The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-06-02
FLEET FIRST DIVIDED
And Then Annihilated, But Not With
out Japanese Loss.

Washington, d. c., May 29.-Ad'
vices received by the Japanese lega.
ton this afternoon from Toxic dis.
sipate whatever doubt existed that
Admiral Rojestvensky divided his
feet before venturing into the Korean
straits 1t established as fact also
the well founded reports that the
Russian squadron has been annihil.
ated, for after detailing the Russian
warships sunk and captured Admiral
Togo informs the home office that up
to this morning he was in hot chase
with his full squadron of the Rus
sian war vessels that were fleeing to-
ward Vladivostok, to escape destruc-
tion. Against such overwhelming odds
there could be no escape.
The brief announcement that a de-
stroyer and torpedo fiotilla made a
night attack Saturday is deemed espe-
cially significant. In the opinion of
naval officers it gives a firmer basil
for the belief that Togo sacrificed his
smaller craft and the lives thereon for
the purpose of at least crippling his
adversary, and rendering sure the
final outcome.
Just how many torpedo boats Japan
has. is not of general knowledge. The
number has been estimated at several
hundred. Exactly what part these
small engines of destruction took in
the great struggle may never be
known, but naval officers here think
it may be reasonably conjectured aft
or the general plans of Togo's ope.
rations are studied.
The brief but significant story as
detailed by Admiral Togo, to Toxic
was received by the Japanese legation
today. 1t announces that the battle
was still in progress when the last
report was sent this morning. The
statement is as follows:
TOGOS STORY.
Toxic, May 29.-Three reports have
been received from Admiral Togo at
the Japanese headquarters. The first
report was received on the morning
of May 9th, and was as follows:
Immediately upon the receipt of
report that the Russian squadron was
in sight, our combined squadron start.
ed for the attack. The weather is
fine today but with heavy seas"
The second report was received the
night of May 9th and reads:
"Our combined squadron attacked
the Russian squadron today, near Ok
inoshima (southeast of Tsoshima) and
defeated 1t, sinking at least four ships
end intiicting heavy damage upon 9th.
Crs. The damage to our ships is insig-
nificant. Our destroyer and torpedo
ftillas delivered an attack after sun
set"
CONTINUED THE PURSUIT.
The third report was received Mon.
day, May 29th and reads:
"The main force of our combined
squadron continued the pursuit since
the 9th and attacked the enemy on
the 28th near Liancourt rocks north
east Of Okinoshima.) Ships consist
ing Of Nicolai I, (battleship) Orel,
(battleship) Senyavin, Aprexine and
Izumurud. The Izumurud fed while
the remaining four vessels surrender
ed. There was no damage to our
ships. According to the statements
Of prisoners. the vessels sunk in the
engagement Of May 9th, were the
Borodino (battleship) Alexander III,
(battleship) Zemchug, and three 9TH
er ships. Rear Admiral Nebogatoff
and about 1000 other Russians were
taken prisoners"
The following are the damages suf.
fered by the enemy in addition to
those given above since the com
mencement of the battle, as reported
by commanders not under immediate
command of Togo and by observation
stations:
RUSSIAN LOSSES.
"Sunk-Admiral Nachimoff, Dimit.
rick Donskoi, Svetlana, Admiral Usa,
kon, kamtchaka, Irutusch and three
destroyers.
Captured - Vladimir Monomach
foundered after capture; one special
service ship, whole name unknown
and one destroyer captured.
Russian losses definitely kn,wn SO
lar as follows:
"Two battleships. one coast defense