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,


Over the Russian Fleet, The
Tarpedo Attack was the
Climax of the Battle.
- A special cable dispatch to the New
York Times from Toxic says 1t is nov
possible to write the story OF the bat
tie of the Sea Of Japan and OF tn,
movements uf the belligerent fleet.
preparing for it. From first to las
Admiral Togo never wayered in hi:
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 ir
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.
Roj estvensky apparently reasoned
exactly as Togo anticipated, though
many Of his officers advocated the
northern passage. Some strongly
urged the advisability OF seizng 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 Nebogatoff arrived on May
s, receiving 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 bearing the ar
gnments Of his officers, announced
the intention Of entering the Pacific
thereby gaining the advantage of q
double objective, then OF returning tC
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
perate, steamed out Of Kamranh bay,
Is May Ia, passed Ballintang unobserved
on the. night OF May II, and cohled Of
Niataus, where he stopped a Norwe.
CLAN steamer consigned to a Japanese
firm, and informed the captain tba,
the squadron's destination was Tsus
h1ma, This was for the purpose o1
deceiving Togo, who would naturally
infer that some other destination was
intended. ROjeStvcnsky meant tt
strengthen this inference by delaying
his progress, so that his nonarriva
within a reasonable Lime might sug
geat that the Russians had really
headed for the northern passages, hui
this device did not deceive Togo, whl
remained steadfaSt at TSushima
Meanwhile Rojestvensky had wholly
failed to obtain Trustworthy informa
tion Of Togos whereabouts. The Sc
cret which was so carefully guarded
remained unknown even 10 the ia
panese public to the very end o,
May 25 SIX Russian transports ant
auxiliary cruisers entered Yangt. re
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 q. M. MAJ 81 japanese
scouts lying north OF g lelpart island
reported by wireless teegraphy that
the Russians were drawing up toward
Tsushima, but the fog cancelled the
exact character IF the squadron,
whether it was the main fighting
force or only few weak craft sacriii.
n tO al ln al
OF the Japanese to the south while
Rojestvensky himself passed by the
northern avenues. Tnis question re
NAMED uncertain until noon, whe:
the intense anxiety in Toxic was re
lieved by telegram from Togo an
-s nOuncing that the whole Russian II eel
\Was in sight.
+ Meanwhile Togo pursued his plan
unwaveringly, keeping his principa
{sQuadrons carefully concealed il
Splaces still secret. For the purpose
tof promoting the belief among the
Russians that Tsushima straits were
weakly guarded and drawing then
through the eastern channel he sent
out number of second class ships
which, though slow, carried gups suf
ticiently 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 befor,
entering the channel recalled them
after which tho leat was taken b,
the battleships Imperator Alexander
Navarin and Kniaz Souvarotf Th,
wind now freshening, the sea alread,
rough began to run very high. The
fog began to lift.
Togo sicnaled that the fate of th
empire depended upon this fort, AM
the men must do their utmost. Tn
Russians, still confident, held the
course at uniform speed OF II knots
exchanging desultory fire with th
decoy squadron, which Withdrew t
the northeast.
At p. m. Togo entered the aren
with his best fighting material, dis
tributed in two squadrons Of six ses
sells each, his own squadron consist
ing Of four battleships and the cruise
Nishid and Kasuga Kamimura'
squadron, consisting OF six armoret
cruisers. Togo was steaming at
speed of Ia knots, Kamimura at i