The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-06-08
APPEAL TO
PATRIOTISM
Destiny Of Our Empire Depends On
This Action, You Are Ex>
pected to Do Your Ut
most

/ pected to Do Your Ut
most
| A Japanese officer " no has returned
to Sasebo gives the following account
of the sea fight off the Tsu islands:
"At $50 Saturday morning wire
less message reading: 1.-THE enemy e
squadron is in sight, - reached the ma
val base. This message was trans
mitted to all our ships by the flagship
with instructions to get ready for
action. Our squadron left their rem
devious and headed for the eastern
channel of Tsushima. Our men
seemed to be filled with new inspira-
tion and were eager for the long de.
layed fight to begin.
when the Tsushima was sighted
to the southwest the sea was rough
and the torpedo boats were forced to
run for the shelter of the island
Our third fighting squadron with the
Takashiho to port reconnoitered the
Russian course and at 1880 q. m.
informed the main squadron by WIRE
less telegraph that the Russian ships
were passing to the east channel,
whereupon our main squadron chang.
ing It's course somewhat to the south
ward, came in sight Of Okinshima at
O'Clock in the afternoon. The
third division arrived later and
Joined the main squadron. The first
and second divisions, accompanied by
the destroyer flotilla, changed to y
westerly course while the third di-
vision and the fourth destroyer flo
tilla headed slightly eastward.
During the maneuvre the Russian
flagship appeared to the southward at
1:45 O'Clock. The Russians steamed
up in double column. The fleet was
numerous but no living body was
visible. The Russian ships seemed to
be in good order.
''The destiny of our empire de-
pends upon this action. You all are
expected to do your utmost, - sig.
nailed the Mikasa. The flag of action
was hoisted. Our men seemed to
silently weigh the significance of this
signal:
''Our first and second divisions
turned to the Russians starboard,
while the third division kept in close
touch with the preceding two divi-
slons. With the Japanese ships pro-
ceeding 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 commenced firing.
Then the battle was on with firing
from both Sides. Our destroyers
kept on the port side of the main
squadron and in this formation We
pressed the Russians against the
coast of Kiushiu and they were
obliged to change their course to the
east
We SO maneuvred our ships as to
have their bows paralleled to the
north side of the Russian lines. 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 Borodino was
seen to be on fire. A little later the
Russians headed west and we changed
our course accordingly. Five ships
of our second division concentrated
their fire on the Borodino. Our
first division now began firing vigor-
ously, preceding parallel with the
Russian line and as we began to
press against the head of the Russian
line. our third division veered to the
Russian rear, thus enveloping their
ships.
''The engagement proceeded hotly.
Our second division followed course
parallel with the northern side of the
Russians and in this movement com
pleted the development The Russian
ships were seen trying to break
through and our destroyer fotilla in
terrupted their new course. This
state Of development continued until
the following day, with the ships at
varying distances. Thus enclosed on
all sides, the Russians were helpless
and powerless to escape the circle.
Previous instructions had been given
the destroyers and torpedo boats to
attack the Russian ships. Following
instructions, the fifth destroyer fotilla
advanced against Russian ship upon
which the second division had been