Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, February 10, 1904, Page 1

' VOLUME 1. NUMBER 248. ‘TWO CRUISERS DESTROYED Japanese Torpedo Boats Destroy Russian Cruis- | ers at Chemulpo Last Night. ' TWO TRANSPORTS CAPTURED ‘ Transports Loaded With Two Thousand Russian Troops Are Reported Captured. R — ~ OFF THE -COAST OF KOREA London, Feb. 10.—The Japanese ministeér here has received # official notification of the destruction of the first class Russian cruiser Variag and the third class pedo boats last night. The Korean coast, a short distance Qoats escaped unharmed. CAPTURE OF TRANSPORTS REPORTED. «~ Tokio, Feb. 10.—Information has been.received here to the effect that Japanase cruisers last ot the Russian volunteer fleet conveying about two thousand troops _ off the Korean coast. e Vo [¢ Paris, Feb. 10~It was =announced; at the French foreign office during the | afternoon that the Russian cruiser Pallade. was sunk in the torpedo at-| {ack made by the Japanese on the Rus-| eian fieet off Port Arthur. The in- juries sustained by the Retvizan and Crarevitch are not known. It was reported on the same author- ity that the cable from Vladivostock has been cut i 5t. Petersburg, Feb. 10.—An offictal] dispateh received here-says that Jap- anese torpedo boats have attacked the Russian squadron in the outer Teads at Port Arthur and that three Russian ships were damaged. Ad- miral Alexief’s official report of the attack by the Japanese is-as follows: o1 most respectfully -inform- your majesty that at g about midnight of Feb. 89 Japanesé torpedo boats made & sudden attack by means of mines; upon~ the Russian squadron in the outer roads of the fortress of Port Arthur, in which the battleships Ret- vizan and Czarevitch and the cruiser Pallada were damaged. - An inspec- i i tion is being made to mscertain the | had been struck by “Whitehead tor- Details are pedoes” they probably have been sunk eharacter of the damage. following for your majesty.” Port Arthur, Feb. 10.—Japanese tor- pedo boats attacked the Russian fleet here during the night and three of the/ Russian ships were badly damaged. I}le Japanese, who thus scored the first success of the war, escaped un- damaged. » In consequence of the attack by the Japanese torpedo boats; martial law has been proclaimed liere. RUSHING WAR PREPARATIONS, Japanese Move Arouses the Russian Officials. St. Petersburg, Feb. 10.—The news that Japan had duplicated her tactics at the opening. of the Chino-Japanese war by a torpedo attack on the Rus- sianships off Port Arthur created in- tense ‘excitement after the bare an- nouncement from Viceroy Alexieff. De- tails are anxiously awaited. Extra editions of the morning papers, print- ed early in the forenoon affer the ap- pearance of the Official Messenger, conveyed the intelligence to the popu- lation of the capital and dispelled any lingering hopes that war could be averted. The czar and his ministers, who had been informed immediately of the re- &eipt of Viceroy Alexieff’s telegram, accepted the gage and prepared to face the reality of war. The czar’s mani- festo declaring a state of war to exist is expected to be issued shortly. Feverish activity reigned at all the ministeries and war - preparations were pushed in all directions. The Russian Red Cross society has gent 2,000 beds to the Far East and Sisters of Mercy are leaving. During February we will give a decorated dinner plate with every $2 purchase— - FREE e e goods on our shelves. cruiser Korctz by Japanese tor- cruisers were destroyed off the from Chemulpo. The torpedo night captured three transports Ll temper OF Ufe people, WOICHD Way indicated in the great personal demon- stration accorded to their majesties at the Imperial Opera House Monday evening, the audience rising and sing- ing “God Save the Czar and Give Him Victory,” was further manifested after ‘the arrival of the news from Port Ar- thur in the crowds of volunteers who besieged the general staff offices: The naval reserves have been called out. The latest returns of Russian war- ships in the Far East total 94, includ- ing 8 battleships, 16 cruisers, 7 gun- boats-and 56 torpedo boat destroyers and torpedo boats. Three more battle- ships and nine torpedo boats are to go to the Far East in the spring. A STAGGERING BLOW. érltlsh Believe Japanese Have Dealt One to Russians. London, ¥eb. 10.—The naval men in ! London regard the result of Japan's first attack with torpedo boats on the Russian fleet off Port Arthur as being a staggering one. They pointed out that Viceroy Alexieff's reference to-- “‘mines” obviously meant ‘torpedoes’ and said that if the Russian vessels or are resting on the mud Port Arthur, in any case hopelessly out of action for a considerable time. | Baron Hayashi says the Japanese | fleet is not likely to blockade Port Ar-| thur. His knowledge of the Japanese naval plans, as tentatively prepared, Jeads him and others here to_believe that the Japanese fleet is now lying between Chefoo and the Yalu river, screening the landing of troops, one .army corps at Fusan and two at Pan- ‘yung, Korea. | Night torpedo attacks by the Jap- anese fleet will, it is believed, be kept up so long as the Russian fleet main- tains its necessarily open position out- side of Port Arthur. This will be done #4n the hope of breaking up the Rus- :sians’ nerve. The troops landing at Penyang will be pushed toward the Manchurian frontier, Those at Fusan will proceed to Seoul. CREATED CONSTERNATION. News of Opening of War Startles g French Officials. Paris, Feb. 10.—The news of the first Japanese attack with torpedo boats on the Russian fleet off Port Ar- thur created consternation here. The officials of the foreign office -were among the first to receive the informa- tion and their advices were similar to those of the St. Petersburg Official Gazette, showing that two Russian battleships and one cruiser were dam- aged and also showing that four tor- pedo boats made the attack. An offi- cial of the foreign office said: o “It is profoundly to be regretted that such a decisive step has been taken, as it terminates the efforts the powers might have made to avert| our Spring Line of Dress Goods, but the recent storms I goods that were due here Tastweek.” actual warfare.” OLEARY = HOWSER Information has been received neic showing that the British government | panter's will issue a declaration of meutrality within a féw days, perhaps immedi- atcly, and that France will take the same course within a day or two. {ne orer comes 100 e, reply Russia intended to send merely reiterated all which Japan consistently objected.” stood, has given official that she will immediately issue a dec- laration of neutrality. ered highly important in view of the possibility of Chinese, impressed by the Japanese success at Port Arthur, Jjoining the Japanese. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 10, 1904. Baron Hayashi added: “I learn on good authority'that the the cardinal points to - China Will Remain Neutral. Paris, Feb. 10.—China, it is under- assurances This is consid- Russlan Mail Steamer Captured. London, Feb. 10.—A dispatch to Telegram company from Shanghui saysg it is ‘credibly reported that t i golin, which left Shanghai Sunday, has | send been captured by the Japanese off | the present resources of the the Russian mail steamer Mon- At-a conference of ministei’s under| gpangtung peninsula. the presidency of M. Loube: Foreign Minister Delcasse communicated the news of the first Japanese r.ttack with torpedo boats on the Russian fleet off Port Arthur and announced that the French minister at Tokio had been in- in Japan. The naval engagement off Port Ar- thur is understood to have inainly oc- cupied the attention of the council of ministers. The impression prevailed that the three Russian ships torpedoed are so disabled as to be unserviceable for the remainder of the war, thus placing the Russian fleet in a state of manifest inferiority. DARING AND - SKILLFUL "MOVE. German Opinion of Japanese Attack at Port Arthur. Berlin, Feb. 10.—Japan’s initial suc- cess in the first attack with torpedo boats on the Russian fleet off Port Arthur produced a deep impression both on the people and military and naval critics here. Groups gathered around the distributors of the “extras” in the streets and read the news'al- most with exclamations of gladness. The comment at the marine depart- ment was that even the temporary disablement of three warships placed the Russians at a great disadvantdge in the future operations. It was add- ed that the torpedoing of the enemy’s vessels lying under powerful land batteries must have been -carrfed out daringly and skillfully. As Viceroy Alexieff did not_mention any Japanese losses in his first dispatch the com- mon talk of the naval officers was that the Japanese have shown that they can handle their ships better than the Russians. THE DAMAGED VESSE|LS. Japs Attacked Three of Russia's Fin- est Ships. New York, Feb. 10.—The Russian| battleship Retvizan was built by the Cramps at Philadelphia. She is of 12.700 -tons-displacement, has 16,000 indicated horsepower and had :a speed of 18 knots per hour. Her armor is of Krupp steel frcm 4 to 10 .inches in! thickness and. her armament consists of four 12-inch guns, twelve 6-inch guns, twenty 3-inch guns and twenty-: six smaller rapid fire guns. The Czarevitch is a battleship —of | 13,110 tons, built in France. In arma-, ment and speed she’about equals the- Retvizan. | The Pallada is a cruiser of 6,630’ tons. She was built in Germany and was completed in 1902.° Her arma- ment consists of six §-inch guns, twen- ty 3-inch guns and eight 1.4-inch guns. Her speed is estimated at-20 knots. BRITISH OFFICER PROTESTS. French Occupying Forts Evacuated by Russians. § London, Feb. 10.—A dispatch to Reuter’s Telegram company trom Tien- tsin says: A French transport with a battalion of troops from Tonquin ig hourly ex- pected at Shanhaikwang, #n the gulf | of Liaotung, to garrison the -forts which are being vacated By the Rus- sians. It is reported- that the tri-color of France was hoisted there during the morning and that the British officer in charge at Shanhaikwang protested against the French occupation. = At present there is only a single sentry guarding the flag. The British commander kere has proceeded to Shanhaikwang. OFFER .COMES TOO LATE. Russia Said to Be Willing to Concede All _Demands. London, Feb. 10.—The Japanese minister, Baron Hayashi, said during the afternoon: “Russia is making desperate efforts, through the various embassies, to have the powers intervene. Russia BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA. SPRING GOODS During the past week we have received partial shipments of Lace and All Overs, Ginghams, Chambries, Waistings, Linen Suitings, Corsets, Hosiery, Gloves, Collars, Trimmings and Men’s Furnishing Goods, Carpets, Draperies'and Shoes. It was our intention to am;ounce at this tim’e the ()])e;;illrr nf have delayed traffic to such an extent that we have not received Spring Go unteer cruiser Tampov sailed during g . The Russian steamers Kieff and structed-to assure the protection of | East Kot o Russian subjects and their interests Xx‘radlv]l‘::kam FrarnssOmhorRar Baee sul, formerly stationed at Dalny, who has just returned here, says that he passed a Japanese fleet going in the | direction of Port Arthur. ! recognized. | operations. | ron can coal and get under way within . Philippine waters throughout the pe- It's rather cold to be talking about packing, marking and placing 1904 : Volunteer Cruiser Salls. Odessa, Feb, 10.—The Russian vol- ‘he day with a full cargo for the Far Japanese Fleet Sighted: Chefoo, Feb. 10—The Japanese con- NOTE TO THE POWERS BECRETARY HAY SEEKS UNITED ACTION UPHOLDING THE IN- TEGRITY OF CHINA. FAYORABLE RESPONSES LOOKED FOR DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES IN WASH- INGTON GREATLY STIRRED UP OVER MATTER. ‘Washington, Feb. 10.— Secretary ‘Hay has addressed an identical note to, a number of European powers to| ascertain-if they-are willing to join in a notice to Russia and Japan that dur-| ing hostilities and thereafter the neu- trality and integrity of China must be Details- of the note are! not obtainable in advance of the re- ceipt of replies. It is known, however, that exchanges already have taken place which justi- fies the state department in expecting | favorable responses to its note. The matter has created a great sensation in diplomatic circles here. It is further learned that the propo- sition of the United States contem- plates & restriction of hostilities and the consequent hardships of war to the smallest possible area. Just what this means is not made clear to the public, but the determination may have the greatest effect upon the struggle between Russia and Japan. It is al- most certain that mneither will be al- lowed to invade China proper, mean- ing by that that they may not, with hostile intent, go. southward below Shanhaikwan, on the border line be- tween Chili and Manchuria. It is a grave question whether or not it will apply also to Korea, which is striving desperately to preserve neutrality and | prevent invasion, but the general oplnion is that it is too late in that cage to do more than to seek to pre- serve Korean independence after the war. TO OBSERVE OPERATIONS. Unltad States Cruiser Squadron to Gc ______to Chinese Waters. ‘Washington, Feb. 16.—Orders will be cabledtv Rear Admiral.Erang, to send his cruiser squadron, consisting of the Alliance, New Orleans, Raleigh and Cincinnati, from Subig bay to some point in Chinese waters yet to be determined to observe the naval 1t is expected the squad- two days. Admiral Evans is expected to keep the battleship squadron in riod of hostilities between Russia and Japan. This decision was reached at the cabinet meeting during the day afer long’ consideration. It has been definitely settled that the cruiser squadron will not go to Port Arthur. | TRt —Admiral Evans is not instructed re-! now is willing to concede anything, but | garding his own movements, but it 18| S New idea fashion sheets for March ready— FREE now ods, but we are busy un- s, Embroideries, Beadings peilevea 1n naval circies tnat ne wuit | transfer his flag to the Albany and proceed northward with the squadron. | TREASURY WILL ASSIST. Sends Money to Baltimore ‘to Meety Demands of Business. Baltimore, Feb. 10.—Despite the le- gal holiday of seven days declared by Governor Warfield the United States sub-treasury opened for business dur- ing the day under the direction of the secretary of the treasury and the building has been converted into a military camp to avert any possible attempt at looting or other disorders. Secretary Shaw and Assistant Treas- | urer ‘A. Lincoln Dryden had a long conference by telephone as a result of which the treasury department will supplies -of -money--to reinforce sub-treas- ury and this money will be added to from time to time to any amount need- ed to meet the demands of the busi- ness interests of Baltimore, so sudden- 1y crippled of banking facilities. FAVORABLE TO BRYAN. Two Decisions Handed Down in Ben- nett Will Case. New Haven, Conn.,, Feb. 10.—In two decisions: handed down during the day Judge Thayer, in the superior tourt, sustains' counsel for William J. Bryaa in certain contentions growing out ot the refusal of the probate court to ad- mit to probate as a part of the will of the late P. S. Bennett the sealed let- ter giving $50,000 to Mr. Bryan. One decision sustains a demurrer entered by counsel for Mr. Bryan to 8 plea in abatement filed in bLehalf of Mrs. Bennett, widow of the testator, from Mr. Bryan's appeal from the pro: bate court’s decision. ‘The other de- cision overrules a motion by counsel for Mrs. Bennett and other helrs to expunge certain portions of the answer of Mr. Bryan to the appeal brought by Mrs. Bennett., REYES GOING TO PARIS. Wants to Be There When Question of Canal Rights Sale Comes Up. New York, Feb, 10.—General Reyes, the newly elected president of Colom- bia, will sail today for Paris.” General Reyes said last night: “I feel it my duty to be present in Paris when the question of the sale of thie rights of the Panama Canal .company to the United States comes before the proper Krench tribunal. To ane-thé _matter Is very clear, The Panama canal company cannot (rans- fer its rights to the United States witltout the consent of Colombia, be- ause its contract entered into with olombia cannot automatically trans- fer itself to Panama province. That province cannot substitute itself for Colombia.” DUE TO DOMESTIC TROUBLES. Philadelphian Kills Wife and Himself. Philadelphia, Feb. 10.—After a quar- rel about domestic matters Coionel E. F. Floorckey, a vetvran of the Civil | war and treasurer of the Cedar Ave- i nue Improvement company, shot and ! killed his wife, Dora, a fashionable dressmaker, known also as Mme. | Floorckey, then fatally wounded him- self. Mrs. Floorckey's death is believed to have been instantaneous and her husband died about two hours after- ward. Prominent BRIEFS IN MERGER SUIT. Additional Documents Cover Transfer of Case, | Washington, Feb. 10.—In accord with | the requirements of the supreme court of the United States, additional briefs | were filed Monday in the merger case i of the state of Minnesota against the Northern Securities company. The briefs cover only the point of removal of the case from the state to the fed- eral courts. NINE PERSONS KILLED DISASTROUS COLLISION OF 800 TRAINS NEAR SAND POINT, ONTARIO. Ottawa, Ont., Feb. 10.—A collision occurred near Sand Point during the day between the Soo train going east | and a westbound Soo train, in which ‘mne persons were kffled and twelve | injured. The dead so far as known are: Engineer Joseph Jacoson, Ex- | press Messengers Robertson and Thompson, News Agent McMullen and five passengers occupying second class car, whose names have not been -as- certained. According to an officlal statement glven out by the Canadian Pacific com- pany the accident was due to the fail- ure of the crew of the westbound train to regard orders to wait at Sand Point for the other train. SITUATION 18 SERIOUS. in Susquehanna..River Evicts Many Familles. Wilkesbarre, Pa., Feb. 10—The Sus- quehanna river began rising here dur- ing the day, after dropping three feet during the night, and the situation is growing serious. Communication with the West Side has been cut off. The water is now twenty-four feet above -low water mark. At Nanticoke the river and Nanticoke creek haye risen so that street car traffic is suspended. At Plymouth 200 families had to leave their homes and 100 silk mill girls were taken from the windows of the factory in boatef . e e The Bemidji Daily Pioneer TEN CF LOSS IS $125,000,000 PER WEEK. JINSURANCE, MEN MAKE ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE DONE BY BAL- TIMORE BLAZE. CONTENTS OF VAULTS UNSCORCHED PAPER VALUED AT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOUND INTACT. NOT A LIFE LOST IN CATASTROPHE GREAT CALAMITY REMARKABLE IN THE ABSENCE OF SERI- OUS ACCIDENTS. Baltimare, Feb. 10.—After a meet- ing of the representatives of insur~ ance companies it was announced that they estimate the loss at $125,000,000, with insurance to the amount of $90,- 000,000. An investigation of the ruins of sev- eral of the banks and trust companies in the destroyed section disclosed the fact that their vaults and contents are absolutely intact. This discovery will enormously reduce the estimated loss- es, revoaling, as it' did, that paper amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in value is unscorched. The aspect immediately assumed a bright- er tone, for it was this phase of the situation that excited the gravest ap- prehensions for the financial life of some of the city's greatest concerns dependued upon the safety of vault con- tents. NOT A LIFE LOST IN DISASIER. Big Baltimore Blaze Unique in One Particular, Baltimore, Feb. 10.—With the great fire which ate up property variously estimated from $76,000,000 to $150,~ 000,006 stowiy-—-burning itself out Bal. face the grave questions of clvic and municipal readjustment, Confronting the mayor and his associates of the city government are the problems of ald, tha accoptance or refusal of gen- erous offers of assistance from every gaection of the country, policing of the vast burned district where lies buried untold treasure in warped vaults and safes and all the hundred minor things that follow a calamity so stu- pendous that it is even yet hardly fully realized. Three regiments of stite militia in- fantry are on duty and Froop A of the state guard also has been called into' service. So thoroughly is the po- licing of the city now systematized that the big force of federal troops ordered here to assist the national guard was not needed and after a con- | ference with Brigadier General Riggs Major General Corbin has returned to New York and it is not probable that a single federal soldier will be ree tained in Baltimore. _Not a Life Lost in Disaster. Probably never before has ‘there been a fire of such magnitude abso- Jutely without loss of life and 8o re- markably free from accidents. The { only person seriously injured was Ja- cob Inglefritz, a volunteer fireman of. | York, Pa. He was unconscious when i taken to the hospital. He soon re- vived, however, and is reported to be suffering only trom a broken leg and minor injuries. A careful round of the hospitals reveals the fact that by | far the greater part of the entries in | the books are simply for “foreign body in the eye.”” In this respect, as i in many others, the great blaze that had the city in its grasp for twenty- seven terror full hours is unique. His- tory affords no parallel to a calamity 80 costly in treasure and so fortunate- ly free from losg of life or limb. Y The day dawned cold and clear and lacking wind. There was a decided fall in temperature during the night and by early morning the full gutters of the fire district and the flooded streets were turned to ice. The cold, however, is not intense enough to cause suffering among the police, sol- diers and firemen on duty. Vast Section Devastated. With the exception of a few build- ings 140 acres of valuable city prop- erty is devastated. During the early morning hours several small fires started among the ruins of the burned buildings. Only debris, however, was Jeft to be destroyed. Of the great region swept by the fire curlously enough no part was de- voted to residences, so the sheltering of homeless is no part of the city's problem. In the fire area are em- braced the financial district, & portion of the wholesale given over to brokers of various kinds and a large shipping district along the wharves. In the wholesale district at the northwestern corner of the fire zone were located many of the whole- sale dry gocds merchants and manu- facturers of clothing, an important Baltimore industry. Adjacent to this was a high class retail district with wost of the principal jewelry, furni- ture and piano establishments. Practically every officé building in the city was destroyed, along with the banks and . /trust companies in the financial district, nearly every one of these being consumed. F timore awoke during the morning to »V district, an area . : 1 } T I