Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-02-25
ronr Steamers, Said to Have Been
Mere Hulks, We're Sunk by
The Russians.
PURPOSE TO OBSTRUCT CHANNEL
r,.v We're Discovered by the Retyizan,
Which Opened Fire, Thwarting
Plan of the japanese

,,o,ock Yesterday morning the japanese
made desperate attempt to block the
,,,rance of the inner harbor and dock
with this object four merchant steam
o,s accompanied by torpedo vessels
oare sent from two sides toward the
entrance Of the channel. The move
nent was perceived by the Retyizan.
which was lying in the channel, and
which opened fire Immediately. At the
same time the guns Of the forts on the
Tiger peninsula, Golden hill, and Elec-
,rlc cliff. were turned upon the enemy
and furious connonade ensued, last
lne until 8 In the morning. Then the
firing slackened and became desultory.
The japanese had failed to effect their
purpose mn,
ars living I'm the following positions:
0ne behind Golden hill, one near the
Retylzan, two between the entrance OF
,ho channel and Lao THE Shan penin-
eula. o,,.,..
The cruiser Noyik and Bayan pursued
,he Japanese torpedo ilotilla. 1t is said
that one of the torpedo boats was sunk.
Al about o'clock IN the morning of
Feb, q Japanese squadron OF consld-
cradle size approached Port Arthur and
The Bayan and Novlk were ordered to
face the japanese ships which how
ever. did not open fire and afterwards
steamed away in the direction OF Port
Dalny
dock here.
WE'RE ONLY OLD HULKs.
Paris, Feb, 25.--Additiona details of
the Japanese attempt 20 close the mar
Dor of Port Arthur have been received
from most authoritative quarters. These
say the Japanese sent five or six old
transport hulks, conveyed by torpedo
boats to Port Rrthur with the evident
purpose of sinking the hulks at the en-
trance Of the harbor, The battleshlp
Retylzan discovered their approach and
her fire on them was strongly seconded
by that OF the shore batteries north Oh
Port Arthur. The report ADDS that
two japanese ships were wrecked ana
liz in Tiger bay, that along the shore
another Japanese ship was burned ana
that a fourth lies wrecked on the shore
outside Tiger bay, 1t Is believed that
these wrecks were not warshlps, but
lulks, designed TO be sunk at the en-
trance OF the harbor
The wrecks are said to be at consid-
cradle distance from the harbor en-
trance which remains open.
This report gives no information con-
corning the japanese fleet when Is sald
to have supported the operations
against Port Arthur
COUP PLANNED FOR NIGHT.
81. Petersburg, Feb. 25, LAS p. M
No further details are available To-Day
Of the unsuccessful attempt OF the Jap
anese to bottle up the Russian neet az
Port Arthur by sinking big merchant
men at the mouth of the harbor. The
brief details contained In the official
dispatch indicated that the coup was
planned, according 70 the usual Jap
anese tactics, to take place during the
night that 1t was desperately pushed,
and hacked by eilht torpedo boats,
which continued Citing until day
light, but failed completely. Great
praise Is given 10 the Russian battle
ship Retylzan, VIII oh lay outside the
harbor entrance, for her gallant work
IN beating Off the enemy. Her part in
the action shows that the reports OF
the injuries which she Is said TO have
sustained In the attack Of Feb. s we're
grossly exaggerated, The Official dis
patches do not make clear tho exact
number Of ships sent In for the pur-
pose Of blockading the throa; Of the
hlrbOr, or whether the four vessels de-
siroyed were beached by the IRE from
the shore batteries or by the fire OF
The Retyl2an. Consequently also the un
known additional details 1re expected
from Viceroy AleSieff IN HE course of
the day As he is at Mukden the re-
port Of the commando az Port Arthur
first goes to him ana thence In for
Warded TO the car The report that at
Ter daylight noat'u torpedoes were
seen In the roal't.2l causes anxiety.
According 20 th latest ndvlces the
Japanese fleet sea- rday was still Wis.
lble on the hof.gon,
The news Of Inc japanese repulse was
received l'r' with great rejoicing and
was lo1'l Jpun as partially wlping
out the score against the enemy. The
Official bulletins were given out too late
editorial comment, but the news OF
$40 initial success OF the Russian arms
vas prominently displayed, Not one Of
The newspapers here has yet received
sreclal dispatches giving the news OF
The japanese repulse.
JAPAN AWAITS NEWS.
Toxic, CTucsday), Feb. 23--tDelayed
IN transmsslon)-Advices are hourly
anticipated here OF the third naval en-
sagement which has taken place at
Fort Arthur. II was known that the
neet under command Of Admiral Togo
had been In motion but the nature OF
the operation about TO be undertaken
had not been disclosed TO the navy de-
partment The latter admits antIclpat-
ing Information, but says IL does not
expect to receive any before Wednes-
gay II Is thought here that Admiral
Togo FIRST attacked
IL was known that the feet under
command OF Admiral Togo had been IN
motion, but the nature OF the opera
Won about to be undertaken Ind not
been disclosed 10 the navy department.
The latter admits anticipating lnforma-
llon but says u does not expect to re-
celye any before Wednesday. II IL
thought here that Admiral Togo first
ATTACKED with his torpedo boats and