Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-06-01
RUSSIAN FLEET
ANNIHILATED.
TOGO SMASHES cZAR'S RE-
NAMING SEA POWER.

Decisive Victory for Japanese in Bat
tie In Corean Straits--only Two
Russian Vessels Known to Have
Escaped Toeo's Terrible Blow
Twenty-Five Wsrships Sunk or Cap
tured--RussIau Admiral Wounded
and Probably a Prisoner--Japanese
Suffer Very Slight Loss--Feelins
that Stubborn Russia Must Yield.
The biggest battle ever fought on sea has
resulted in the most complete victory OF
history for the feet OF the mikado. Ihe
long-awaited engagement between Iogo
and Roiestvensky took place 5aturdayi
Sunday and Monday in the Straits OF
Corea, the narrow passage, partly bloeKeo
by islands, that separates Japan from
Corea. of all the Russian ships compos-
ing the formidable feet that had sailed
IL 900 miles to wrest control of the Pacific
from the Japanese and turn the fortunes
of the present war, only one fast protected
cruiser. the Almaz, and one torpedo de-
stroyer, the Grozny, are known TO have
escaped. These reached Vladivostok
Tuesday. All the battleships, the remain
ing cruisers and accompanying vessels
were sunk or captured.
Reports conflict about Roiestyensky. II
Is certain that his flagship, the kniaz
souvaroff. went down early in the engage
ment from a mine explosion or a torpedo
attack. A Russian torpedo boat ran IN
and took the admiral aboard as he was
swimming. II is reported at st. Peters
burg that he reached Yladrgostok on the
Almaz, but Togo, in his official report,
states that the Russian torpedo boat
Biedovy was picked up Saturday evening
having Rojestvensky aboard. Both reports
state that he was badly wounded. Ad-
mlral Nebogaton, who commanded the
Russian reinforcing squadron that lately
Joined the main fleet, was captured
The full story of the battle, or rather
the series of engagements, has not been tod
vet IL appears, however, from oolh the
Russian and Japanese accounts that Iogo
was in waiting with his combined Meet,
comprising probably every aVaiiable SUP
in the Japanese navy, at or near Isu cnah-
mel when, on Saturday morning, the hus-
sian main feet was seen approaching IN
two columns. Roiestvensky had circieu
the island OF Formosa to the eastward,
despatched his colliers and supply ships 10
the saddle islands and boldly made ior
the massage that would, II cleared, leave
him free sea TO Vladivostok. his goal.
But Togo was there, and at once delivered
an attack so terrible that ship after snip
went down under his fire. Several OF the
heavy Russian battleships succumbeo
early. These we're the mainstay OF lht
feet and thereafter II was a running
fight, the Russisns trying to make the
northern passage in detached squadrons or
single ships. Saturday night Togos many
torDedo craft delivered an attack, Win
what effect is unknown. sunday, the
Japanese pursued. and finding hve OF the
eueuvfs ships aground, they captured al
hut one. which fed. Other Russian ships
were overtaken and sunk or captured
Togo reports some 5000 prisoners. AZ
about 1900 Russians were supposed 70 be
enrolled in the fleets crew, the death loss
must be appalling
include any OF his large ships, all Of which
are ON duty. He reports 400 casualties lh
his first division The Russians VINO
reached Nladivostok are certain that they
saw Two Japanese battleships sink and
several cruisers were out OF action Wheh
they shook loose early in the hight.
Admiral Togo reports the foiioWlhg
losses suffered by his enemy
aFollowIng six battleshlps sunk-Prince
Suvaroff, Imperator Alexander III, Boro-
dino, Osliabia, Sissoi- Velika and Navarln
stFollowing five cruisers sunk -
Nakhimoff. DmitrI Donskoi, Vladimir
Monomach. syietlana and Jemtchug.
.sCoast defense ship Admiral oushakon
]. sunk. ,,..,-,
"Two special service ships, kamtchatka
and three destroyers also sunk.
1.-TWO battleships, Orel and lmperatoi
Nicholai l; two coast defense ships, Cen
eral Admiral Apraxine and Admiral Sem
iavin, and one destroyer, Biedovy, cap
tured. o.
:, "Thus the Russians lost altogether (,
:. ships, the aggregate tonnage Thereon
amounting to 153 All tons.H
Although Russian diplomats say thal
Russia viii fight on to the end, feeling
among the Russian people is said to be &C
. rive and open for peace. IL the terms
Japan has to offer are not too onerous, y Y
likely that negotiations Will soon open
JeDan awaits word from the car Presl'
dent Roosevelt has mad conference viii
the Japanese minister, at which ne oneree
to promote peace in any way acceptable t'
both belligerents.
The destruction OF this fleet removes
Russla's hope OF soon turning the scale u
her favor. She has seen two fleets annihi
lated in succession, comprising togethe
t,ar navy. She has NJ