The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-02-02
SAW BATTLE OF CHEMulpO
BISHOP MOORE GAVE INTEREST.
ING LECTURE AT METHo-
DIST CHURCH.
Spent Four Years in China, Japan and
Korea as Missionary for the
Methodist Church.

what an American Saw at Che
mulpo,' was the subject Of a thrilling
and delightfully."- entertaining lecture
delivered at the First Methodist church
| last night by Bishop David H. Moore
Of Portland, who has lately returned
from the far east, where he was in
charge of missionary work in China,
Japan and Korea for four years.
Bishop Moore arrived in the city
late yesterday afternoon from Spo-
kane. In company with Rev. Henry
Brown and Rev. Robert j. Reid he Wis
tied interesting points about the city.
including the state penitentiary, Fort
Walla Walla and the educational in
situations. Before the lecture last eve-
ming an informal reception in his
honor was held in the church audi
forum.
In his lecture Bishop Moore told Of
his work and experiences in the Orient
from the time he was assigned to mis-
sionary work in the far east until he
returned to the United States, a few
| months ago. The bishop landed in
| work called him to many points of
the Chinese empire and the character
istics of the Chinese, the nature and
condition of affairs in the Celestial
| empire were all graphically related.
Probably his most interesting exper-
| fence, he said,s while in China was a
| "trip up the Yangtse Kiang river, which
he assembled over 1400 miles: The first
500 miles of the stream is navigable
| to the largest ocean-going steamers.
The second stage of 400 miles is made
in steamers of lighter draught cap
tanned by American and English Off
| GERS. The last part of the journey OF
400 miles is made in house boats and
canoes, the stream being very swift
| and dangerous.
: =, Battle, Of Chemulpo.
| The bishop was fortunate in, wit
| Messing the first naval battle between
the. Russian and Japanese fleets. which
| occurred at Chemulpo soon after the
outbreak of war. The bishop took
! passage on the Russian transport Sun
gari, bound for the Korean coast and
although the Japanese warships were
| swarming in those waters. the trans
| port reached Chemulpo without mis-
hap. In the harbor of Chemulpo were
| two Russian warships, the Variag and
| Koreitz. The next day after the ar
| rival of the Sungari fleet OF jap
arese warships was sighted on the
! horizon and a few hours later an order
was conveyed to the Russian ships to
clear the harbor. The bishop said
| that as soon as it became known that
| the Russian ships had been ordered
nut the greatest excitement prevailed
in the town. People rushed to points
Of vantage eager to see the coming con-
| hict. The bishop with friends took
station on a high hill and with the aid
| of a powerful field glass was able to
witness the battle from start to nm
| ish. Describing the destruction OF the
Russian ship the bishop said:
| TT was an inspiring sight to see the
| Russians clear their ships for action
and steam out to almost certain de-
struction, but there was no falterins
or hesitancy. Battleflags flew from
the masts and the ships bands played
inspiring music The battle did not
begin until the Russians had steamed
ont a. couple of miles. The japanese
handled their ships we'll and were able
tn lie off and pound the Variag almost
to nieces. The Koreitz being the
smaller boat was given little attention.
After three hours Of almost incessant
bombardment the two Russian ships
returned slowly to Chemulpo. the
variag with great holes gaping In her
sides and many of her crew dead ana
wounded. The Korietz showed little
| damage. but as there was no escape
for either vessel the Russians decided
to blow up the ships. The Russians
deserted the ships after placing mines
| and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon pow
erful explosions were heard on board
and they slowly sank beneath the
waves. AS soon as the japanese sa"
| that the Russian ships had been de-
| stroyed they disappeared"
Bishop Moore left for his home IN
| Portland last night after the lecture.
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