Nebraska Newspapers

    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.