Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-06-30
WAR NOTES.

According to the cable dispatches the
people of Japan were in Frenzy OF
delight" last Saturday over Admiral
Toeo's last victory. The Russian fleet
attempted to escape from Port Arthur
Thursday night, but were detected and
defeated. with the loss of another OF
their battle ships with several hundred
men while other vessels of their fleet
were disabled and driven back into the
port.
Togo was keeping his vessels out OF
sight, and his torpedo boats notified
him by wireless telegraphy that Jhe
Russians were coming just after sun
down. The Russian ships got under
way, under forced draft and started
on dash to the south. Togo's fleet
doomed up on the horizon, and cut OH
the retreat Of the Russian ships into
Port Arthur harbor and the battle was
on. 1t was almost dark when the first
shot was fired Like the sun rising
suddenly out of the sea came the flash
of Pinch gun, the roar awakened the
echos for miles around. In few min
utes the engagement became general.
Dispatches from eyewitness of the
engagement say it was one OF the most
magnificent spectacles of the war.
Taken by surprise it was some minutes
before the Russians got into action, and
then from both squadrons tongues OF
flame belched, followed by deafening
reports which seemed to stir the ocean
to its depth. Both squadrons were IN
motion, maneuvering cautiously for ad-
vantage, describing circles through the
long swell Of the sea and curing forth
torrents of fire at minute intervals As
night advanced search lights were call
ed into play and across the long spec
tral shaft of light which they threw at
intervals darted Kissing shell.
The torpedo boat practice of the Jap
ansse is described as marvellous in its
ingenuity and daring.
The most thrilling gallantry was dis
played. The Russians fought with
courage and desperation born Of repeat
ed defeats, but their gun practice was
bad, which accounts for the trifing
damage which the japanese ships sus-
tanned during the engagement Shells
from the Russian ships constantly ex-
ploded in the air. or in the water, just
too short of the mark, or just beyond
the enemy's ships. Great geysers OF
water spurted up with each Of these
explosions and deep chasms were torn
| in the sea. in one of which an escaping
torpedo boat was almost engulfed.
1t was the torpedo boats of the Jap
anese fleet that inflicted the greatest
damage A torpedo struck the Peres-
Wet midway in the engagement and
five minutes later with roar like the
exploding Of magazine she sank be
meath the waves. A well placed shell
struck the other battleship the name OF
which has not yet been ascertained, and
put her out Of commission. The cruiser
was hit by torpedo and disappeared to
ward Port Arthur, apparently in a
sinking condition. Meanwhile the
smaller guns on the japanese ships were
playing havoc among the torpedo boats
of the enemy.
For more than five hours the battle
lasted. The moon rose over the scene Of
the terrific struggle, and shed blurred
and reddening face amid the smoke and
fame Of the conflict.
Slowly the Russians backed away
from the japanese ships, describing
great loops to keep out of range, and
with difficulty making the entrance tc
Port Arthur.