the plan, the success OF
which depended on secrecy the
achievement raised the spirits Of the
Russians afoat and ashore. and the
young naval officer who was the hero
of the exploit was feted and recon-
mended for the cross of St George.
The Russians on May II, apprehend-
ing that the presence of a Japanese
squadron meant an attempt to capture
Dalny blew up the piers and quietly
evacuated the place.
Two thousand japanese have reoc'
cupied the road to Sanchilipu again
cutting of Port Arthur. A strong
force is advancing against Polandien
Chinese bandits are becoming much
bOlder and are causing considerable
trouble 10 the Russian ouiposts. a
swarm Of bandits at noon OF May Is
attacked the coal mines on the branch
line east OF Yangtai station, 10 miles
north of Lao Yang. The mines. which
supply the whole railroad. were guard
ed by 200 rinemen and 100 Cossacks.
In a fierce fight the Russians repelied
the bandits and then charged them
the bandits fleeing to the hills and to
three neighboring villages. The troops
surrounded the villages and demanded
the surrender of the bandits. The sur
render was at first refused, but, fear
ing that the Russians would destroy
their homes, the villagers finally re-
vealed the hiding places of the fugi-
tives. The bandits fought with the
desperation of entrapped rats. and 90
of them were speared and killed The
Russians suffered no loss.
Among II prisoners taken by the
troops we're two japanese officers, who
had escaped from the Russians. One
Of the bandits taken prisoner confessed
that the bandits had been hired by
the japanese. whom they were supply
ing with information.
Chinese soldiers yesterday attacked
the railway coal mines occupied by
the Russian administrative force near
Port Adams, and drove out the officials
who were working therein, many OF
them escaping only partly clad. The
Chinese looted the works and retired.