The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1905-06-07
TOGO'S BATTLE SIGNAL.
Empire Is at Stake. You are All
Expected to Do Your Utmost.

Russians Steamed UP In Double Col
umn = Japanese Maneuvered Their
Ships SO as to Have Their Bows
Parallel to the North Side Of the
Russian Line.
A Japanese officer gives the follow
hg detailed account of the seafght
off the Tsu islands which resulted in
the destruction of the Russian fleet:
"At $50 Saturday morning wire.
less message reading: 'Enemy's squad
ron IS in sight reached the naval base.
This message was transmitted to all
our ships by the flagship, with lnstruc.
tions to get ready for action and the
squadron left their rendezvous and
headed for the eastern channel of
Tsushima.
During the maneuver the Russian
flagship appeared to the southwark at
LAS o'clock. The Russians steamed
up in double column The fleet was
numerous. but no living being was Wis
ible. The Russian ships seemed to
be in good order. Our ships hoisted
the flag of action, the Mikasa signalling
The destiny of our empire depends
upon this action. You are all expected
to do your utmost
"Our first and second divisions turn
ed TO the Russians starboard, while
the third division kept in close touch
with the preceding two divisions.
With the Japanese ships proceeding In
this order, it was 2:13 o'clock when the
Russians opened fire.
Russian Shots Fell Short.
"The first two shots fell short of
our line and 1t was some minutes later
before we commenced firing. Then
the battle was on with firing from both
sides. Our destroyers kept on the
port side of the main squadron and in
this formation we pressed the Rus
slams against the coast of Kiushiu and
they were obliged to change their
course to the east.
I'VE so maneuvered our ships as to
have their bows paralleled to the north
side of the Russian line. The Mix
asa, of our first division, which had
been leading, changed to the rear Of
the line, while the Kasuga headed the
line. The engagement now became
very fierce. The Borodino was seen
to be on fire. A little later the Rus
slams headed west and we changed
our course accordingly.
Five ships of our second division
concentrated their fire on the Boro-
dino. Our first division now began
firing vigorously, proceeding parallel
with the Russian line, and as we be-
gan to press against the head of the
Russian line our third division veered
to the Russian rear, thus enveloping
their ships.
This state of development continued
until the following day, with the ships
at varying distances.
THUS enclosed on all sides. the Rus
SLAMS were helpless and powerless to
escape the circle. Previous instruc.
tions had been given the destroyers
and torpedo boats to attack the Rus
sian ships. Following instructions,
the fifth destroyer flotilla advanced
against Russian ship upon which the
second division had been concentrate
Ing It's fire, signaling: We are going
to give the last thrust at them
Torpedo Boats Sink Russian Ship.
"The Russian ship continued to
fight and seeing the approaching tor
pedo boats, directed its fire on them.
Undaunted, our destroyers pressed
forward, the Chitose meantime COZ tin.
uing its fire. The torpedo flotilla ar
rived within 200 metres of the Russian
ship and the Shiranus fired the first
shot. Two other torpedo boats fired
one each. The Shiranus received two
shells, but the other boats were not
damaged. The Russian ship was
completely sunk.
"Sundown saw the battle raging fur.
iously. Our SHELLS were evidently
telling on the Russians, who showed
signs of confusion.
After dark all the destroyers flo
tilla, dividing into two squadrons,
proceeded to attack the Russians dur
ing the whole night. The Russians
frustrated the first and second at
tacks with searchlights. A third at
tempt was carefully made and the
Yugiri sank ship of the Borodino
type and also nit others.
"Our ships always kept ahead of the
Russians. The battle was resumed at
. o'clock Sunday morning, IL miles
east of Chiyupyon bay, and lasted all
day. Here the Russians suffered treir
heaviest losses. They seemed unpre.
pared to repel night attacks. During
our first night attack the Russians
showed nine searchlights and frus-
trated the attacks, but clearly gave
us the location of the fleet, which
brought success later"