New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-28
TOGO DECLINES BATTLE.
Russian Fleet Sails Out-Losses on
Both Sides.


Togo made another desperate attempt TO bottle
Up the Russian feet IN Port Arthur about 2
O'Clock this morning, Just after the moon rose.
but he failed again. and when. after daylight.
vice-AdniraI Makarof steamed out 70 give
battle the japanese commander refused the
challenge. and sailed away.
The Japanese practically repeated the tactics
OF February - by sending IN four stone laden
freships. preceded by a torpedo boat fotlla.
with the exception that the hreships this time
we're armed with Hotchlriss guns for the pur-
pose OF keeping Off the Russian torpedo boat
destroyers.
The euemy's attempt was discovered by means
Of the shore searchHghts and heavy fire
opened from the batteries and from two gun
boats which were guarding the entrance 10
the harbor. The Russian torpedo boat destroyer
snni was outside on scouting duty. and 70 the
dash and nerve Of her commander. Ideutsnaut
Krinizlc. Is chiefly due the complete defeat OF
the plans Of the japanese. He at once made
straight for the orcoming ships. under hail
OF fire from the Hotchkiss guns. and torpedoed
the leading ship. which sheered Off followed by
the others three Of them being piled up on
the shore under Golden HuI and one under the
lighthouse.
ONLY A BOATS CREW SAVED.
The stint then engaged the six torpedo boats
OF the enemy coming out from terrific fight
with seven killed and her commander and
twelve Of her complement wounded. but on the
japanese side only one boats crew was saved.
In addition according TO unofficial reports. It Is
believed that the Japanese lost two torpedo
boats.
The siInrs engines were damaged and shs
went aground. but was later foated and taken
into the harbor.
Internal machines were found on the Jap
anese freships but the Russians cut their con-
Meeting wires before damage was done.
The japanese cruisers which supported the at
tack exchanged shots with the batteries and
then drew off. after which Admiral MakaroT
took steam launch and examined the fire.
ships.
An hour later the Japanese torpedo hotiIla-
followed by vice-Admiral TogO's feet. came up
from a southerly direction. Just at daybreals
Admiral Makaroff with his fleet sailed out 70
engage the enemy. but after the ships and bat
teries had fred a few long distance shots Ad-
rai-a1 Togo decided 70 decline the issue. and
disappeared 10 the southwark.
The following are the Russian Official DIS
patches. the first being from vice-AdnniraI Max
aroff:
I beg most hunbly TO report that at 2 o'clock
this morning the enemy made a second attempt
block the entrance 70 the inner rOadsteaG.
For this purpose they dispatched four large
merchant steamers. conveyed BY six torpedo
boats. to the entrance
The enemy's ships were promptly discovered
by the searChli ghJs and were bOmbarded by ths
batteries and by the guardships Bohr and
Fearing the ereny's ships might break
through lieutenant KrfnizIxf. commanding ths
guard torpedo boat SLIM attacked the enemy
and destroyed the DOW OF the foremost japanese
steamer with torpedo. This steamer turned to.
the right. and was followed by TWO others. with
the result that the three were stranded to the
night OF the entrance a fourth steamer went 70
the right Of the cnemy's ships and likewise sank
70 the side Of the fairway.
The SLIM then battIed with the enemy's six
torpedo boats Engineer Arti1cer Svyeren and
six seamen were killed and the commander and
twelve seamen were wounded.
At daybreak the eneny's battleship ard cruiser
squadrons appeared. and proceeded with the
feet under my charge TO meet the enemy
The second attempt OF the Japanese to block
the entrance 70 Port Arthur has failed. thanks
forces who acted as they did during the first
attempt
TIE naroor remains perfectly clear.
A second telegram to the Emperor from Vice
Admiral MakarOf said:
I respectfully report that. the enemy having
Withdrawn. I returned 10 the harbor with the
fleet.
The torpedo boat destroyer SLIM which
stranded a reef in consequence OF damage
caused 70 her engines by one OF the enerlv Va
shells. was fOated in the course OF the night
and entered the harbOr. thanks to the energy
Of her crew. Her commander. Lieutenant Krin-
no fToIE -,
not quit his post.
on the hreships were internal machines tha
wires connected with which were cut bv Lieu
tenant Kedrom and Ensign PisOudslCy, OF the
irregulars, whom dispatched to this task Thev
boarded one OF the steamers as soon az u