The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-01-18
JAP SHIPS IN DRY DOCK
Two Bsttleshtps Known to Be Re-
pairing in Toxic Yard.
TOGO REPORTED IN CAPITAL

Moro Forti6catious Before Port Arthur
Csptured-Outlook For General stoessel
-Criticisms of the Russian Naval Pol
Icy Heard From in St. Petersburg
Newspapers and Public.
Toxic, Japan.-Two battlesbips, the
Mikasa and the S%hikishima. were put
into dry dock in the Sasebo navy yard.
The cruisers Tokiwa, Iwate and ldsu-
ma are in the Yokosuka dry dock, and
three others, names unknown, ere in
the kure yard. The fact that Admiral
Togo's flagship was in dry dock leads
to the inference that the commander of
the Japanese feet has transferred his
flag to one Of the fast light armorcd
cruisers still on duty before Port Ar
thur. It was rumored here that Adj
miral Togo actually was in this city,
and had visited the Emperor, but this
could not be confirmed either in the
Imperial Navy or Wa Department. 1t
might be essential for wal purposes to
suppress the whereabouts OF the Ad-
miral, but it is certain that his battle
ship was put in dry dock.
One bulletin was made public from
the Third Army, which Is operating be-
fore Port Arthur. It announces the
capture Of three small Notifications be-
tween Ruin Mountain and Quail Hill,
directly north of the new town OF Port
Arthur. The attack was made after
midnight, and the bulletin says that
the assaulting forces met with little
resistance in occupying the trenches of
the enemy. The objective point I'M
doubtedly is Quail Hill, and should
General Nogi be able to get his siege
guns on the Notifications at that point
there would be no further refuge for
General Stoessel. He would then have
to sacrifice his entire army or surren-
der.
The possession of the Oriung fort
anG the southerly slopes of Ruin
Mountain make it possible to take
Quail Hill by assault, although I'M
doubtedly the loss Of life would be
enormous. Aside from its W de-
lenses the Russians can protect it by
cross ire from the easterly side of the
Antsze Mountain and the westerly side
of the Notifications Of the Laolui forts:
p. st. Petersburg, Russia.-Ofhcial cir
cles were plainly disturbed by the pub
lication in the Russ Of an article saw
agely attacking the management OF the
navy. The Russ says that Admiral
.Rojestvensky and his $4,000 heroic
comrades in the Baltic feet have had
imposed on them an impossible task.
Their ships, the Russ declared, are I'M
fit to fight. Some Of them are actually
dangerous in a peaceful voyage, and it
is known that several of the torpedo
boats are in a sinking condition.
The old system of %concealing facts"
says the Russ, sis responsible for the
loss of the warships in and about Port
Arthur. They were unfit to fight mod
ern vessels, and their loss has covered
the nation with shame and grief. The
Baltic fleet is not any better fitted. 1t
would be absurd to hide the defects
that can still be repaired in the ships
that remain at Cronstadt and Libau.
We have already criminally wasted
enough of time"
The article in the Russ is a reply to
the open letter of Admiral Birrileff.
Who appealed to the Russians not to
openly criticiSe the conditions OF the
navy.