THE WAR.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11876, 25 April 1904, Page 7

THE WAR.

i*» — THE NAVAL BATTLE. ADMIRAL ALEXIEFF'S REPORT. JAPANESE CONCENTRATING AT WIJU. GERMAN LINERS SOLD TO RUSSIA. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 23. Admiral Alexieff reports that Admiral Makaroff, on the night of the 12th inst., until four o'clock next morning, watched from the cruiser Diana the outer roadstead. Lights were seen in the distance. The destroyer Strashni mistook four Japanese destroyers for Russians. They were recognised at dawn. The Strashni fought at close quarters, her commander and most of tlie crew being killed. Admiral Alexieff describes the Bayan's engagement |as an encounter with six cruisers. He adds that the Bayan, on returning, was covered with fragments of shells. Dealing with Admiral Makaroff's sortie, he states that upon sighting nine battleships Admiral Makaroff returned and met the remainder of his squadron in the roadstead and reformed. The Petropaulovsk was heading eastward towards the enemy, when on explosion occurred on the right side, and another more violent under the bridge, causing a high column of green smoke to rise. The foremost funnel and bridge and a turret were thrown up. The vessel heeled over and the poop rose, the screw working in the air surrounded by flames. Tlie ship sank bow downwards. Seven officers and seventy-three men were saved. He attributes the damage to the Pobeda to a mine which exploded on the starboard causing her to list as she re-entered the harbour. He adds that the crews retain their high spirits, and are doing their duty.