The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 30, 1904, Page 4

£ THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1904. T0G0 TELLS OF FICAT AT PORT ARTHIR Says the Entrance to the Harbor Is Partly Blocked. One Japanese Naval Com- mander Killed in the Combat. Heavy Russian Fire Boes No Damage to the Attack- ing Flotilla. WASHINGTON, March 29.—The Japanese legation has received from Tokio the following report made by Admiral Togo respecting the second attempt to bottle up the Port Arthur squadron About 3:30 a. m. of the 27th of Marchi the bottling up squadron, com- posed of four ships, escorted by a tor- pedo-boat destroyer flotilla and a tor- reaching the outside r and without minding ghts of the enemy, steered he entrance of the two marine leagues y the entrance the bottling wup squadron was discovered by the en- emy hereupon the shore batteries i guardships showered a hot fire the squadron, but in spite of the ships made their way r roadstead, one after Chiyo Maru, an- ition about half a cable Hill, blew up itself Fukul Maru passe of the Chiyo Maru, b t the moment when her anchor was shot from the enemy’s de- amer rs and sur that position. Hachi-Hiko u anchored to the left of the Fukui Maru and blew rself d sunk. The Yoneyamna M i ding with the stern of on of the enemy’s torpedo-boat destroy ers, passed by the others and chored in the roadste: At this mo- mer ship was shot by a torpedo, was d toward the left side shore | and ‘sunk sideways, NAVAL OFFICER KILLED. “The result of the action being as above described, there is some space left between the Hachi-Hiko and the Yoneyama Maru. It is a matter of regret that the roadstead could not be completely closed up. The casualties were as follows -r officer and two sailors. ously wounded—Sub-lieutenant wounded—Lieutenant Ma- gineer Kurita and six sailors, remainder were safely taken sedo-boat destroyer flo- edo-boat fiotilla. torpedo flotilla the Oa- d the Tsubame, while escort- the bottling-up squadron and at one mile from the entrance of rthur, engaged in a fight with stroyer of the enemy and in- serious damage to her. The s =ship retreated, raising an a2bou Port one seeums holler was broken. When zll the members of the bot- g up squadron had been taken In and our boats withdrew to the out- wide ap- peared one of the enemy's, was at foot of Golden Hill, ut- bie of action. Although both our destroyer flo- tilla and torpedo-boat flotilla were subjected to terrific firing from the enemy until dawn, not the slightest damage was done to any of the boats." DIET HEARS TOGO'S REPORT. of the harbor a ship, which like the ool terly ne TOKIO, March 29.—Admiral Baron Yamamoto, Minister of Mafine, read Vice Admiral Togo’s account of the sixth Japanese attack upon Port Ar- thur in the lower house of the Japan- ese Diet this afternoon. The report was received with tremendous ap- plause. Admiral Yamamoto referred feel- ingly to the heroic death of an officer who was killed in the engagement and dwelt upon the great difficulty of “bottling up” Port Arthur effectively. He said that this project was still far from completion, Continuing, the Minister of Marine declared that the revival of martial spirit at Port Arthur since the arrival there of Vice Admiral Makaroff was apparent and he expressed the hope that the Russians would emerge bold- ly from the harbor and attack the Japanese fieet. The House unanimously adopted a resolution encouraging the Govern- ment, praising the navy and pledging itself to spare no cost in the prosecu- tion of the war. i i B SRS Not Amusing to the Chinese, VLADIVOSTOK, March 29.—There is an amusing sequel to the order of the Chief of Police directing that a keen lookout be kept for Japanese disguised as Koreans or Chinese. Since the order was issued the police seize every Asiatic they see for a pull at his queue in order to ascertain whether it is real or false. — Russia Buys lowa Horses. OSKALOOSA, lowa, March 29— One hundred head of draft horses were sold to an agent of the Russian Government here to-day. One mare brought £250. s ed—Commander Hirose Takeo, | wous column of steam, as if her | IAPAN PLANS REAR ATTACK UPON ENEWY Troops Landed at Chenam- pho Proceed Northward in Open Boats. —_—— Hope to Cut Off the Retreat of Russians South of Yalu River. Famed Imperial Guard of the Mikado Is Going to the Front. Special Cable to The Call and New York Her- ald. Copyright, 1904, by the New York Her- ald Publishing Company CHENAMPHO (via Shanghai), March 29.—Nineteen transports are now here discharging troops and a half-dozen more transports arrive, discharge and | leave daily. Landing continuously, day |and night,>the troops immediately go | either to Pingyang or, In open boats, to | a more northern port, probably the mouth of Chengcheng River. Prince | Kanin, who was educated in the Rus- | sian cavalry school, landed to-day and went on to Pingyang to take charge of the Imperial Guard Cavalry. They are | well mounted, good horsemen and far | superior to the other Japanese cavalry. | The troops landed thus far consist of |the First, Second and Fourth provi- | sional divisions; also the imperial body- | guara Cruising immediately harbor and for ten miles |coast are twenty warships, | small boats, guarding against a rear attack. I am informed that the original plan was to lahd an army at Mesam- pho, in Southern Korea, but the de- struction of the Russian ships at ? Chemulpo permitted the first landing there. Japan's later naval successes | now permit a landing at Chemulpo and possibly even farther north. HOF TO ENTRAP RUSSIANS. There are no Russians now south of the Anju River, and it is estimated that there are not more than 5000 Rus- sians between the Chengcheng and | Yalu rivers, | General Sasaka hopes to land a suf- | | ficient force at the mouth of the Yalu| to cut off the retreat of these tmopn.‘i | Then the Japanese objective will be the | Manchurian city of Pongwangsang, | | sixty miles north of the Yalu, which is | an important stratégic point. The trans-Paclfic liner Hongkohg IMuru, having a2 maximum speed of | nineteen knots, is now lying at Che-| mulpo, fitted as an auxiliary cruiser, | mounting five-inch guns at bow and | stern. Her sides bristle with rapid fire guns and one-pounders, making her a | | formidable commerce destroyer. IMPERIAL GUARD LANDS. CHEMULPO, (via Shanghai), March 29.—The ice has broken in the harbor, permitting the entry of a large fleet | of Japanese transports, chiefly laden | | with supplies. Immediately five boat- | | bridges were thrown over the shallow | | water from the harbor’'s edge and the ianding of the Second Division, other- wise the Imperial Guard, the cream of | |the Japamese army, commenced. Hitherto comparatively few troops have | reached here, but preparations point to an early landing -of a great force. Some of the Imperial Guards have set | out for Anju and others for Pingyang, | where the troops ard massing. All houses at Chemulpo have been commandeered and it was only by the | courtesy of Colonel Matsuishi that 1 established headquarters here. The telegraphs, previously nominally in the control of the Koreans, have now beén taken by the Japanese, whose strict censorship results in the mutilation and delay and refusal of messages. 1 I was warned not to proceed north, where the cavalry has been ordered to stop all correspondents. 1 have been frequently =topped on the street’ with a curt question as to my business. My answer “American newspaper” always finds a4 smiling greeting and an evi- dent desire to fraternize. — CZAR WILL SEND NAVAL EXPERT TO ASSIST MAKAROFF PARIS March 30. — The St. Peters- burg correspondent of the Echo de Paris says: “Ilearn that the Czar intends to send Vice Admiral Chouknin, director of the outside the along the mostly | | | interests really suffer from any of the naval school, to Port Arthur as assist- ant to Vice Aamiral Makaroff.” A Harbin correspondent of the Matin says that General Volkoff has issued a ukase informing the inhabitants of Manchuria and trans-Baikalia that all persons convicted of circulating false news will be punished with the utmost rigor, according to military law. This ukase, the correspondent says, is espe- cially directed against handbills pro- mulgating- false news issued by the Chinese. s ——— British Cruisers on Waiting Orders. VICTORIA, March 29.—It is re- ported that the vessels of the British naval squadron on this station: have received orders from the Admiralty to cancel their quarterly practice fir- ing with the light and heavy guns, re- serve their ammunition gnd hold themselves in readiness for instant or- ders to sail for a distant quarter, pre- sumably Chinese waters. The cruisers therefore are remaining in or very near Esquimalt harbor. — e it 125 rdtt e s oty E‘i‘u.:-u.y. Ity purpose is to es- from wine and dll\ll,.lzz= here e T D and SUMMARY OF THE CALL'S WAR NEWS. The first land engagement of consequence since the war between Russia and Japan was begun has been fought at Chongju, a town northwest of Pingyang, the Japanese base on the western slope of Korea, during the advance toward the Yalu. were brought into play. While the forces engaged.were not large, both infantry and cavalry The Russians made a fierce attack upon the town, which was gallantly held by the Japanese and eventually the Russian comimander withdrew his forces when reinforcements for the The Russian loss, according to an official report to the Czar, was three killed and fifteen wounded, while the Javanese report their loss as two killed and twelve wounded. An interesting review of land operations in Korea develops the fact that, in addition to the armies that face one another on the Yalu, both Russia and Japan have large forces advancing through East- ern Korea, the former descending from the north in two bodies and the latter advancing northward from a town’s defenders appeared In sight. point of debarkation on the eastern coast of the “hermit kingdom.” Besides her Korean armies, Japan has landed many troops on the islands off the coast of Liaotung Peninsula, whence they will ultimately proceed to attempt the capture of Newchwang and an entire army corps is stationed at Japanese sea- ports ready to be dispatched to the mainland when the Tokio tacticians decide upon the most effective point for its operations. slans on the Yalu. It is belleved to be Japan's intention to land a force in the rear of the /Rus- Neither the United States nor Great Britain is disposed to protest against the Russian proclamation of martial law at Newchwang. It is tacitdly admitted thut Newchwang is properly within the war area and that Russia is justified in taking measures for its defense, In view of the intention of the Japanese to at- tempt the capture of the place. Russia’s action also relleves Japan of the embarrassment of attacking a town whose status as neutral or belligerent was in Qoubt. + United States and Other Neutf;I Powers Will Not —_— Pro- test Against Russia's Proclamation of Martial : Law in Newchwang. : TIENTSIN, March 29.—A Frenchman named Kreautlar, an employe of the Russo-Chinese Bank, has been ap- pointed French Consular Agent at Newchwang. He has hoisted the French flag over the bank buildings. it s considered probable that this is a forerunner of a movement to fly the| tricolor over all the Russian Govern- ment buildings at Newchwang. WASHINGTON, March 29.—Minister Conger has cabled the State Depart- ment from Peking that the Russian authorities have declared martial law at Newchwang, and have formally notified all foreigners. Conger's message makes no reference | {to the reported hauling down of for- eign flags by the Russians. The offi- cials here assume that if this has been done it simply means that Russia has assumed the responsibility for the pro- | tection of foreign property belonging | to the b ts, and that no effort will be made to interfere with the consular flags. r does Conger refer to the report- | ed notice from the Russian authorities at Newchwang to the Consuls that; they may no longer exercise consular | jurishdiction and consular functions. especially extraterritorial jurisdiction. It ts said that if any such action has | been taken it will Taise a very serious | question for the Consuls to exercise | their power in this treaty port under | treaty stipulation with a sovereign | power which is not a party to the war. It is not recalled, moreover, that it has been customary in time of war for a belligerent to undertake to deprive Consuls of their functions. HAY ACTS WITH CAUTION. However, the State Department has determined to move with the utmost | circumspection and deliberation in | taking any action or lodging any pro- test which might convey the impres. sion that the United States was in- jecting itself into the present struggle without the most pressing necessity. In fact, it is stated that it is the in- tention to let matters run along for a while, in order to allow actual experi- ence to determine whether America’s N acts taken by either of the belliger- ents in Manchuria as a resuit of these various notices and proclamatighs. Part of this policy is to_refrain from hurrying to their posts €heshire and Davidson, the American Consuls to Mukden and Antung, respectively. Mukden is an armed camp and An- tung is in the very vortex of the war, and it is realized here that it might be embarrassing to the belligerents to have foreign Consuls newly located there, especially as their coming could not be defended an the ground of trade necessity, for there is no trade at pres- ent between these towns and the United States. The Chinese Minister to-day notified Secretary Hay that Prince Pulin, the | Imperial Chinese Minister to the ‘World's Fair, would sail to-morrow for his post from Yokohama. BRITAIN NOT OFFENDED. LONDON, March 29.—The British Government has no intention of pro- testing against the Russian action in declaring martial law at Newchwang. An endeavor will be made in the ordi- nary way and after the cessation of hostilities to secure compensation for such British merchants as are pecu- niarily affected. It has not yet been decided whether the British Consul will remain at Newchwang, but this is not considered of serious importance. It is pointed out at the Foreign Office that neither the United States nor Great Britain ever considered Newchwang neutral, and when Secretary Hay's note was received it was tacitly admitted that Newchwang might quite likely be one of the points of a Japanese attack and the Russians are considered quite within their rights in taking the neces- sary steps to prevent possible Japanese aggression. At the Japanese legation the Rus- sian proclamation of martfal law at Newchwang was believed to be rather favorable to Japan than otherwise, as it eliminates any protest on the part of the other powers in theé event of an attack on Newchwang by Vice Admiral Togo. American, German and other diplomatic circles here agree with the British view that there is no ground for complaint against Rugsia. Several of the afternoon papers, however, bit- terly attack Viceroy Alexieff’s procla- mation and demand that Great Britain and the United States forcibly protest against it. A correspondent of the Times at Newchwang, cabling under yesterday's date, says: “The Russians to-day or- dered the American flag on the cor- respondents’ mess to be hauled down. The proclamation of martial law com- pletely paralyzed the whole commerce of this port.” FRANCE SIDES WITH ALLY. PARIS, March 20.—The remeval by the Russian authorities of British and American flags at Newchwang is caus- ing @ lively discussion in the press here. ‘The general opinion supports Russia’s right to administer Newchwang mili- \ tarily. The Russan embassy points out that the negotiations following the pro- £ress of Secretary Hay's note on China left Manchuria within the zone of mili- tary operations and they say that the substitution of wilitary for civil au- thority followed as a result of a mili- tary regime in Manchuria. t is also pointed Zave notice to the foreign governments before laying torpedoes in the harbor ! of Newchwang and gave notice also of other defensive measures. It is main- tained that, since this brought no pro- test, Russia's right to adopt all the necessary defensive measures is con- ceded. TOKIO WAR BOARD HOPES TO HEM IN RUSSIAN ARMY LONDON, March 23.—3tudents of the military situation in the Far East are becoming convinced that the delay in the Japanese operations, which was due at first to climatic difficulties, is now the result of a desire to permit Rus- sians to complete the mobilization of the main Manchurian army south of Mukden. It is apparent that the Japan- ese have made no effort whatever to prevent this mobilization, although they might at any time have dispatched raiding parties to destroy the railway. Is is expected that when the major- ity of Kuropatkin's troops are in the re- gion between Liaoyang and the Yalu River the Japanese will attempt to cut the Russian communications and try conclusidfis within easy reach of the sea, which is the true base of the Mi- kado’s army. Meanwhile an entire army is ready for action in the northern end of Japan, and can be moved at an hour's notice toward any point where the Mikado's generais be- lieve the Russians are least able to op- pose it. According to all experts, heavy blows must begin to fall within a few days. It is accepted as certain that, wherever or in whatever manner Japan may at- tack, she will reserve ample forces to execute those flanking movements to which the Japanese strategists have from the first pinned great faith. ‘While the situation at sea is r¢garded as less clearly under the complete mas- tery of Admiral Togo, it is not believed that Admiral Makaroff’s vessels are in a position to do much damage. It is expected that they will remain close e.ough to Port Arthur to be in a posi- tion to regreat under the cover of the shore batteries in case of emergency, No Japanese report of the land opera. tions in Korea has been received here and there is much speculation as to the size of the opposing armies, re- garding which there is no reliable in- formation. A correspondent at Russian head- quarters in Mukden telegraphs that ac- cording to reports received there ahout 10,000 Japanese have crossed the river at Chinchangau #nd 5000 have ad- vanced north from Chongju, The Chronicle’s Shanghai corre- spondent asserts that practically the whole Japanese army in Korea. con- sisting of 100,000 men, is concentrated at Pukcheng and Anju, only small de- tachments being left in Southern Korea to maintain communication. A St. Petersburg special says that a Russian division of 25,000 men from Southern Ussuri Is advancing in two columns through Korea.” The main column, coming along the east coast road, reached Pukcheng, 180 miles from Tumen River, and a flanking column, consisting of Cossacks and mountain artillery, coming along the valley of the Tumen River toward its source, has reathed the coast of Lake Tadji; This column reports that the Japanese are advancing north from Tonsan and that their advance guard is encamped at Chongpin; AU HOW FIRST SHOT ; OF THE FAR EAST ., WAR WAS FIRED ST. PETERSBURG, March 29.—Ac- coyding to a letter received from an of- flcer of the Russian gunboat Koreitz, which was destroyed by the Japanese at Chemulpo, his ship technically fired the first shot of the war, but this shot was not fired until the Japanese had fired three torpedoes in an effort to sink the Koreitz, The officer writes that on February 8, without knowing that there had been even a rupture in diplomatic re- lations, the Koreitz left Chemulpo for Port Arthur with dispatches from Pav- loff, the Russian Minister to Korea, and met the Japanese cruiser and tor- pedo squadron while still in neutral waters. Being unsuspicious, the Kor- eitz steamed between the two divisions of the squadron with the tarpauling still covering her guns, when it was noticed that the cruisers were training their guns on the Russian vessel; but it was not until the torpedo boats be- gan to maneuver preparatory to tor- pedoing that those on board the Kor- eitz became really alarmed. It was out that Husalal \ then decided bor. ‘While the Koreitz was going about, the Japanese launched a torpedo which passed astern, and then the captain ordered “quarters” sounded. The Jap- anese launched another torpedo, but it was only when a third torpedo was seen coming directly for the Koreitz's beam that the command was given to open fire, and two shots were fired. The third torpedo sank just before reaching the Koreitz, The officer’s letter also says that when next day the captain of the Brit- ish cruiser Talbot, at the request of the captain of the Russian cruiser Var- iag, asked the Japanese Admiralty why the Koreitz had been attacked, he re- plied that war had been declared at 2 o'clock the day before. to put back into the har- CASSINI NOTIFIES HAY OF THE MINING OF THE LIAO RIVER — . WASHINGTON, * March 20.—Count Cassini, the Russian Embassador, has delivered to the State Department the following notes: “I have the honor, by direction of my Government, to bring to the atten- tion of your Excellency that the Red Cross has fitted up a floating hospital on board a steamer of the Eastern Chinese Railroad Company now at Port Arthur, and that the necessary steps have been taken in all that con- cerns its exterior painting, its crew and equipment in order that the ves- sel may comply with the stipulations of The Hague conference concerning the application to maritime warfare of the principle of the convention of Geneva, of August, 1864.” “By order of my Government I have the honor to bring to the attention of your Excellency that, owing to exist- ing circumstances, the lieutenant of his Majesty in the Far East finds him- self under the neeessity of causing mines to be laid at the mouth of the Liao River, near Yinkow. Neutral merchant vessels may still be freely | admitted into the above named port, on condition that they shall comply with the regulations issued for the pur- pose.” Yinkow is the port of Newchwang, at the mouth of Liao River. SLAV GOVERNMENT SEEKING TO FORCE WAR UPON CHINA S s PEKING, March 29.—Paul Lesser, the Russian Minister, here, is accused of systematically endeavoring to bring about a state of war between China and Russia. He is wearing out the patience of the Chinese by insolent nagging of the Foreign Office with petty complaints and unwarrantable demands. He almost assumes the right to command the Chinese army on the Manchurian frontier. The Min- ister's conduct is attributed partly to personal ill feeling on aeeount of his failure to prevent China opening ports to foreign trade and partly to a desire to alter the balance of prestige as be- tween Russia and Japan in Peking. It is said Lesser believes that if Rus- sia were at liberty to deal China a crushing blow in the vicinity of the great wall and then make a quick at- tack on the capital, it could imme- diately put an end to all danger that China may join its army and fleet with those of Japan and at the same time overthrow Japanese influence in this city. The situation between Russia and China is generally recognized as strained. It is even threatening to become critical. The action of the Russians in arbitrarily Imposing their Jjurisdiction on the neutral port of Newchwang is calculated to make matters worse. FAILS TO SIGHT THE RIVAL FLEETS OFF PORT ARTHUR ? —_— LONDON, March 30. — The Times prints a dispatch from its correspond- ent at WeihaiwP received last night, ‘which says: “I have just returned, after a 190-mile cruise, and I saw nothing of either the Russian or the Japanese fleets, though the watch reported flash signaling at about 4 o'clock this morning. I was from running lose to Port Arthur by a heavy fog; and I i ne that the weather is too thick for the Ji ese to remain close to Port , in view of the strength of the Russians in their torpedo-boat de- stroyers.” e —— ‘Warships Sighted Off Gibraltar. ‘CADIZ, Spain, March 29.—The Rus- sian protected cruiser Aurora and a torpedo-boat have arrived here. A number of warships, believed to be Russian, have been sighted in the Straits of Gibraltar. . S e e R e b S T PSSR T R AT RS T Sl i B S S i SO 5 RTINS FOES ARMIES KEPT APART BY A RIVER Russiau_né n Force North and Japanese South of the Chengcheng. Enormous Additions to the Slav Forces on Korean Frontier. Rebellion in Hermit King- dom Will Follow Vietory by Kuropatkin. Special Cable to The Call and New York Her- ald. Copyright, 1904, byghe New York Her- ald Publishing 'Company PINGYANG (via Shanghai), March 29.—The Chengcheng River at pres- ent is the line dividing the Japanese and Russian forces. Anju is held in force by 1500 Japanese, who are be- ing continually reinforced from Ping- vang and, latterly, also from Che- nampho. The latter city is being strengthened as part of the Japanese scheme to offer a determined resist- ance in the event of a forced retreat. Similarly all strategical points have been fortified -as the advance pro- Bresses. The Pingyang walls and gates have been fortified. On the hills overlook- ing the eity the Japanese have mount- ed guns. The work has been in prog- ress for the last five years, disguised army officers and other spies having | been busy, so that now the Japanese advance with a knowledge of all nec- essary points in the strategical scheme and these are now being quietly and effectively occupied. The territcry north of Chengcheng River is still Russian. The main routes are filled with cavalry. Each party is accompanied by an intelligence officer, who is busy sketching and surveying. The present military delay, while val- uable to the Japanese, is materially useful to Russia, enabling her to push | forward her first line of resistance scuthward over “country considered friendly to the Japanese, and thus to weaken the Japanese army before the real contest is begun where Russia is | supreme. CHINESE FAVOR RUSSIA. A party of Ameérican miners convey- ing bullion has had many opportuni- ties of judging the feeling of the Man- churian Chinese and expresses a strong opinion that all are in f: while a large number are prepared to assist actively. These miners tell also hew Russia is enormously strengthen- ing her large number of fortified posts along the Yalu, heavy reinforcements having arrived during the last three weeks. The miners, who crossed the Chengcheng River in boats, feel certain that the Japanese will be unable to throw pontoon bridges across that stream before early in April, owing to the severity of the winter. Foreigners long resident here agree that the first Japanese reverse will be followed by an uprising of Tong-Haks, a ,secret Korean society, which an- nounces that it is an ally of Russia KOREANS ARE KEPT BUSY. ‘Wherever the Japanese have mili- tary work, Korean coolles are pressed into their service. The Koreans re- maining here become daily fewer. The Japanese flag flies on the houses of rich and voor alike. The streets are filled with hurrying soldiers and smali tradesmen, a-cloud of whom has de- scended upon Korea. All of the correspondents were forced to return to Seoul. However, the great Japanese machine works everywhere smoothly. The spirit is a splendid one of confidence and quiet determination. These officers and men realize the great privations and enor- mous diT -:!tles ahead, but unflinch- ingly resolve to attain the great ob- Jective—Harbin. In conversation an of- ficial expressed the opinion that if Har- bin be taken Japan will turn to Amer- ica and England, saying: “We have fought vour battle. Help us by diplomatic pressure to keep Man- churia open, whose key, Harbin, we possess.”” KOREAN RULER SENDING PRESENTS TO THE MIKADO SEOUL, Mareh 28, 5:15 p. m.— Marquis Ito, upon taking his depar- ture yesterday, submitted to the Gov- ernment some suggestions for Korean reforms. The Emperor has appointed Yi Chi Yipg, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, as a special Embas- sador to bear presents to the Japanese Emperor and return the compliment of Marquis Ito’s visit to Korea. Many Korean officials who were formerly implicated in pro-Russian movements and who remained in hid- ing during the recent stay here of Marquis Ite, are reported now to be reappearing. They are confident and have been assured that drastic re- forms for the purging of Korean of- ficial eircles are not imminent. begin the work of cutting a channel vor of Russia, | BROWN ARNY ADVANCING TO STRIE BLOW Russians Expeet Deeisive Conflict to Ocenr About April 2. Reported Hanging of Three Japanese Officers Is Proved False. Cossacks and Chinese Ban- dits Fight on the Man- churian Border. ST. PETERSBURG, March 30 —A correspondent of the Novosti at Liao- yang, under yesterday's date, reports that the Japanese have moved on the Yalu River and that a conflict be- tween them and the Russians is ex- pected about April 2. The Harbin correspeident of the Russky Videmosti explodes the re- cent report that three Japanese of- ficers were hanged for attempting to blow up the Sungari bridge, on the trans-Siberian Railroad. The Ministry of Finance denies that it has dispatched agents abroad to negotiate a loan, and says that therefore there is no foundation for the rumors that such agents have un- successfully attempted to enter nego- tiations for this purpose with foreign bankers. LIAOYANG, March | Manchuria is reported to be quiet. An enormous movement of (troops is in progress and trpins are arriv- ing several times daily. General Linevitch has received a telegram trom General Kuropatkin expressing satisfaction that so well trained a sol- dier is with the army, saying: “May God heélp you to carry out | the most difficult part of the problem. I will be very happy if T find on my arrival that you will remain with the army. which so firmly believes in you, until the greatest danger is past.” In the rear of Bidzevo fifty ¢ | encountered a strong band of bandits and charged upon them, kill- ing twenty-eight and capturing six. Three Cossacks were killed and six wounded. 29.—Southern sacks rinese « e S | Glorions Home-Coming of Marines. ODESSA, March 29.—Information has been received here that the Rus- sian steamship Malaya, with the sur- vivors of the Russian cruiser Variag and the gunboat Koreitz, passed the Dardanelles to-day and will arrive here to-morrow. Preparations for the reception of the survivors have been completed. The town will be deco- rated with bunting and there will be grand illuminations especially com- | memorative of the Chemulpo fight. —_——— Calm Confidence of Russians. MOSCOW, March 29.—Three Brit- {ish officers, who arrived here yester- day from India by way of Persia have pronounced themselves as being impressed by the ealm confidence among the Russians. The officers no- ticed no signs of military activity and did not see a single military train through the Caucasus or European Russia. 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