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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1904)
RUSSIANS BLAME GENEBAL SASSULITCH It Is Believed That He Made Too Strenuous a Stand Along Yalu. REPORT OF BIG LOSSES Two Thousand of the Best Russian Soldiers Were Sacrificed—Had Not Anticipated Such a Plan of Operation. St. Petersburg, May 4.—The inter est of the public in the news of the fighting on the Yalu la at fever heat, esBeelally since the last official report which announced the fighting at Chin Gow was given out. To the general disappointment no further telegrams front General Kuropatkln have been published by the war commission, nor will the censor pass press dispatches wired from the front. The absence of news led to the cir culation of wild rumors. For instance, It was reported that General Sassulitch would be relieved of his command and courtmartlaled for making a too stren uous stand on the right Wank of the Yalu. As a matter of fact, while the war office is surprised at the resistance made by General Sassulitch, a telegram from General Kuropatkln to the em peror on April 26 announced that Sas sulltch. in view of the preparations which tin* Japanese were making to cross the Yalu, had begun to reinforce his troops on the Manchurian bank. Another report says that the war of fice has been informed that the Rus sian casualties numbered 2,000. Should this be true it can be accepted as a certainty that the Russian plan of operations never contemplated such a sacrifice. In view of the cautious advance of the Japanese it is not expected that they will quickly follow up Sassulitch, but" will take a. few days in getting the remainder of their troops and supplies across the river and in clearing the country of Russian detachments in or der that their communications may not be exposed to attack. Russian Story of Operations. St. Petersburg, May 4.—The Asso ciated Press has obtained from the gen eral staff an outline of the operations on the Yalu river during the past week. The Russian, force, including the re serves, was composed of General Kash taHusky's rifle division, General Mlst chenk’s Cossack outposts, and a divi sion of artillery, the whole under Gen eral Sassulitch. Knowledge of geog raphy is essential to a clear under standing. The Russian lines were at Kulien Cheng (or Turenchen) opposite Wiju and Antung, both on the Feng Wang Cheng rbad. A mile north of Kulien Cheng lies the village of Potiet insky. near a tributary of the Litza vena, five miles ud which is Chin Gow. On the opposite bank of the tributary is the village of Litzavena. Opposite Potietinsky stands Housan, with a dominating height; still higher, on the right of the Yalu, is the village of Am blkhe at the confluence of the Alpikhe. The whole course of the Yalu between Ainbikhe and Antung is divided by islands, the largest, Somalinda, facing Kulien Cheng. Another lies between Housan and Sindiagow. The Jupanese forces, it is believed, approximated 100,000 men, of which four divisions, thirteen battalions and fifty-six guns were in action. The Jap anese prepared for crossing the river by posting all iheir available guns, of which the Russians say the Japanese had five times more than they, along the line facing Kulien Cheng and An tung. and also landed from their war ships 4-7 guns. Japanese Artillery Superior. This array of artillery eventually made Kulien Cheng untenable. Under cover of powerful batteries north of Sindiago, the Japanese crossed to Housan, occupying the height As the tatter position would have enabled them to direct a raking Are against the Rus sians at Kulien Cheng General Sassau llteh ordered it to be retaken Friday. This was done, but on Saturday the Japanese under the cover of a battery, reoccupied it, the defenders falling back across the Litzavena and continuing the fight with the Japanese, who were attempting to flank them from Chlngow. The Russian force at Antung and Kulien Cheng had meanwhile retreated to Its second line, a few miles west ward. The whole Russian force en gaged yesterday formed a semi-circle, the horns of which were being gradual ly drawn in preparatory to retiring to a position further west. This was the situation when the last Russian official reports were sent. A member of the staff informed the correspondent of the Associated Press that the issue ultimately turned prob ably upon whether the order to with draw was given at the proper time. A slight delay at a critical moment might have enabled the enemy's vastly su perior artillery to concentrate on the Russian guns, killing horses and gun ners and compelling the abandonment of the guns. But, If so, the Russian plans will not be changed by accidental losses. General Sassulitch would con tinue his retreat, contesting stubbornly a possible Japanese advance along the Feng Wang Cheng road, which runs through a hilly country, crowned with heights and exactly suited to Russian tactics. - BIG THING FOR JAPS. Success in First Great Land Battle Will Help Them Greatly in Point of Prestige. London, May 3.—No Independent ac counts of the fighting on the Yalu river have reached London, and various opin ions are expressed this morning regarding the importance of the Japanese victory. It Is considered in some quarters that it was never the intention of the Russians to hold the right bank of the Yalu, except for tactical purposes, and that the real .struggle has npt yet been reached. All •r'e'fie papers, however, recognize that the . success of the Japanese will greatly en hance their prestige. The Dally Telegraph, In an editorial, takes the rather extreme view of com paring the capture of Kiullen Chong to that of Waterloo and Plevna, and says that the present misfortune Is even more serious, because the Russians have been driven from a fortified position in spite of every advantage conferred on Its de fense by modern weapons. "The fight," the editorial says, "must modify forever the destinies of Europe and Asia." The Dally Mail's New fchwang corre spondent hears that the Russians are ac cumulating great quantities of stores at Tlellng, forty miles north of Mukden, as their principal base of supplies* AN HISTORIC VICTORY. London Military Experts So Regard the Japanese Success at Crossing the Yalu. London, May 4.—“The silence which has hung over the land campaign is broken at last by the news which marks an epoch In the military history of the world" is the sentence by which the Dally Telegram commences an article which continues as follows: “Russia, at the hands of the new power In the far east, has suffered the greatest defeat thas has ever befallen her arms upon Asiatic soil since Yerk man, the Cossack, crossed the Urals. “Japan has jtlerced the Manchurian frontier, shattered General Kuropat kin’s position upon the Yalu at the first blow, and seized one of the strategical keys of the whole military situation. The territory occupied by her adversary is laid open to her in vading armies, and at a moment when 30,000 of the czar's troops are In re treat before the mikado's forces, Russia awakes to the fact that she has equally miscalculated her prospects on land and sea. "This is a great event, but It is prob ably but a prelude to a greater. Since her first repulse before the slopes of Plevna, Russia has known no such re verses as that which has been Inflicted upon her in the struggle for the Yalu, her present misfortune being more ser i< us in every respect, since she failed there before a fortified position, but now has been driven out of one In spite of all the advantage conferred by modern weapons upon her defense.” This view Is not common to all the military critics here. For Instance, an other London morning paper says: "This Is, of course, a brilliant victory for the Japanese arms, but at the same time it must not be forgotten that It has more than once been stated that the Russians never intended to fight a decisive battle on tne Yalu, but that their main line of defense would be further back. One has only to look at the maps of the country and notice the steep hills north of the Yalu which slope down to that river to understand the reason for this. “It is probable that the force on the right bank of the Yalu was Intended merely to hold back the Japanese as long as possible and then fall back on the main body." Similarly the Daily Mall editorially says: “The strategy of the Russians Is dearly for the present to retreat Ap parently no determined stand will be made till the Japanese come near the rallwav, as the Feng Wang Cheng po sition can be outflanked from Taku Shan, and even more seriously men aced If the Japanese should land at New' Chwung." THE RUSSIAN STORY. Withdrawal Rather-Than Defeat, It Is Said—All the Rest Is Ad mitted. St. Petersburg, May 4.—At 2:30 this afternoon the Associated Press Is In formed that beyond the fact of the re treat of the Russians before the over whelming superiority of the Japanese on the Yalu river, no details have been received since the report of General Sussulitch, commander of the second Siberian army corps, on yesterday, of the retirement from Kulien-Cheng to Antung. It is quite possible the loss on both sides in the week's fighting may reach the figures given by the Japanese, as the reserves* were not brought up to support the Russian po sition at Kulien-Cheng, where the fight ing was heaviest. The Russians made a special effort to hold as long as pos sible the heights of Cho-San on the island opposite Kulien Cheng, whence their guns commanded a considerable stretch of the river to the south, but a Japanese battery on he hill above Wiju dominated the position, which the Russians eventually were forced to re linquish, thus losing the key to the river. The entire force on the Yalu, which extended along a front of over thirty miles, with reserve supports fifteen miles back, according to the best in formation obtainable, did not exceed 17,000 men. No confirmation has yet been received of the reported capture of twenty-eight Russian quick firing guns, or of the wounding of General Sussulitch and General Kashtlllnsky. Plan of Russian Withdrawal. The statement that the Russians have fallen back so far as Peng Wang Cheng Is declared to be untrue. The advance has retired and will continue to retire before the main army of the enemy, according to the Russian pro gram: but it will keep in constant touch with the enemy, and skirmishing of a more or less serious character is expected as Gen. Kuroki advances. This is considered absolutely neces sary in order to always know exactly where the main army of the enemy is. The general staff believes Gen. Kuro ki's forward march on Feng Wang Cheng will be accompanied by landings at Tatung Kau at the head of Korean Bay, and not far from the mouth of the Yalu river, and other places along the coast as far as Taku Shan, under protection of warships. The Japanese are expected to try to turn the Rus sian position at Feng Wang Cheng. CAPTURED MANY GUNS Japanese Took Artillery and Machine Guns of Enemy, and Captured » Many Prisoners. Washington, May 4.—The Japanese legation here today received the follow ing official cablegrams from Toklo: “Gen. Kurokl, commanding the first army, reports from Chin Lien Chang that on May 1 the Second and Twelfth divisions and the Imperial guard, form ing the First Army corps, advanced, notwithstanding the stout resistance of the enemy, by three roads, driving the enemy before them, and at 8 p. m. oc cupied the line extending from Antung to Llushiu Kon. The Imperial guards surrounded the enemy on three sides and after a severe fight captured twenty guns, with horses and carri ages, and more than twenty officers and many men. "The general reserve corps advanced by the Llayang road. The enemy was composed of a whole division and the Twenty-second and Twenty-fourth regiments of the Sixth Infantry divi sion of sharpshooters, and Gen. Mis chenko’s cavalry brigade, with about forty guns and eight machine guns. The enemy fled towards Zeng Huang Cheng. Our casualties will not exceed at most 700. Twenty-eight quick-firing guns, large quantities of small arms and ammunition were captured. Our heavy field guns were very effective, and a Russian officer who was taken prisoner says both of the commanders ' of the army corps and division were wounded and that the Russian casu alties exceeded 800. “Admiral Kamlmuras’ fleet arrived at Gen San on the 26th of April with out having effected the Intended bom bardment of Vladivostok, owing to a thick fog continually prevailing, and learning that the Klrau Maru was over due with freight, left the port on the 27th In search of the steamer, and again proceeded near to Vladivostok, but the Incessant fog prevented any further operations and the fleet re turned to Gen Sajj,” UNCLE SAM PAYS FOR HIS CANAL Panama Company Gets Jw0,« 000,000 in Paris and Turns Over Deed IT WILL TAKE MUCH GOLD cxpected That a Conaiderable Drain of tha Yellow Metal Will Follow the Remittance of Amounts to Paris. Washington, May 2.—Uncle Sam has paid the $40,000,000 to the new Panama Canal company and the title to tho canal property rests with the United States. The deeds are In the posses sion of Assistant Attorneys General Day and Russell, who will leave Paris for Washington In a few days. The money wa3 paid to the canal company on the authority of Attorney General Knox by a French syndicate and a draft for the $40,000,000, drawn on the treasury, is now on Its way to New York. This secret and unexpectedly speedy action was taken by President Roose velt’s order to prevent further delay in the transfer through possible court proceedings by the few dissatisfied stockholders of the Panama company. The payment In exchange for the deeds completed the deal In Parts and It 111 thought that the transfer of all the canal company's property on the Isthmus took place today. Major Mar brooke of the engineers' corps, who Is stationed at Colon, was instructed by cable to receive the property In the name of the United States. The rep resentatives of the canal company on the Isthmus were ordered to turn It over to him. The $10,000,000 will be paid to Panama within a few days, probably not later than Monday, and the deal will then be completed. May Drain America or uoia. The president’s haste and the new ar. rangement, by which the New York banks are shut out of active participa tion in the transaction, are likely to result In a heavier drain of gold than has been anticipated. The draft of the Paris syndicate Will specify to whom the money'Is to be paid. Some New York bank may be named as agent or the syndicate may send over one of Its members as a represent ative to direct the exchange. When the draft reaches Secretary Shaw It will not have to go through the ordinary routine or be inquired into and passed on by the auditor. The attorney gen eral will advise that It be paid and that will settle It. The $27,600,000 which has been accum ulated In the New York banks may either be' transferred to the credit of the syndicate^ agent, In which event he will be given a warrant on the New York suptreasury for the remaining $12,600,000, or turned Into the subtreas ury and the agent glv'en a warrant for the whole amount. The agent can then either ship the whole sum In gold to Paris or arrange the transfer by ex change. The Financial Arrangements. Paris, May 2.—Final details of the financial operations involved In the Pa nama payment are almost concluded, the expectation belpg thaj an agree ment will be reached today or tomor row. J. Plerpont Morgan is personally directing the transaction and Indica tions are that he and a number of American financiers will consummate the transfer of funds. It Is Mor gan’s Intention to admit some leading Paris banks to a share in the trans action, But the carrying out of the plan will be essentially In American hands. The Associated Press Is en abled to Indicate from various sources the main features of the payment, as follows: The transfer df $40,000,000 from the United States to Europe will be made so as not to disarrange the money market of either country. For this purpose the total will be divided Into a number of smaller amounts, leaving America at ntervals and thus not caus ing a strain at any one "time. More over It Is pointed out that as the bulk of the payment comes from the treas ury without Its drawing on the banks, there will be no undue strain on the tanks. MAKES FAST TIME. Michigan Central Makes a New Recoru for Railroad Speeding. Detroit, May 2.—Official reports re ceived today show the unprecedented speed of 109.4 miles an hour was made by a Michigan Central train carrying President Ledyard to Chicago Wednes day. The time was made between Brownsville and Springfield. Ont., 6.47 miles, according to a duly verified statement of the train dispatcher. This establishes a world's record. The foregoing claim that a new world’s record has been made Is not borne out by accepted records. The fastest records commonly accepted as authentic are: On the Plant system, from Fleming to Jacksonville, Fla., 6 miles, at rate of 120 miles per heur; March, lMl. On tne New Yofk central, one mile In El second*, or at’ the rate of 112.5 miles per our; May, 1903. On the New York Central, Palmyra to Macedon, 7.29 miles. In 4 minutes, or at the rate of 109.35 miles per hour; Janu ary, 1903. On the Burlington, 2.4 miles from Arlon (o a siding. In 1,20 minutes, or a rate of 98 miles per hour. A NEW YORK FAILURE. Supposedly Strong Firm Goes to th* Wall and Its Chief Partner la Very Sick. New York, May 2.—The deputy sher iff today took possession of the office of Woodend & Co., members of the con solidated stock exchange, on an at tachment for about $5,000. Up to a few days ag/o the firm had extensive wire connections to branches In various cities, and was generally sup posed to be doing a large business. At the homo of W. E. Woodend a physician said he was too 111 to see any one ex cept his physicians. Mr. Woodend haa been prominent at several horse shows. After the attachments Issued today an lnvotuhtary petition In bankruptcy was filed against Wm. E. Woodend, broker, doing business as Wm. E. Woodend & Oo, The petitioning cred itors are the Hadden Rodee company, a Wisconsin corporation. Hearst Carries 6cott. Des Moines, la., April 29.—Scott couiv ty primaries have been carried by Hearst unanimously. This adds twen ty-three delegates to the Hearst list that were entirely unexpected. LAKE TRAFFIC STOPPED No Freight Between Buffalo and Chi* cago, Owing to Trtouble Between Masters and Pilots. Chicago. May 4. —Absolute suspension of freight traltlc on the great lakes be tweeen Buffalo and Chicago was de creed today by the Lake Carriers' asso ciation, according to the T.ibune. The action of the association Is said to have been taken in reply to the de mand of the -seamen for Increased wages. The first knowledge gained by Chi cago shippers of the tying up of lake traffic came during the day In an an nouncement made by the Western Transit company. The company In formed Its patrons that no freight would be accepted for lake transit un til further notice. During the day, ac cording to the Tribune, the following companies, which are connections of eastern and northern railways, took action similar to that of the Western Transit company: Anchor Line, Lehigh Valley Transit company. Union Steamboat company. Canada-Atlantlc company. Mutual Transit company and Rutland Transit company. It Is declared by the Tribune that the determination of the Lake Carriers’ as sociation to refuse the wage scale Of fered by the seamen and to declare a lockout will be made tomorrow, after a meeting now in progress in Cleveland. Buffalo, N. Y., May 3.—The grain ele vators at this port suspended opera •tlons today for an indefinite period, and 200 "Inside" men were thrown out of employment. The causes of the shut down are the late opening of navigation and the deadlock between the Lake Carrier's association and the Masters' and Pilots’ association. SANTA FE STRIKE. Trouble Originating With Machinists Is Spreading. Washington, May 4. -Over 600 ma chinists and a large number of allied workers on the Atchison, Topekn and Santa Fe railroad were reported out on strike up to 5 o’clock yesterday aft ernoon, When the whole striking strength is brought out, embracing not only the machinists, but the Allied Metal Mechanics’ association, boiler makers, blacksmiths, copper workers, helpers, etc., as well, the total number Involved, according io President OiCon nell of the machinists’ union, may ap proximate between 10,000 and 12,000 men. The strike was ordered on instruc tions from headquarters here after the men along the line had voted unani mously in favor of the step. A telegram from John Mulholland, of Toledo, nutional president of (he Al lied Metal Mechanics' association, an nounced thut he has ordered his men to co-operate with the machinists, which means a sympathetic strike from that quarter, embracing probably 1,000 men engaged in semi-skilled labor in the Santa Fe shops. Mr. O’Connell said last night that the men were prepared to continue the strike indefinitely, that they were ask ing only the same working agreement now in operation on other railroads, and a discontinuance of the spotter and detective system, which, he said, Is carried on by the company "to a shameless degree." "We will not tolerate interference. Other railroads must keep their hands off this strike," he said. "The challenge has been thrown down by the company, defying us to a test of strength. We have done everything possible to avoid trouble. The company has been hiring men all along the line and over the country and herding them In camps along the line, slipping them Into the shops and letting our men go. It Is a question of self preservation. "The men have been given strict warning against violence." At the general offices of the railway here it was stated the order to close down was given to every shop town on the Santa Fe system, from Chicago to Albuquerque. It Is estimated that near ly 10,000 men are affected. The trouble arises over the company’s refusal to recognize the union. Fort Madison, la., May 4.—A lockout of Santa Fe machinists at Fort Madison occurred this morning, involving, boil ermakers, blacksmiths and roundhouse men, In all probably 200 men. The company forestalled the strike which was ordered by the international officers of the union. The machine shops were idle today, but the company officers say that men will be put on tomorrow to take the places of the strikers. It is said that the union men are not barred from the shops, but can return, pro vided they sign an agreement. Los Angeles, Cal., May 3.—The In junction order which was issued by Judge Welborn, of the United States district court, last Saturday against the striking Santa Fe machinists, restrain ing them from In any way Interfering with the Santa Fe service, waB served on the men personally today by United States Marshal Osborn and his deputies. General Manager WellB, of the South ern California division, stated today that the general strike situation was quiet. STORM IN COLORADO. Much Damage Has Occurred to Rail road Property by Washouts— Several Feet of Snow. Denver, May 4.—A heavy storm con sisting of rain on the plains and snow In the mountains, has prevailed over nearly the entire state today. Much damage to railroad property and delay by washouts occurred. No accidents are reported, however. Halt and high winds In certain sections played havoc with orchards and gardens. The moist ure will prove of incalculable value to the ranges and agricultural sections as well as for furnishing water for mining. Pueblo, Colo., May 4 —Pueblo and vicinity today were visited by the heav - iest wind, rain and hail storm of the season. Crops In the southern part of the state are reported badly dam aged by hall and the Denver and Rio Grande and Santa Fe tracks between Florence and Pueblo suffered some damage from overllowlng of the Arkan sas river in the lowlands. Traffic on the two railroads was suspended for several hours. Reports from west, east and south are to the effect that the storm was very heavy and did much damage to early gar den truck and fruit. Cripple Creek, Colo., May 3.—The storm which began here on Sunday developed into a blizzard. By noon there was over two feet of snow on the streets of this city, and twice as mu%i in the hills. A gale Is blowing and there are drifts five to seven feet In depth. Electric and stea.n railroads are tied up and business is gen erally suspended. Panama Gets Some Money. New York, May 2.—J. P. Morgan & company received today by special messenger from the state department at Washington a warrant for a $1,000, 000, representing the first instalment of the $10,000,000 due to the Panama republic In connection with the canal payment. RUSSIANS JUBILANT OVER NEW EXPLOITS The Cruise of the Vladivostok Squadron and Massacre of Captives Pleases. IT SHOWS GREAT DARING it. Petersburg Learns a Complete 8tatement of the Facte From Ad miral in Command—Squadron Back to Its Base. Bt. Petersburg, May 2.—Details ot Rear Admiral Hessen's raid show if was entirely successful. The admiral safely brought back his ships to Vladi vostok. after Inflicting material damage to the neemy. The cruise was most daring. The enemy’s squadron was known to be In close proximity, which necessitated the prompt sinking of the transport Klnshlu-Maru. The conduct of the 180 troops In re fusing to surrender, and firing upon the Russians, even while the transport was sinking, evokes unbounded admiration.1 “The Japanese are jealous of our Chemulpo heroes," 1b the poular com-j tnent. At the same time the action of the heroic 130 men did not leave the' Russians an alternative. They were obliged to sink the transport, but mean! of ettcape were left at the disposal of the Japanese. The ability of Admiral feszen’s ships to reach QenSan, 800 miles away, In 22 hours, as they did,! is certain to compel the Japanese to bs' on their guard. < Bt. Petersburg, April 29.—Viceroy Alexleft reports that a Japanese squad ron has been sighted off Vladivostok. SL Petersburg. April 29.—Alexleff's report that the Japanese squadron was off Port Arthur, followed by another announcing that a squadron of Japa-, nest* ships Is In sight oft Vladivostok,: has aroused anxiety. Naval circles are! speculating whether the enemy will, venture to npproaoh Vladivostok at' closer range than Inst time. i There nre persistent rumors of fight ing on the Yalu river but the Asso ciated Press Is Informed that no ser ious engagements have taken place ahd that the fighting has been limited to affairs of outposts, the Russians eon-j testing and harrasslng the JapanesS| advance. FORT THREATENED Japanese Fleets Appear Off Harbors of Both Port Arthur and Vladivostok Causing Anxiety to Russians. St. Petersburg, May £.—Viceroy Alexleff telegrapns under today's date that Japanese ships were sighted six miles oft Port Arthur last night, and' this morning ten Japanese cruisers andi six torpedo boats were seen In Hurt bay, adjacent to Vladivostok. Alexleff's report that a Japanese squadron was off Port Arthur, followed by another announcing that a squadron of Japanese ships was In sight oft Vladivostok aroused anxiety. Naval circles are speculating whether the enemy will venture to approach Vladivostok at a closer range than last time. There are persistent rumors of fight ing on the Yalu river, but the Asso ciated Press Is Informed no serious en gagements have taken place, and that the fighting has been limited to affairs’ of outposts, the Russians contesting and harassing the Japanese advance. 1 THE SQUADRON’S CRUISE Admiral Makes Full Report of Latest Exploits of the Vladivostok Vessels. Vladivostok, May 2.—The squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Yeezen has returned here from Its recent oper ations off the Korean coast. The squadron consisting of the ar mored cruisers Rossla, Rurlk and Gromebol, and the protected cruiser Bogtyr, put to seat at daybreak, April 23. The Rurlk returned the following day; the others proceeded to Gensan, Korea, and hove to off the town, five miles from the entranco to the boy. Ad miral Yeszen sent Into the bay two tor pedo boats. They found the Japanese trading steamer Yo Maru at anchor with a crew of about twenty on board. The latter were ordered ashore, the papers and flag taken possession of, and the steamer sank with a torpedo. There were no signs of troops ashore and the bay was empty; but It was learned that four Japanese torpodoboat destroyers hud put to sea at dawn of the 26th. About 6 o'clock on the even ing of the 27th, when 800 miles out, the Russian squadron sighted a Japanese steamer with war stores on board. Her crew of twenty-seven were placed In safety and the steamer sunk by a pyroxlln cartridge fired by the Gromo bol. The same night, when the squadron was twelve miles off Plaskln, Korea, the large Japanese transport Klnshlu Maru was overhauled. Her commander mistook the Russian for a Japanese squadron and signalled: "I’m bring ing you coal.” The Russian commander promptly signalled In reply: “Stop In stantly." The crew of the transport then rec ognized their mistake and began to lower the boats with great haste and endeavoring to escape, but the Rus sians captured them all. On board the transport were four Hotchkiss guns of 47 millimetres. At the outset It looked as If no one was left on board, but on examination It was found the cabin was locked and barred. Therein the Russians discov ered six Infantry officers, who surren dered without resistance and were taken on board the Rurlk. In another part of the ship 150 In fantry men who refused to surrender were found. Admiral Yeszen, whose vessel was about a quarter of a mile away ordered his men to leave the transport. The Japanese soldiers then opened fire, and wounded a Russian coxswain. Afterwards the transport was sent to the bottom by means of shells. The Japanese on board didn’t cease firing and made no attempt to save themselves, although they had & launch In which they could have left the transport. The fire of the Japanese actually continued until the waves closed over the ship. The transport had board ammunition and 2,000 tons of coal for Admiral Makamura. The prisoners numbered 183, Including 17 officers, one a colonel and another an officer of the general staff. Among the soldiers were many who had worked os artisans at Vladivostok. The prisoners have been sent by train from here to Nlkolsk. It was reported at the time the Russians were return ing to Vladivostok that a Japanese fleet of ten vessels had started for Vladivos tok, but failed to reach the Dort owing to a fog. ----- .""" ■» AN ARTILLERY DUEL Movement* of a Week Led Up to tn® Japanese Crossing and Victory in Manchuria. London, May 4.—General Kurokl's official dispatches specially telegraphed In full from Toklo. give a clear picture of the sequence of events, though the decisive result was not reached until Sunday morning about 9 a. m., the fighting appearing to have been car ried on with only a short intermission ever since Tuesday. On the latter day the guard’s division made a success ful attack on one of the islands In the Yalu In order to enable the bridge to It to be constructed from the main land on the left or Japanese bank, so as to shorten the passage to the further bank. Part of the second division was also placed on this Island to be ready to reinforce the guards as soon as the further bank hr d been taken. A long preliminary artillery duel ac cording to a British general's reading of the dispatches, now seems to have tak-‘ en place, during which the Russians, firing at great ranges, did considerable mischief, both to the works which were being carried on on the island, and on the main The Twelfth division Perils to have been landed at the mouth of the Yalu Friday, the 29th, by defeating a force of Russians which opposed them. At 3 a. m. on Saturday, the bridge having been completed, the guards and the Second division passing from the Island, and the Twelfth di vision Joining them with two regiments of axtillery known as the second field artillery regiment and heavy guns regi ment—a formidable mass of guns.- with nearly 70,000 Infantry—reached their position on the further bank. Saturday’s Advanoe. The advance on Saturday began at 10:40 a .m. and by 11:16 the Russian’s guns had been silenced in the main por tion .though a battery of eight guns which continued to fire on the bridge re-oceupled the attention of the artil lery attached to the guards-dlvlslon for ten mln.utes more, and a further at tempt was made by a mass of Russian artillery to reopen their fire at 12:30. It took fifty minutes to put an end to these operations, which were, however, obviously only preliminary, for It Is re corded that the Japanese losses up to Saturday evening did not exceed two men killed and five officers and twenty two soldiers wounded, so that It must have been a fire fight In which the Japanese were slowly working their way to the front for a decisive stroke, taking careful cover and dispersed over a wide mountain range. Russians in Close Quarters. The Russians appear to have been densely massed, for we are told that . 30,000 of them were concentrated on four miles of ground. On Sunday morning, at dawit, the Russian artil lery fire was completely subdued, every point of vantage was occupied by well trained skirmishing forces of the Japa nese, so that no Russian could show his head above the works without being shot, and every Russian officer who showed himself in order to encourage his men being picked off. Meantime the • fire was being thus kept under. v The Japanese army in increasing number was closing on the doomed "im pregnable defenses." In particular they were creeping around to the north so as to be able to seize the commanding ground for their artillery from whence to enfilade the defenses and throw their terrible shells into the mass of crowded Russians. The final report from General Kuroki gives the rapid end on Sunday. At day break on Sunday morning the artillery opened on Chiu Tien Cheng, and about 8 a. m. tho gins were able to get within decisive range of the place from the high ground on the north. With no guns of the enemy any longer able to reply to them this smashing bombardment was de signed to prepare the way for an infantry assault by shattering the nerves and breaking down the defenses of the help less recipients of this mass of lead. Infantry Finishes Up. By 8:15. when the general artillery bom bardment had lasted for about five hours, and for twenty-live minutes the guns had been pouring in shells from close range, to which there was and could be no reply, the Japanese infantry closed and severe fighting took place for just three-quarters of an hour. That was the time required for the Jap anese to storm the works and the position and to occupy the whole line from end to end. Wo know little a a yet of the losses or captures on either side during those his toric minutes, but evidently the victory was a complete and decisive one as far as tin- number engaged in. it could be. Mr. Spencer Wilkinson, writing in the Morning Post, says: "The direction of tho Japanese attack and the fact that at the\time of the last Japanese telegram the Russian lef.t flank had been turned, places the Russian force on the Yalu In a precarious position, as its ine of communication passes by Chiu Tien Cheng to Feng Whang Cheng, along the great road to Mukden. If the Jap anese can hold the position won yesterday morning and make good their victory tho Russians must retreat westward over the hills and away from the road, an operation which wil not improve their condition.’* SOME HOT QUESTIONS German Socialist Declares That War chips for Russia Are Builcirg in German Yards. Berlin, May 4.—Edward fiernsi in. a member of the Reichstag, r.ey the publication today of a new ruist weekly entitled Das Neue Mon. in.'.s hlatt. Ue prefaces his editoria. coi unm with the following questions: "Is it known to the German govern ment that torpedo boats and destroyers for the Russian government are be.iig built at one of the largest German shipyards? That In order to disguise this breach of neutrality, the several parts of the vessels are exported as half finished manufactures, and put together in Libau, Russia? "That the building of these war . ea sels is so urgent that the work pro. ■ is from a a. m. to 9 p. m.?" ——— Land Batteries and Gunboats. London, May 4.—The Japanese len'i. tion gave out today an official dlsp . h from the admiralty at Tokio reporting the engagement between the Japan .a; warships on the Yalu and the Ru: .run shore batteries. It follows: "The captain of the gunboat Maya •eports that the gunboats Maya ml, fjl and some torpedo boats ascent" l" lie Yalu May X. bombarding the ene my. While they were returning the ■nemy’s artillery suddenly attacked. The latter were silenced after a severe ngagement lasting thirty minutes. The flotilla all returned to Longampo. L'here were no casualties. “Our armed launches reached, 'li ning the same morning, and repr's'd he enemy’s infantry and artidery af’er hirty minutes of sharp tig'.:tiny. Lire was seen rising from the town an1 a latlve says the enemy fled from An ung after setting fire to it.” A Seoul dispatch says after the Jap nese charge which respited in the n - ■ipatton of the Russian lines at Cht’i “ion Cheng the Rnss’-ns fell ba< k in (infusion. The dopant ■ have now se ured a firm hold on the Manchurian, side of the Yalu.