Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-11-17
MtSSS5;ayj,kS CT IMPORTANCE
TORPEDO EoAT DESTROYER CAR
RlED DISPATCHES FROM
GENERAL sToEssEL.

the Russian torpedo boat destroyer
Rastoropny, which has put into this
port, brought dispatch from General
Stoessel asking the St Petersburg aaa-
thorities Or instructions as to whether
he would continue to hold out, await
ing relief, &C make immediate arrange
ments with the Japanese Tor SURRENDER
upon the most advantageous terms pos
sible. This rumor cannot be conf,rm.
ed, but it is obvious that only dis
patches of the highest importance
would impel General Stoessel 10 FISK
the loss OF a warsnlp by sending her
out upon such q mission in face OF
the rigid blockade maintained OIL Por1
Arthur by the Japanese tleet.
The captain or the Rastoropny has
notified the Chinese authorities thai
he will disarGl. 1t is believed that this
decision was arrived al alter cOmmI-
nicating with St. Petersburg.
There is reason to believe that Jap
aneSe cruisers have been watching tEls
port, although a steamer which has
just arrived saw no Japanese war YES
sci.
The commander OF the Rastoropny,
in an interview on his adventurous
voyage, said:
Il leIt Port Arthur at midnight in a
binding snow storm. The boat was
navlgated through all the dangers OF
floating mines without mishap. On
reaching the open sea we saw Jap
anese cruiser and some torpedo boats
in the distance, Tut we were steamlng
rapidly through The storm with lights
extingusluu and passed them unnO-
ticeI. we ieached Cnefoo without a
mlshap OF any Knd.'
IHe co.un-.naer of the torpedo beat
destroyer WaS optimistic with refer
ellCc u FOIL lLuI. lie declared that
al lie ISIS remained in Russian
AuiA.As an laat lne garrison was con-
hacnt and III sood spirits.
Tine lOiu4el RUSSIAN governor OF
POlL L;4.ny, Ii. l,,...1iAl Of, died recent
~ at uit .-Illur VI enteric fever.
Optimism OF Onieers Cy.. drawn.
The kasLo.opny ente4 Gu .u--oo NllA
music buA playing 4shtly &it'
and the savory door of d DreaNiasI
steak, apparently testify .As 10 the lat
that Port Arthur SUI enjoys fresh
meat. The destroyer sped in like an
arrow at 8: so a. IN. anu anchored a few
hundred yards aba1L lie tnlLeo blales
cruiser New Orleans, Aagsnlp o. kear
Admiral FOlger, commander OF The
cruiser squadron OF the Aslatlc fleet.
The Chinese cruiser 1alsed steam with
in twenty minutes anu came close TO
the Rastoropny. Captain Ching OF the
Haiyung boarded her and held brief
conference with Commander Pelem.
Ensign Wainwright, hear Admiral Fol
gers aide. boarded the Rastoropny I'M
mediately, but he and Captain Ching
were not invited to enter the Kasto-
ropny's cabin, although blizzard was
cutting their faces.
Captain Ching notified Commander
Pelem that twenty -four hours was the
limit of the time he could remain arm
ID at Chefoo, after which the Rasto-
ropny would BE- compelled to disarm.
While delivering the ultimatum the
Russian sailors, who seemed to be
healthy and care free, continued greas-
ing the torpedo tubes, which were
loaded.
Following the conference with Cap
further in, to the old anchorage of the
torpedo boat destroyer Ryeshitelni,
where the Russian consul boarded the
Rastoropny and brought her dispatches
ashore.
=. The Russian officers are Teticent, but
they say the condition of Port Arthur
is as good as it was two months ago.
They also deny the report that the
Russian armored cruiser Rayan has
been sunk; though they admit that a
shell damaged her engines, which are
being repaired. Russian cruisers come
out of Port Arthur daily. the battle
ships remaining in the harbor. The
oyerdrawn optimism of the officers, it
was asserted here, made it obvious
that their story was rehearsed before
it was given to the public.