The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-02
SEA OF JOPAN. ="
First Detailed Account of the
Great Naval Battle
is Given to the Public by Japan
csc Officers.
RUSSIANS BEGAN IT.
First Shot Was Fired at 2:I3
Saturday P. NJ.
Admiral ROjestVensky's Fleet
Was Speedily Surrounded.
RUSSIANS BEGAN TT.

Toxic, June "A Japanese officer
who has returned to Sacebo gives the
following account of the sea fight off
the Tsu islands
At $50 Saturday morning a wire
less message reading. 1.-THE enemy's
squadron is in sight" reached the
naval base. This message was trans
mitted to all our ships by the flagship.
with Instructions to get ready for
action.
Our squadron left their rendezvous
and headed for the eastern channel
off Tsushima. Our men seemed to be
hlled with new inspiration and were
eager for the long delayed fight to
begin When Tsushima was reached
to the southwest the sea was ro1Igb
and the torpedo boats were forced to
run for the shelter of the island orr
lulId Ilghung squadron with the Taxa
shlno TO port recOnnOitered the Rms
sian course. and at 1880 a. m. in
formed the main squadron by wireless
telegraph that the Russian ships were
passing into the east channel where
upon our main squadron, CHANGING its
course somewhat to the southwark
came In sight of Okinshina at I
clock in the afternoon. The third
division arrived later and Joined the
mann 14UdQLOn- Inc uFSL and gePOnd
divisions, accompanied by the DESTROYS
er hOtilla. changed to westerly
course, While the third division and
the fourth destroyer fotira headed
slightly eastward During the ma
neuVer the Russian flagship aDnearad
to the southwark at 1:45 O'Clock. The
Russians steamed I'D in double col
umn. The fleet was numerous but no
living being was visible. The Russian
ships seemed to be in good order Our
Na# @eTAr
Mikasa signalling, 1.-THE destiny of our
empire depends upon this action You
are all expected to do your utmost. -
Our men seemed to silently weigh the
significance of this signal
Russians Opened It.
Our first and second divisions turn
ed to the Russians starboard. while
the third division kept in close touch
with the preceding two divisions. With
the japanese ships proceeding in this
order, it was 2:13 o'clock when the
Russians opened fire. The first two
shots fell short of our line and it was
. some minutes later before we com
menced firing. Then the battle was or
with firing from both sides. Our de-
stroyers kept on the port side of the
main squadron and in this formation
we pressed the Russians against the
coast of Kiushfu and they were
obliged to change their course to the
east. We also Unanswered our ships
so as to have their bows Daralleled tC
the north side of the Russian line. Sc
the Mikasa of our first division which
had been leading changed to the rear
OF the line, while the Kasuga headed
the line. The engagement now be
came very fierce. The BorOdfno was
seen to be on fire. A little later this
Russians headed west and we changed
our course accordingly. Five ships OF
our second division concentrated their
fire on the Borodino. Our first divi-
sion now began firing vigorously, pro-
ceeding parallel with the Russian
line. and as we began to press against