Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-08-19
against the Vladiyostok squadron as
would insure victory beyond a doubt.
Kanimura. Directs the Attack.

Kamin,ura. Directs the Attack.
When Kamifnura received a wireless
fash telling him Of the Port Arthur
squadron's dash for freedom August 10
he redoubled his vigilance in watching
for the Vladivostok ships. AS dawn was
breaking over the blue strait between
Tsushima island and the japanese coast
he sighted three ominous looking vessels
steaming down from the north. His
decks were already clear for action. He
gave orders to prepare for battle.
With patriotic fervor sailors sprung to
their places and the men 10 the guns.
Full speed ahead" was Kamimura's
next order as he directed his warships
straight toward the oncoming foes, whose
chief in command was believed to be
none other than the dashing Skrydiof,
chief Of the Russian navy in the Orient.
Decks Slippery with Blood.
Within a few minutes the cannon of
the opposing fleets were belching solid
shot and shell. In the coming tower of
his flagship stood kamimura, shells
screeching ovec his head and under his
feet. Russian slOt raked his decks,
which soon We're slippery with the blood
of slain japanese. But with his naked
eye he could see that the japanese shots
were striking home. Splashing wafer all
around the Russian cruisers and the sight
the Japanese gunners had the range.
Closer and closer together came the
| opposing forces. Then the Russian yes
sells veered and hurled broadsides at the
Japanese. kamimura's men responded
with one brOadside after another.
Sinking of the Rurik.
'Banzai. Banzai-' suddenly rose the
! cry on the deck of Kamimura's flagship
The Rurik had been hit in a vital spot
and she was seen to be settling at one
end. But the fire of the japanese never
! slackened.
| In the bowels of lIamimura's ships
were deft marksmen mad for revenge.
! Those Russian cruisers in the fray had
! inflicted untold loss on Japanese COM
merce in q raid of the Pacific. 1t was
Japans turn now.
! While cannon reared and marines grew
| faint and deaf with the awful conclusion
Of the firing, the Rurik settled fast and
soon she heaved up on end and plunged
into the sea. her Russian complement
hghting valiantly and defying the Japa-
nese to the last.
Surviving Russians Run Away.
After the Rurik sank the Gromoboi
and ROssia continued an unequal battle
BY sklliful maneuvering, by broadsides
and by lOng-range firing they sought to
strike kamimura a death blow. But the
japanese maneuvered equally we'll. their
| fre was more accurate and after total
OF five hours the Russians turned north
and steamed away at the fastest possible
speed. Both, however, had been struck
by many shells and plainly showed that
they were badly damaged.
Then began the pursuit, whose result
Japan is awaiting with feverish excite
ment, though there is no doubt what the
news will be.
Kamimura Now Hero.
Already Kamimura is the hero of the
! hour. \ week ago he was i'll disgrace.
| The public blamed him for allowing the
NladivOstok squadron to raid the Pacific
and he was urged to commit hara -kiri
He has more than redeemed himself by
his victory and now comes out the secret
OF his inability to prevent the Russian
! rad on commerce.
The Russian squadron which formerly
confronted Admiral Togo at Port Arthur
| was stronger than TogO's squadron in
battleships and armored cruisers. and
had it elected to fight early in the war
the result might have altered the fortunes
of the combatants. The strength of the
squadron which opposed Admiral Togo
compelled him to draw vessels from the
squadron under Vice Admiral Kamimura
! and this left the japanese navy power
less to operate against the Russian Nladi-
! NoStOk squadron ana unable to prevent
| the raids of those vessels.
The raid conducted by the Vladivostoiz
! squadron in July was extremely expen-
! sive TO the Japanese, and not only was
retaliation tempting but it was demanded
| by commercial interests.
Japan's Naval Plans Correct.
The navy, however, grimly refused to
make a diversion and stuck to Port Ar
thur. 1t was confident that the harbor
soon would be untenable for the Russian
warships, that it would eventually get Il
! fair fight III the open sea away from the
Russian land batteries, and that the Japa-
neSe would win. These calculations of
| the navy were correct and the Russians.
with the chances even, have been hope
lessly defeated.
The strength Of the fleet under Vice
Admiral kamimura is not known. but it
( is presumed that he had the Adsuma. ID
sumo, 1wate, Takashiho and other light
( cruisers.