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Show TOGO'S ATTACK WAS EXPECTED AT TOKiO Government Not Surprised, but Is Anxiously Awaiting1 Details of Battle. TOKIO (Tuesday), Feb. 23. (Delayed In transmission.) Advices are hourly anticipated hero of the third naval engagement en-gagement which has taken placo at Port Arthui-. It was known that the fleet under command of Admiral Togo had been in motion, but the nature of the operation about to be undertaken had not been disclosed to the Navy department. The latter admits-anticipating information, but says It does not expect to receive any before Wednesday. It is thought here that Admiral Togo first attacked with his torpedo boats and then shelled Port Arthur. The opinion expressed by the foreign Ministry here is, however, almost united against the ability of tho Japanese Japa-nese ships to shell tho place without dangerous exposure, to the heavy guris of the shore batteries. The Japanese, however, are confident that the place Is vulnerable at three points on the sen side and in proof of their opinion Is the explosion of a number num-ber of shells In the town on the occasion of the recent night fight. The Japanese once possessed Port Arthur Ar-thur and they have the most complete Information In regard to distances and ranges. A bombardment of the place should prove highly destructive, as It is narrow nar-row and cramped. A few shells thrown over tho hills Into the basin holding the bay and town could not fail to do serious execution. The Japanese shells nre charged with a high explosive and are very effective, and It is believed possible to render the harbor untenable for Russian warships by bombardment, and force them to put to sea and fight in the open. It is thought here that the withdrawal withdraw-al of Admiral Alexleff from Port Arthur Ar-thur and the removal of headquarters and records to Harbin is an admission of the weakness of the place and of its inability to make a sustained defense It is believed that the Japanese intend to make a vigorous onslaught on Port Arthur. Its possession would deprive tho Russians of a naval base and insure in-sure the Japanese a base for future operations ope-rations on the Liao Tung peninsula. |