The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1904-04-06
RUSS TOO QUICK
FOR TIE JAPS
ANOTHER DESPERATE ATTEMPT
TO 1oTTELE UP PORT
ARTHUR FAILS.
FIVE fiRt SHIPS ARE SENT IN
RUSSIAN WARsAlP ToRPEOoEs
LEADING SHIP AND EN-
CAGES ENEMY.
RUSSIAN !. t;IHii OFFERS BAlTit
BUT JAPANESE COMMANDER
REFUSES CHALLENGE AND
SAILS AWAY.
RUSSIAN 4 .A;lRit OFFERS BAlIit

ST. Petersburg. March 20. - Under
cover of darkness yesterday morning
Vice Admiral Togo made another
desperate attempt to bottle up the
Russian fleet in Port Arthur, but he
failed again, and when, after daylight,
Vice Admiral Makaroff steamed out
to give battle the Japanese command
er refused the challenge and sailed
away.
The Japanese practically repeated
the tactics of Feb. "a, by sending in
five fire ships, accompanied by a tor
pedo boat flotilla with the exception
that the fire boats this time We're
armed with Hotchkss guns for the
purpose of keeping off the Russian
torpedo boat destroyers.
Spotted by searehliohts.
The enemy's intention was discov-
cred by means of shore searchlights,
and heavy fire was maintained by
the batteries and the two gunbOats
which guard the entrance of the har-
Dor. The Russian torpedo boat de-
duty, and to the dash and nerve of
her commander, Lieut. Krinizki. is
chiefly due the complete defeat of the
plans of the Japanese. He at once
made straight for the oncoming ships
under hail of fire from the Hotch-
kiss guns and torpedoed the leading
ship, which sheered off, followed by
the others. three of them being
Piled Up on the Shore
under Golden Hill and one under the
lighthouse. The Silna then engaged
the entire six torpedo boats of the
enemy, coming out from terrific
fight with seven killed and her COM
mander and twelve of her compile
ment wounded, but on the Japanese
side only one boats crew was saved.
In addition. according to unofticia!
reports, it is believed the Japanese
lost two torpedo boats. The Japanese
cruisers which supported the attack.
exchanged shots with the battery and
then drew of, after which Admiral
Makarof took a steam launch and
examined the fire ships.
Makaroff Offers Battle.
An hour later the Japanese torpedo
flotilla, followed by Admiral Togos
feet came up from southerly direc-
ton. Just at daybreak Admiral Max
aron, with his fleet, sailed out to en-.
gage the enemy but after the ships
and batteries had fired a few long DIS
lance shots Vice Admiral Togo de-
cided to decline the issue and disap'
peared to the southwark.
The news of the repulse of Vice
Admiral Togo's second attempt tc
block Port Arthur created much re-
ioicine in the Russian capital and
among all classes the sallantry OF the
silna and her commander is the sub
ject of high praise, but above all
The Moral Eject
Of Vice Admiral Makaroff's willing
ness to engage the enemy showing
that he considers himself strong
enough to fight. produced splendid
In high official circles this new ef-
fort to bottle up the Russian fleet is
looked upon as meaning only one
thing, namely. that the Japanese are
preparing for heavy landing OF
troops in the Gulf Of Lao Tung, eth
er at Neuchwang or on the west soast
of the Manchuria neutral zone. to ef
feet which in safety the immobility OF
Pice Admiral Makaroff's fleet is
Absolutely Essential
while the transports are being con
vowed around the southern end of the
peninsula. If the attempt had sue
ceeded it would have required several
DAYS at least to blow up the steam.
ers and clear away the wreckage,
during which time the Japanese
would be assured of non-interference
in carrying out their purposes.
The failure Of the Japanese yester-
day morning may seriously hamper
their plans as the ice in tb, Lao
river is going out, and when tie river
IL free its mouth can b. easily
mined.
The conviction continues to grow
here that the Japanese have conclud-
ed that it would be inadvisable to
make Z
Direct Frontal Attack
on Manchuria from Korea against the
whole Russian army, and that 1t will
be necessary to land a thanking col
umn in the Gulf Of Lao Tung to d.
vide the attention of the Russians
go. --'- A. 's----