March 7, 1904.]
upon
were sweeping the harbour, they were fired by the forts. In consequence, they rowed to a point of shelter, where they were under cover, and rejoined the destroyers about 3 p.m. the following afternoon, after rowing for several hours against a heavy see and head-wind."
"Tokyo, 28th February, 8.20 p.m.-This morn- ing, at about 9 a.m.. a group of the enemy's cavalry made a demonstration and were encoun- tered about half a mile to the north of Phyeug- yang. Our infantry opened fire and advanced to the attack, whereupon the Russians withdrew."
NORTHERN TELEGRAMS,
The principal telegrams in the Shanghai papers are as follows:-
Tokyo, 22nd February.-It is reported that the Russians from the south of the Ussuri hare gathered at Possist and the coast, and that portion of them have already entered Seoul.
the
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
to the Yalu, which I think is rather a roundabout wayto get to Manchuria. So early as the 8th February the Japanese had 5,000 men at Seoul, without counting the reservists and the socall- ed railway coolies that had been brought over in batches long before. On the 14th all Japan. ese reserves were called in. All Japanese males here bare to pay a war-tax; even boys of ten and twelve, if they are working, have to pay.
Among the passengers on board the U.S.A.T. Thomas, which arrived in Nagasaki on the 22nd ult.,
were Mr. Sam B. Trissel, Associate Reed Hul', Manila Times and Sunday Sun, Editor of the Manila American, and Mr. James who left the vessel at this port and proceeded to Tokyo to swell the throng of correspondents who are waiting for permits to accompany the Japanese army.
captured at Nagasaki on the 17th ultimo last The Russian steamer Manchuria, which was is now being repaired at the Mitsu Bishis, Akuuonra Engine Works. The work will take a week or two, and the vessel will then be taken to Sasebo.
179
she will leave to day (P 26th ultimo) or to- morrow for Baseho.
Fifteen hundred Russian infantry marched nto the native city of Newchwang, headed by bands and flying banners, on Their arrival was followed by great excitement the 15th ult.
and confusion. These troops were marched out again the next day.
A despatch dated Port Arthur via Chefoo, 18th February, says :-Of the forty-five warshi s in Port Arthur harbour, the Russian loss up to date is 12 warships.
No Russian Note with regard to a violation by the Berlin Foreign Office. Certainly small of Corea's neutrality has so far been received notice only could be taken of such a communi- cation, which can hardly have any consequences at all, says the Berlin correspondeut of the Ostasiatische Lloyd.
THE WELCOME TO BRITISH OFFICERS.
The
"It is officially announced that several hundred Russian cavalry have appeared in the vicinity
Naval Station, and other officers, gave a dinger Admiral Inouye, Commander of Yokosuka of Anchyu, in North Phyong-an province (tho north-west province of Corea), aud
to the British officers, who brought out the telegraphs north of Anchyu are interrupted.
Nisshin and Kasuga on the 16th ult. The city of Phyongyang is still safe."
"The Tokyo Kokumin ridicules the charge | telegram, which, it will be seen, is much to the the guests of the evening, Admiral Inouye The N. C. Daily News publishes the following | Inouye. In the course of a speech welcoming guests, on arrival, were received by Admiral of treachery and cowardice made by the Freuch Press against Japan. iu
same effect as our London correspondent's tele-spoke very highly of the gallantry shown iu reference to her procedure at the opening of hostilities, but February.-The Japanese have successfully rout- opinion that the close of the war had been gram published on Saturday:-"Tient-in, 26th undertaking the voyage, and expressed the believes that the Paris Government will adhereed the Russian garrison at Hunchun, near the brought nearer by the arrival of the two ships. to its declaration of strict nentrality.” N.-C. D. N.
Captain Painter, of the Kasuga, briefly replied expressed the astonishment of his fellow officers in bing swarmly welcomed. Three cheers were given to the officers and men who brought out the ships, and the party broke up after spending a very pleasant evening.
"Paris, 20th February.-It is stated in S. Petersburg that on the 19th, a Cossack picket captured a detachment of Japanese troops on Corean territory."-Echo de Chine.
"Berlin, 22nd February.-There was a large pro-German demonstration in Moscow, The German Consul only took notice thereof for the purpose of report. On the other hand there was a pro-Russian demonstration in Prag against the German Consulate-General account of Japanese articles of the German Press.
on
"The Daily Mail's report, that the German cruisers are spying the movements of the Japanese squadron, are declared here to be a perfidious invention, because, as a matter of fact, all movements of the German men-of-war near the field of operations of the belligerents are made only with the consent of the com- mander-in-chief of the Japanese fleet.
"The report of the Figaro with regard to secret agreements of Germany with Russia or Great Britain for the Far East is utterly
unfounded.
"All reports of military arrangements for the protection of the neutrality of the different Powers are most seriously exaggerated. mobilisation of troops is taking place nowhere." ---0. Lloyd,
Chefoo, 24th February.-The report of a Rusian reverse off the Yalu is unconfirmed.' --N.-C. D.N.
44
Chefoo, 24th February-Viceroy Alexieff is at present at Mcukden. Lieutenant-General Lenjewitsch is commanding the Russian troops of Liaotung and General Stoessel those of Port Arthur."-0. Lloyd.
OTHER ITEMS.
Quarters for 10,000 Japanese troops were requisitioned at Pingyang last month.
The owners of the German steamer Pronto which had such a severe handling at the hands of the Russians during the bombardment of Port Arthur, has through the German Consulate at Shanghai lodged a protest at the Russian Consulate for damages received.
The Sinwenpao says that the British Consul at Newchwang has declared that the cause of the suspension of traffic on the Chinese railway at Shanhaikwan was due to the fact that China feared that the Russians might utilise the line during hostilities with Japan. The line has now been handed over to the care of the British Consul.
The
nor h-east boundary of Corea, and are now mar- Kirin are reported to be demoralised, ching on Kiria. The Russians at Moukden and greater part of the Russian troops are concou- trating on the Yalu river."
she will dismantle.
The Mandjour is to remain at Shanghai, but steering gear was to be disconnected at Sa.m. It was stated that the
on the 27th ult., and the gunboat thus rendered will also be given not to take in any more coal. incapable of offensive action. An undertaking
On the 24th ult., three Japanese war vessels arrived at Shanghai, one being the Akitsushima, rffice at Woosung. The Idzumi and Suma took which again has anchored near the telegraph up their station opposite the mouth of the river, some five or six miles from the Akitsushima.
The s.3. Lyeemoon, Messrs. Siemssen & Co., near Port Arthur. The steamer has on board is said to have been detained by the Japanese
provisions and contraband of war consigard to Port Arthur.
News from Port Arthur to the 21st is that of the harbour, is being dismantled as rapidly the battleship Retvizan, stranded at the mouth
taking out her guns, fittings, etc.. One of the as possible, the Russians working night and day damaged Russian cruisers has been taken into injured, and it is not known when her repairs the only dock, but her bottom is very seriously will be completed. The cruiser Novik is lying in the west basin with a very heavy list, in fact almost on her beam ends.
Newchwang despatch of the 12th ult. says that With regard to the Novik we note that a Viceroy Alexieff has decorated the Commander of the Novik with the S. George's Cross, for having fought and suuk a Japanese cruiser.
What cruiser this is, we do not know.
The natives say that the Russians are hard pressed owing to the lack of provisions at Port Arthur.
A portion of the garrison has been sent way from Port Arthur. The forts are, as given out to be. Port Arthur, according to matter of fact, not so formidable as at firsta
native opinion, cannot resist more than one or two attacks.
Martial law was declared on the 9th ult. in Kwantung, Maritime Islands, and Sakhalin, and the districts along the Chinese Eastern Railway,
Four Japanese battleships and nine cruisers passed Weihaiwei bound towards the Promon- tory on the evening of the 24th alt.
The Ostasiatische Lloyd issues the following: -Fifteen transports left Nagasaki during last The Mercury's Chemulpo correspondent wrote week, taking 25,000 men of infantry and artillery on the 14th alt.:-Preparations are being made to North Cores. All transports bave, instead of for the Japanese army to start for the Yalu from Seoul.
ifeboats, large Japanese sampans at their davits, Two transports arrived on the and there were also stored two or three rows of 13th. Only a few soldiers were landed, but any sampans on the upper deck for the purpose of amount of ammunition was landed aud coolies landing the troops. and others belonging to the ambulance depart transports is reported to be splendid.
The equipment of the ment, etc., disembarked. But a large number of Manchuria, which was taken by the Japanese in The other transports with troops are expected. the harbour of Nagasaki, when war was declared, Three yen per day are paid those who are will-while she was undergoing the repairs to her ing to work with the overland transport service boilers and engines, is now so far advanced that
THE RUSSIAN REFUGEES
refugees now at Hongkong on
A few further details regarding the Russian the Italian cruisers Elba are interesting. When they first took refuge on the Elba at Chemulpo the. temperature was many degrees below freezing point, yet the Italiau sailors cheerfully gave up a visit to the Elba at Hongkong, and saw their blankets to them. Admiral Bridge paid the wounded midshipman, who has been occupy- ing the cabin of the second in command. The captain of the Elba had two Russian have given up their quarters, and now sleep in officers in his sitting-room. Other officers, also,
hammocks. When one considers the clock- work discipline of a warship, and how much one "outsi·ler" is in the way, one may ima- caused the crew of the Elba, which in itself gine what inconvenience the 181 refugees have
Consul at Hongkong is much touched by the only consists of some 250 men, The Russian hospitality shown to the refugees by their ing clothing Italian comrades. He is now busy provid- to them suitable Lo A
tionary powers warm climate, having received full disore- from his Government to supply the men's wants. His Excellency Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G., the Officer Administering the wounded midshipman to b landed and the Government, has granted permission for placed in the Government Civil Hospital. The Italian Government is making rrangements as to the destination of the refugees.
NORTHERN NEWS.
A uative report says that the defence of Vladivostock is very inefficient. There are only 10 torpedoes for the defence of the forts, Many of the latter need repairs.
The Universal Gazette says that M. Lessar, the Russian Minister, has not accepted the proposal of the Waiwapu, to send the Mandjour away from port or to put her out of commission as the only alternative. The French Minister has advised M. Lessar to land the guns and arms of the kandjour.
Since M. Pavloff, the Russian Minister at Seoul, withdrew from the Corean capital, the Russian Consul at Husan appears to have been placed in an awkward position. It is stated the Consul received no information whatever from M. Pavloff of the withdrawal of the Russian Legation, but was informed of the event by the Japanese authorities. As the telegraph between Consul has no channel through which to ask for Fusan and Russia is now interrupted, the
structions immediately as to the course to be protection of the Japanese authorities, having, taken by him. He is at present under the it would seem, been forgotten by his Minister.
Chinwangtao, arrived at Tientsin on the 25th The steamer Providence, from Shanghai to