Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1904 — PT. ARTHUR FLEET LEAVES HARBOR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PT. ARTHUR FLEET LEAVES HARBOR

Japanese Squadron Pursues and a Big Naval Bat* tie Follows. ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FAILED News of the Affair Is Brought to Chefoo by One of the Czar’s Torpedo-Boats. Fleet Steamed Out of tbe Harbor with All Lights Covered and as Noiselessly as Possible— The Chase. London, Aug. 11. —The Russian fleet escaped from Port Arthur Wednesday morning and attempted to reach the open sea, pursued by tbe Japanese squadron. A naval battle followed which continued all day. v Later—A dispatch to a news agency from Tokio announces definitely that Admiral Togo has frustrated the attempt of the Port Arthur squadron to escape and adds that the Port Arthur forts participated with the warships In the engagement, indicating, if true, that the fighting occurred close to the port. Jap Crniser Reported Sunk. Chefoo, Aug. 1L —It is reported that the Japanese protected cruiser Kasagi was sunk off RouDd island in the recent engagement. The Russian ships before leaving Port Arthur took

on board heavy stores, machinery and materials for ship repairing. The Russian squadron left Port Arthur in response to imperative orders from Vice Admiral Skrydloff. A semiofficial telegram reports that the Russian battleships Pobelda and Retvizan have returned, damaged, to Port Arthur. Three Japanese torpedo-boat destroyers are now outside this harbor watching the Russian tropedo-boat. News Brought to Chefoo. Chefoo, Aug. 11. —News of the Russian squadron’s sensational escape was brought into Chefoo by one of tbe torpedo-boats which, eluding the pursuing fleet in the darkness and making for the coast, under Admiral Withoft’s orders, arrived in Chefoo harbor at 5:30 in the morning. That a desperate attempt would be made by the Russian naval commander to escape capture In the event of the fortress’ fall has been known from the first. The final flight of so large a part of the squadron is accepted as almost a certain indication that the Russians have abandoned all hope of bolding the city. Steal Through the Lines. The escape was made under cover of darkness, according to the refugees on the recently arrived torpedo-boat. Stealing out of the harbor with all lights covered and as noiselessly as possible, tbe fleet passed the Japanese line before they were discovered by the searchlgihts of Admiral Togo’s fleet. Then commenced tbe pursuit. Of the subsequent details the Russian arrivals know nothing. Desiring that news of the escape should reach the commander of the Russian land forces as soon as possible the torpedo-boat was detached, making its escape unobserved by the Japanese, In the heat of the chase after the battleship and cruiser squadron. Raulin Army Hu Fallen Back. London, Aug. 11. —A correspondent of The Daily Mail who visited Biumintin, which is on neutral Chinese territory about thirty miles west of Mukden, cables the following under date of Ang. 10: “There is an enormous garrison at Mukden, reinforcements having arrived very rapidly. There are no Japanese north of the city. A force of some strength lies twenty-five miles to the south, and there is another Japanese army five milest east of Llao-Yang. I learn from a reliable source that the main Russian army has fallen back on ChiuTsu.” Jay* Hare Delayed Tee Loaf. St Petersburg, Aug. 11.—Again the chance of a decisive battle between General Kuropatkin and the commander of the Japanese armies seems to be disappearing. According to a statement issued by the general staff rains are again falling over a wide aree in Manchuria, with the prospect of Impeding operations: but even more important is tbe information reaching the Associated Press from an exceptional source that the Japanese have delayed too' long. General Kuropatkin has now withdrawn the bulk of his army safely north of Llao-Yang, and la still retreating leaving only a strong rear guard line southeast of Llao-Yang to contest the advance when it cornea.

RUSSIAN BATTLESHIP RETVIZAN.