The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-30
ALMOST 20 MONTHS OF war.
JAPS VICTORIOUS on LAND AND
SEA IN EVERY ONE.

SEA IN EVERY ONE.
TOGO struck the First Blow 1t the Pert
Arthur Fleot-Months u Fighting ts
Capture fredericksburg and Muk.
den scenes q Greatest Modern Battles.
Japan broke of diplomatic relations with
Russia on Feb. Z, 1904, after boing con-
yinced that further negotiations regarding
tho integrity Of China In Manohuria and
Corca and respective spheres Of influence
in those countries were useless. Japan
had presented an irreducible minimum
OF her demands, and the long Russian delay
in replying was believed to be for tho pur-
pose Of making further preparations for
the war that was bound to come. There
fore japan decided to strike while the con-
ditions were favorable.
The blow fell next day. Admiral Togo,
In command OF the first Japanese feet.
reached Port Arthur, sent In his torpedo
boats and destroyers, and during the night
and early morning sank the cruiser Pallada
and drove the bsttleships Retvizan and
Tsarevitoh aground In a badly damage
condition Tho Russians were completely
taken by surprise. At the same time
Admiral Uriu with small squadron caught
the Russian cruiser variag and tho gun
boat Korietz in the harbor OF Chemulpo,
Corea. He sent word that the ships must
come outside and fight or be sunk at their
anchorage. The Russians, hopelessly out
numbered. bravely accepted the challenge
and sailed out. They were quickly dam
aged, SO badly that they had to return
To the harbor, where they sank.
n. IN th1,10 oh
no formal declaration was made for some
days. Japan issued to the Powers a state
ment Of her case and q review Of the ne
gotiations that failed. Tho meat Of 1t was
this: -
1T being indispensable to the welfare
and safety Of Japan to maintain the in
dependence and integrity Of Corea and to
safeguard her paramount interests therein,
the Japanese Government finds it impossible
to view with indifference any action
endangering the position Of Corea. Russia,
Notwithstanding her solemn treaty with
China and her repeated assurances to the
Powers continues In occupation OF Man.
churia and has even taken aggressive
measures on Corean territory. Should
Manchuria be annexed to Russia the in
dependence Of Corea would naturally be
impossible
Russia had taken step across the border
into Corea. securing valuable timber con-
cession Ii the Yalu region. Japan realized
the danger then. II she had not before. Ne
sotiations were opened to secure mutual
agreement as to the integrity OF Corea and
OF China in Manchuria. Russia declined to
give any guarantees regarding Manchuria
and demanded the eeta blishment OF q neu-
trail zone in Corea. extending south from
the YaIu River. She declined to establish
o similar neutral zone north OF the river in
Manchuria, and there the negotiations
failed. b..
Russia's statement put all the blame for
the war on Japan, accusing the Mikado's
Government Of treachery in beginning hos
tilities without waiting for the Russian re-
ply to her last diplomatic note and without
. formal declaration OF war. Most experts
on international law agreed that Japan,
having broken o6 diplomatic relations, was
justified in making war at once.
The various Powers issued proclama-
tons OF neutrality, President Roosevelt
Leading of for the United States. Then. at
the su question OF Emperor William Of Ger
many, Secretary OF State Hay proposed to
tHo UclHSCIOu LA U'0huh vi thc o"oAc'
limitation Of the war area to Corea and
Manchuria east Of the Lao River. This
move was designed to keep the rival armies
out Of the rest Of China and keep that
nation out OF the struggle Russia and
Japan agreed to the proposal.
BLOCKADE OF PORT ARTHUR
After his first attack, Admiral Togo
established a blockade Of Port Arthur
Meanwhile four Russian cruisers that had
been stationed at Vladivostok sailed
south, threatening the coast towns OF
northern Japan and sinking Japanese
merchant ship. Admiral Kamimura, with
q second fleet, was sent after these hostile
warships They returned to their home
port
During the last week in February Togo
ATTEMPTED to repeat the trick that made
Hobson famous at Santiago. and with as
little success. Stripped hulks Of merchant
steamers were sent into Port Arthur to be
sunk in the channel. thus bottlins up the
Russian fleet. The garrison was alert this
time, and the fire from the forts drove some
Of the hulks from their assigned positions
and sent them aground before they could
be sunk by the daring crews that took them
IN. The attempt WAS TePcdtou idV0i' oue
never with success. though many lives were
sacrificed. The channel remained open to
the last.
During March and April Admiral Togo
continued to hammer away at Port Arthur
sinking some Of the small warships that
ventured outside and damaging others In
the harbor. The Russians had planted
many mines, which forced the blockading
ships to keep far OF from the mouth Of the
harbor. Making capital out Of this ap-
parent disadvantage. the Japanese dealt
the Russians another heavy blow.
On the morning Of April IS Admiral
Makaroif, commanding the Russian feet,
sailed out Of the harbor. leading the line
With his flagship, the Petropavlovsk. He
vas apparently in pursuit Of small part Of
the blockading feet that had appeared close
BY. The ships proceeded northward along
the coast for several miles, the Japanese
retreating. Then there was terrific ex-
plosion and the Petropavlovsk was hidden
IN pail of smoke. Az this cleared away
she was seen to be sinking. Admiral Max
aroR and IN NJ his of3oers and crew went