The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 15, 1904, Page 3

THE SAN ‘FRANCISCO CALL MO\TD-\Y FEBR( RY 15, 1904, RUSSIANS CLAIM AMERICANS DIRECT JAPAN D SHIPS HURRYING TROOPS TO THE EAST Russian Mobilization Goes Forward Suc- cessfuily. Japanese Land Army of 19,000 Men at Chemulpo. SY. PETERSBURG, Feb. 15.—Major General Pfilug wires that, according to private advices, the Japenese, after the battle at Chemulpo, landed 19,000 troops. Communication by wireless telegraph has been established with Chemulpo ®nd Chefn by ships stationed between these two places. All 15 quiet at Port Arthur. There is 10 mews of the enemy’s fleet and no confirmation ©of the reported appear- ance of the Japanese ironclads off Tatungkan, but the indications are the €nemy’s scouts are off Inkan. The mobilization of troops is being successfully carried out General Bazilewski, chief engineer, Tepc ‘s that the Port "rthur forts were mot damaged during the bombardment. A telegram from Kharkarovsk says | that General Litevitch has been ap- pointed to the supreme command of the Russian army in Manchuria. Grand Duke Cyril, a cousin of the Czar, and Grand Duke Boris, the Czar's unc’>. are about to proceed to the East American and English women here have begun the preparation of materi- als for the Red Cross Society with just @s great heartiness as the Russian women engaged in the same work. Va- rious committees and sewing circles tha. had been already organized ef- fected a general organization to-day. There is no official confirmation of the rumor from Port Arthur of the landing of Japanese troops at Shanhaikwan. If the rumor should prove to be correct, it will mean that the Japanese are try- ing to get into the rear of the Russians from both flanks, with the object of cutting off communications. In military circles confidence is ex- pressed that the forward movement from Korea will be checked as soon as 1he Russian advance is encountered. The retirement of the families of Russian officials across the Yalu River from Yongampho is Interpreted as an indication: that the news of the first serious land fighting will emanate from this point. The alarm occasioned by the report- ¢ landing of Japanese in Korea ex- tends as far back as Mukden, where the Chinese are said to be in a state of panic. Some of the newspapers here are pro- testing vigorously against the censor- ship of war news. The Novoe Vremya says: “We are mot children; let us hear the worst.™ The wife of Captain Roudnof of the Variag has received a telegram from Viceroy Alexieff saying that her hus- band is alive and unhurt. An account of the injury to the wall #t Port Arthur during the Japanese bymbardment is the sum total of the war news issued officially up to wd_ night. At the almiralty it was said that notification had been received of the sttack on February 11 on twe Jap- anese merchant steamships, the Naka- mura Maru and the Zensho Maru— which vessels were said to have been shelled by four Russian warships and one of them sunk. The admiralty stamps as nonsense the story that the Baltic fleet has been ordered to the Far East, pointing out that the ships are lying at Cronstadt, where they will be ice-bound for the winter. st s RUSSIANS PREPARE FOR AN ATTACK ON KWANGTUNG COAST YINGTSZEU, Manchuria, Feb. 11— The Japanese Consul at Vewchwu.g’ nance. af- | ? Jeft here to-day, transferring the fairs of his consulate to the American Consul. The whole of the Kwangtung coast is in total darkness at night in* preparation for a torpedo and military attack. Viceroy Alexiefl has issued a warning to all shipping to beware of- | a telegraph line north from Seoul. the coast and has forbidden navigation | of the bays at night. ADVERTISEMENTS. 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The Japanese Minister has ad- vised the Emperor of Korea to arrest Yi Yong Ik, who has been practically dictator and who was very friendly to Russia until there was danger of Japanese predomi- Two thousand Russians are re- ported to have arrived at the head- waters of the Yalu River. The Japanese are constructing anile i MINISTER GRISCOM CONFERS WITH THE JAPANESE PREMIER TOKIO, Saturday, Feb. 13.— United States Minister Griscom led upon Premier Komura last ht and an extended conference was held, the nature of which has not been disclosed. It is thought it related to the effort of the pow- ers to obtain a statement of the attitude of Japan toward preserv- ing the entity of China, as has been proposed by Secretary Hay. The situation in the north = of China is exceedingly delicate. The Japanese have legation guards at Peking and Tientsin in close proximity to the guards of the Russian legation and there is danger of a conflict. It is feared last |+ DEMANDS EXPLANATION Il IIW il i lI,N g % ; i i W KHALIN Io h!li ‘ e AKM —— From the mass of conflicting advices regarding the naval and military movements of the Japanese and Russians, the actual positions of only certain of the forces can be gleaned. The main body of Russian troops is still massed along the Yalu River, although detachments may have penetrated into Korea. The Japanese claim to have the Russian Port Arthur fleet bottled up in the harbor, These vessels were believed _to have been icebound until they suddenly appeared off the north- causing much annoyance to the Tokio tactigians. but the Viadivostok squadron is ern coast of Japan, where they sunk a Japanese merchantman and are said to have bombarded a seaport. Tokio reiterates the rumor that three of the Viadivostok cruisers have beén sunk by torpedo boats in Tsugaro Strait, but the report has not been confirmed and is given little credence. When last seen the squadron was west of Tsugaro Strait. communication with Port Arthur. Japan has landed an army of 19, 000 men at Chemulpo, Korea, and transports have disembarked troops at other Korean ports. sources, seemingly authentic, comes news of a Japanese disaster in an attempt to land troops near Port Arthur. Viceroy Alexieff has transferred his headquarters to Harbin, so as to be in more direct From several The Japanese plan of campaign appears to be to put a large army ashore to attack Port Arthur on both flanks, while the fieet engage the Russian \essels and the forts, The main Japanese fleet is believed to be not far from the scene of its recent rlctory. OF LONDON GOVERNMENT Continued From Page 1, Columns 4 and 5. quamted with the condition of international pohtlcs. readmg be- tween the lines, can fully appreciate : ' On Thursday last, owing to serious news received, a coun- cil of war was called, which lasted from 2 till 4 o'clock. In view of possible eventualities it was resolved to place the whole coun- try upon a war footing, s6 as to be able, in case of need, to meet any possible attack from three sides. All guards regiments, with the exception of those forming the First Division, have been ordered to hold themselves in readi- ness for active service. Parties of these have already left for the Far “East and others will follow from day to day. The artillery of the guard also has received orders to move to the front. Very grave news has been received as to coming interna- tional complications and the promotion of seniors in the Artillery School for Cadets is expected momentarily, the marine cadets hav- ing already received promotion. One of the most serious bits of news at this moment is a confirmation of the statement that aboard the Japanese vessels of war attacking Port Ar- thur were a number &f American naval officers. This caused something akin to a feeling of consternation among Russian officers. On Wednesday the Emperor summoned to the Winter Palace all of the officers, even down to subaiterns, of the guards regiments now in St. Peters- burg and addressed them, saying: “As, unfortunately, the country is at war, it is expected the guards will do their duty nobly and share the deprlv-ziona and trials and, it is hoped, the glories of their comrades of the line.” Now comes the important point, which will explain why no publi hag been made of Viceroy Alexeiff’s telegram sentpto you in reterznce ::“tg: damage done to the Japanese ships by the Russian fire. It is this: The Emperor has himself issued, the strongest orders that no news whatsoever be communicated through the headquarters staff. Fur- ther, he is deeply annoyed at the attitude recently adopted by the Russian press of writing upon the political situation.in a way calculated to raise enmity toward Russia in England and also very specially in America. For, instance, the St. Petersburg Gazette has been prohibited (not as generally supposed for publishing false news about the war) because of an accom- panying article highly insulting to England, the Emperor wisely considering it the poorest policy to make bitter enemies at such times as these. 'l’-—————'—’——‘—\q. Forts Mounting Big Guns. CHEFU, Feb. 15.—It is stated that Variag's Bollers Were Useless. NAGASAKI, Feb. 14.—An authentic To make trade cluded in the sphere of operations it will be xmpossrble to prevent disorder and uprisings as a blind for attacks on all foreigners. tnde better. better, make goods better. Schilling’s Best: coffee favoring extract soda Your grocer's; moneyback. The contract for the Ricken tunne] under the Alps has been let for $1,800,000; time, fifty months, L eleven Russian ships were damaged in the recent engagement at Port Arthur. The whole fleet has moved into the in- ner harbor. Torpedo boats remain out- side on scouting duty. Five extra big guns have been mounted on the forts and they are firing at every object sus- pected of being part of the enemy's fleet. , report says that the reason the Variag was unable to escape at Chemulpo was owing tg the poor condition of her hoil- ers, which rendered her unable to steam at a’greater 8peed than eleven | knots. —_——— MERIDEN, Conn., Feb, 14.—The was destroved by fire to-day. nmmgl,l $130,000, Six llnm were burt slightly, sh lm o DALNY IS BOMBARDED : BY JAPANESE WARSHIPS Continued from page 1, columns 6 and 7. GERE LN e SR R ing of February 10 the Japanese occupied Chinghaiwen, a Rus- sian coaling station close to Masampho: A dispatch to the Daily Express “When the Kasaga and Nieshin their temporary English crews. Singapore, but left immediately from Singapore says: left here they proceeded south and met a Nlppon Yosen steamship, which had been assigned to a rendezvous in the Dutch archipelago. red complete Japanese crews and officers to the cruisers and took The steamship transfer- The cruisers then returned to with orders to watch for the Russian volunteer vessels Ekatorinoslav and Veronej.” TOKIO, Saturday, Feb. 13.—The date of the forward movement of the main Japanese army has not been disclosed, but it will probably be de- ferred until after the completion of naval operations. The publication of the number of soldiers at the points of mobilization is still forbidden. The mobilization is progressing with surprising celerity and without confusion. The staff shows a remarkable mastery of detalis. The main raliways are can- celing or curtailing schedules and devoting évery energy to facilitate the movement of troops. The reserves are assembling and occupying the garri- sons vacated by the regulars and this movement. is progressing with the precision of a drilled army. All are immensely eager to take the fleld. Subscriptions hayve been opened for the first hundred million yen war bonds. The subscriptions will close March 10. "It is expected that the issue will be oversubscribed many times. The country is preparing for a long war and seems capable of sustaining itself financially for two years. It possesses vast military and naval stores and excellent home credit. Its soldiers and sailors are ready to give their services free if necessary. —_—-:- W TIENTSIN ADVICES TELL OF BATTLE OFF PORT ARTHUR LONDON, Feb. 15.—The Morning Leader's Tientsin correspondent tele- graphs, under date of Friday: Re- ports haye reached here of further naval action off Port Arthur. Before dawn yesterday two 'Japanese war- ships appeared off the port and opened fire with shells. The Russian batter- jes replied and the Russian squadron moyed out and also opened fire. The Japanese vessels retired, fighting as they went, but one, the name of which is unkpown, was sunk. The Japanese fleet arrived in time to reinforce the remaining vessel, and a general action began, in which the Russian squadron suffered serious damage and was forced to retreat into the harbor. The réports vary in some details. It is believed, however, that several Russian ships are ashore or sunk. e 14.—The Dreyfus finitely set down (fllflfllfl(hm tion beginning February 25 next. RAILROAD BEHIND PORT ARTHUR BLOWN UP BY JAPANESE LONDON, Feb. 15.—The correspond- ent of the Daily Express at Peking in a cablegram dated February 12. re- ports that Viceroy Alexieff is prac- tically isolated, direct communication between Port Arthur and Vladivostok being suspended. He adds that the raflroad behind Port Arthur has been blown up and that 6000 Japanese troops have landed near Dalny. The Deily Mail's Tokio correspond- ent, under date of Febraury 12, uyl that the Japanese warship Amaki captured the German steamship Yol o« hama, which had a cargo, including dynamite, for Port Arthur. The Nagasaki correspondent of the Daily Telegraph expresses the convie- tion that Russia is quite unable to hold the Liaotung Peninsula and that Port Arthur is bound to fall in time, even without an assault. Rl British soldiers with defective eye- sight are now required by the War Department to wear glasses, /N0 NEWS OF RAIDING SQUADRON Whereabouts of Vlad- ivostok Warships Unknown. Japan Confident of Winning Control of the Sea. —_—— TOKIO, Saturday, Feb. 13.— The Vladivostok squadron has not been re- ported to-day. It is unknown whether the squadron returned to Viadivestok or effected a passage into the Paeific. An unverified report says a foreign warship was seen of Maizura naval station. The Japanese are not espe- cially concerned over the naval sit- uation, as they feel confident that they will soon dominate the sea. There is no fear of the Russians in- tercepting the Kasaga and the Nisshin or affecting a junction with the Port Arthur squadron. The Russians possess no naval bases except those at Port Arthur and Vladivostok, and the latter may freeze up and bar the re- | treat of the squadron. Despite Russian assurances mini- mizing the damages sustained by Ad- miral Togo's attack last Tuesday at Port Arthur, the Japanese are cer- tain that the Port Arthur fleet was severely cripplec. Admiral Togo's fleet was not severely damaged and was capable of fighting another battle im- mediately afterward. The battleship Fuji was the most seriously damaged. Withdrawals for repairs from the Japanese fleet will not materially re- duce its fighting strength. Lieutenant Commander Yamanaya. a gallant and promising officer. was the most prominent of those killed on the Japanede side at Port Arthur. catop Gt AMERICAN STEAMSHIP ESCAPES FROM PORT ARTHUR IN STORM P Spectal- Cable to The Call and New York Herald. Copyright, 1004, by the New York Herald Publishing Company. CHEFU, Feb. 14.— The Ameérican steamship Pleiades, which was detained several days at Port Arthur by the Russian authorities, has arrived here, having left quietly during a storm. On Saturday night a part of the Russian fleet came out. The German flagship Sansa has taken on board a number of women refugees, leaving the men, who have been reas- sured and who are proceeding / with their business affairs. The Retvizan is still stranded. CHEFU, Friday, Feb. 12, 6:50 p. m. (delayed in transmission).—Official no- tification has been issued from the Rus- sians that no more merchantmen will be allowed to proceed from Zort Ar- thur. Recent arrivals here report that the Russian Government has bought four Norwegian, two British and one Amet- ican ship for transports. Siberian trains are brln;ing‘full con- signments of reinforcements. The ar- rivals at Irkutsk are estimated at 6000, one-Lalf of which are for Kwangtung and the other one-half for the Yalu. The Japanese intend to lay siege to Port Arthur by sea and land and are now only awaiting reinforcements. CHEFU, Feb. 12, 8:30 p. m. (delayed in transmission).—The Russians are laying mines at the entrance to Dainy and all neutral merchant ships, ten in number, left port, escorted by torpedo boats. The Japanese attack is expected at any moment. eI ALEXIEFF REPORTS LANDING OF JAPAN'S ARMY AT CHEMULRO ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 15, 2:40 a. m.—A communication from Viceroy Alexieff, just re- ceived, confirms the report of the landing of 19,000 Japanese troops at Chemulpo.The Viceroy adds that reports have been re- ceived of attempts to cut the telegraph wires along the Chi- nese Eastern Railway and also to destroy one of the abuttments of the Sungari bridge. These at- tempts, he adds, were immedi- ately detected and decisive meas- ures were taken to guard the railway. e T o RUSSIANS DESTROY THEIR OWN TORPEDO BOATS BY MISTAKE CHEFU, Feb. 15.—A reliable authority says that three Russian torpedo boats have been sunk by guns from the forts. They were mistaken for Japanese vessels. Peah o, W PR NEUTRALITY OF FRANCE. PARIS, Feb. 14.—The French Government has declared its neutralify in connection with the war between Russia and Japan. : PEESRKE LS S Brings Wounded Russians. NAGASAKI, Feb. 14.—The Japanese steamship Genkai Maru has arrived at Sasebo with seven Russian officers and twenty-three men who were wounded in the engagement at Chemulpo. —_—e————— The income of the British postoffice from money in envelopes having no or insufficient address is $30,000 or 336, 000 a day.