The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-12
BOARDED BY JAPANESE.
Russian Torpedo Boat Seized in the
Harbor of ChefOO.

Chefoo, Aug. 1850 a. NAT
$3.50 this a. m. the Japanese torpedo
boat destroyers Asashio and kasuml,
which entered the harbor under cover
of darkness last night, sent boarding
party against the Russian torpedo boat
destroyer Ryeshitelni which had pre-
viously been diSarmed by the Chinese.
After a fierce fight the boarding party
hoisted the Japanese flag on the Rye
shitelni and towed her out of the har-
bar in a northerly direction OF her
crew of Al, seventeen have been ac-
counted for. Captain SheStakOvsky is
reported killed. Seven swan ashore.
landing near the American consulate.
Some were picked up by sampans and
three, including a lieutenant, were res
cued by a light ship. The Japanese
claim that they sent in a gig to the
Ryeshitelni under a flag of truce a
lieutenant and interpreter who made a
demand that the Russians come out
side and fight. The Russian captain
replied that his ship had been dis
armed, her engines disabled and that
the whole matter was in the hands of
the Chinese. The Japanese were
asked to investigate the disarmament.
The Japanese interpreter claims that
he overheard the Russian captain give
a hurried order in a low tone, the
words not being distinguishabIe to the
interpreter. Immediately following
the captain seized the Japanese lieu
tenant and jumped overheard with
him. dr.
meanwhile the Japanese deStrOyerS ndu
their searchlights turned. on the Russian
ship. From the deck of the lightship OBJ
servers could see this act which was fol-
lowed by the shooting of rifles and sabre
strokes and Russians jumping overheard.
The fighting had lasted ten minutes when
an explosion followed. The explosion
blew away the main bridge, but did not
damage the hull. The Russians by this
time were mostly all overheard. The Jap
aneSe at once hoiSted their flag. Present.
ly searchlight from the Chinese cruiser
Hal Chi disclosed a Chinese cutter along
side the Asashio. 1t remained here only
a minute and then went alongside the
Kasumi. where it stopped an equal length
Hal Chi.
The inaction of the Chinese feet is I'M
explained so far. 1t is believed serious in
the incident. There are unconfirmed
stories in circulation that the Japanese
fired at the Russians when they were IN
the water and that they refused to rescue
any of them.
The disarmament of the Ryeshitelni
was completed last night and her flag was
cheeks of Captain Shestakovsky during
the ceremony. 1t was evident all the pre-
ceding day that the necessity of abandon
ing his ship, which had served him so
well, greatly affected the captain VINO
won conSidera BILE renown while at Port
Arthur 1t is thought that when he dis
cerned the purpose of the japanese ne
gave a hurried order to blow up the ship.
Intending to end his life and that of his
assailants with the life of the ship. one
of the reports in circulation states that
the captain, who was severely wounded.
was rescued and is now being secreted
CAPTAIN was wounded by the Japanese
sailors who were wrestling their neuten-
ant from him
the Russians reached shore safely. 1t
will be some time before this is accu-
rately determined.