The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-06-23
HOW 1T WASDONE.
The Story of the Battle Of the
Sea Of Japan.
HOW ADMIRAL TOGO,
The Japanese Commander, Carefully
Planned and Won Great Victory
Over the Russian Fleet, The
Tarpedo Attack was the
Climax of the Battle.

Tarpedo Attack was the
Climax of the Battle.
% A special cable dispatch to the New
York Times from Toxic says it is now
possible to write the story OF the bat
tie Of the Sea Of Japan and Of the
movements uf the belligerent fleets
preparing for it. From first to last
Admiral Togo never wavered in his
conviction that the Baltic fleet must
choose the Tsushima passage, his ar
gument being that no commander
would attempt to take large squad
ron through the northern straits in
the season Of fogs and at great dis
tance from neutral ports and refuge
for damaged ships. There was also
danger from mines in Tsugaru strait
and SOya strait, whereas no such ap
prehensions need be felt with regard
to Tsushima.
Rojsstvensky apparently reasoned
exactly as Togo anticipate d, though
many OF his officers advocated the
northern passage. Some strongly
urged the advisability OF seizing a
base in Formosa and compelling the
Japanese to come thither to fight.
This question was earnestly discussed
on board the flagship in Kamranh
bay, where Nebogatof arrived on May
5, receiving a tremendous welcome
from the sailors Of the second squad
ron, who drew most favorable omenS
Of ultimate victory from the success
attending the safe voyage OF the two
squadrons, and the junction at a
place thousands of miles from the
European base.
RojestvenskY, after hearing the ar
guments of his officers, announced
the intention Of entering the Pacific,
thereby gaining the advantage Of a
double objective, then OF returning to
the China sea, via the north OF For
mesa, and steering direct for Tsushi-
ma. The decision was welcomed with
acclamation, the officers embracing
and drinking to the success Of the
plan.
Rojestvensky, having allowed nine
days for the third squadron to recu
4 perate, steamed out Of Kamranh bay,
May Ia, passed Ballintang unobserved
I. on. the night OF May II, and conled off
Niataus, where he stopped Norwe-
CLAN steamer consigned to Japanese
firm, and informed the captain tbas
the squadrons destination was Tsus
h1ma, This was for the purpose of
deceiving Togo, who would naturally
infer that some other destination was
intended. Rojestvcnsky meant to
strengthen this Inference by delaying
his progress. so that his nOnarrival
within reasonable time might sug-
gest that the Russians had really
headed for the northern passages, but
this device did not deceive Togo, who
remained stcadfast at Tsushima.
Meanwhile Rojestvensky had wholly
failed to obtain trustworthy informa
'tion of Togos whereaboats. The Sc
cret which was SO carefully guarded
remained unknown even 10 the ia.
panese public to the very end. On
May % six Russian trans ports and
auxiliary cruisers entered Yangt.ze,
which greatly perplexed the public,
but was interpreted by Togo as sure
Indication Of Rojestvensky's presence
in the China sea.
RUSSIAN FLEET SIGHTED.
At $50 a. n. May 81 Japanese
scouts lying north Of g lelpart island
reported by wireless telegraphy that
the Russians were drawing up toward
Tsushima, but the fog cancelled the
exact character Cf the squadron,
whether it was the main fighting
force or only few weak craft sacriti.
ced In order to attract the attention
OF the Japanese to the south while
Rojestvensky himself passed by the
northern avenues. Tnis question re.
mained uncertain until noon, when
the intense anxiety in Toxic was re
lieved by telegram from Togo an.
!; nouncing that the whole Russian fleet
$Was in sight.
= Meanwhile Togo pursued his plan
I unwaveringly, keeping his princip pal
{squadrons carefully concealed in
tplaces still secret For the purpose
lof promoting the belief among the
Russians that Tsushima straits were
weakly guarded and drawing them
through the eastern channel he sent
out number of second class ships,
which, though slow, carried gurs SUI
ficiently heavy tC prevent the enemy
from closing in. The fog helped t.
preserve these vessels, which never.
theless Togo was not unwilling t,
sacrifice On the altar OF his main pur
pose.
Rojestvensky, until in the vicinity
of TSushima, kept his auxiliary cruis
ers in front, but Immediately before
entering the channel recalled them,
after which the lea6 was taken by
the battleships Imperator Alexander,
Nayarin and KHiaz S0uva!otf The
, wind now freshening, the sea already
rough began to run very high. The
fog began to lift.
Togo signaled that the fate Of the
empire depended upon this fort, ant
the men must do their utmost. The
Russians, still confident, held theil
course at uniform speed OF II knots
exchanging desultory fire with the
decoy squadron, which withdrew t(
the northeast.
AT p. m. Togo entered the arena
with his best fighting material, dis
tributed in two squadrons OF six ,es
sells each, his own squadron consist
ing OF four battleships and the cruiser
Nishid and Kasuga; Kamimura's
squadron, consisting OF six armorct
cruisers. Togo was steaming at a
speed of IA knots, Kamlmura at 1t
knots.
at about 1.30 p. No. the fog thinning
Rojestvensky sighted Togo's battle
ships IN single column, line ahead
rounding the north OF Tsushima