The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-06-02
Superb Disposition of His Fleet Placed Russians Inside a Ring of
 Steel.
COULD NOT BREAK THROUGH
DEsTRoYERS ATTACKED DURING
 WHOLE OF ONE NIGHT.

Russians Made Mistake of Showing
 searchIights Which Clearly Gave
 Japanese the Location of the Ships
 and Brought Success Later-Cruiser
 Izumrud Fetches Up on a Reef and is
 Blown Up by Her Captain-Japanese,
 Losses-Togo's Flagship Suffered the
 Most-Russian Casualties 1000 to
 5000.
 Tokio, Wednesday, May S1-2 p. m.- A Japanese officer who has returned to Sasebo gives the following account of the sea fight off the Tsu Islands:
 At 5:30 o'clock Saturday morning a wireless message reading, ''The enemy's squadron is in sight, reached the naval base. This message was transmitted to all our ships by the flagship, with in structions to get ready for action. Our squadron left their rendezvous anP headed for the eastern channel off Tsu- shima. Our men seemed to be filled with new inspiration and were eager for the long-delayed fight to begin.
 When Tsushima was sighted to the southwest the sea was rough and the torpedo boats were forced to run for the shelter of the island. Our third fight ing squadron, with the Takashiho to the port, reconnoitered the Russian course and at 11.S0 a. m. informed the main squadron by wireless telegraph that the Russian ships were passing into the east channel whereupon our main squadron, changing it's course somewhat to the southward, came in sight of Okinshima at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The third division arrived later and Joined the main squadron. The first and second divisions, accom- panied by the destroyer fiotilla chang ed to westerly course, while the third division and the fourth destroyer fio- tilla headed slightly eastward.
 During the manoeuvre the Russian flagship appeared to the southWard at l:45 o'clock. The Russians steamed up in double column. The fleet was nu- 1narous, but no living being was visible. The Russian ships seemed to be in good order. Our ships hoisted the flag of action, the Mikasa signally, The des- tiny of our empire depends upon this action. You are all expected to do your utnlost.' Our men seemed to silently weigh the significance of this signal
 ..Our first and second divisions turned to the Russians starboard, while the third divisions 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, The first two shots fell short of our line and it was some min- utes 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 Russians against the coast of Kiushiu and they wre obliged to change their course to the east.
 I've so manoeuvred our ships as to have their bows parallel to the north side of the Russian line. The Mikasay of the 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 Russians headed west and we changed our course accordingly. Five ships of our second division con- centrated their fire on the Borodino. Our first division now began firing viz orousIy, proceeding parallel with the Russian line, and as we began to press against the head of the Russian line our third division veered to the Rus- sian rear, thus enveloping their ships.
 'sThe engagement proceeded hotly. Our second division followed a course parallel with the northern side of the Russians and this movement com pleted the envelopment. The Russian ships were seen trying to break through and our destroyer fiotilla inter- cepted their new course. This state of enyelopment continued until the fol- lowing day with the ships at varying distances. Thus enclosed on all sides, the Russians were helpless and power- less to escape the circle. Previous in- structions had been given the destroy CTS and torpedo boats to attack the Russian ships. Following instructions the fifth destroyer fiotilla advanced against Russian ship, upon which the second division had been concentrating It's fire, signally We are going to give the last thrust at them
 "The Russian ship continued to fight and seeing the approaching torpedo boats. directed its fire on them. Un- daunted, our destroyers pressed for ward, the Chitose meatime continu- ing it's fire. The torpedo flotilla arrived ? 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 furi- ously. Our shells were evidently telling on the Russians, who showed signs of confusion. Our fifth torpedo fiotilla, after destroying the Borodino. followed