The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-25
PORT ARTHUR VERSION.

PORT ARTHUR VERSION.
Port Arthur. Feb. 25.-Four steamers
were sent in by the japanese yesterday
in an ATTEMPT to block the entrance of
the port. and all of them were sunk.
They are lying in the following posi-
tions: One behind Golden hill, one near
the Retvizan. two behind the entrance
of the channel. and Lao THE Shan
peninsula Two of the vessels are, still
burning
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Port Arthur, Feb. 25.-At about I
o'clock yesterday morning the Japanese
made a desperate attempt to block the
entrance of the inner harbor and dock.
With this object four merchant steam
ers. accompanied by torpedo vessels,
We're sent from two sides towards the
entrance of the channel. The move
ment was perceived by the Retvizan,
which was lying in the channel and
who opened fire Immediately. At the
same time the guns of the forts on the
Tiger peninsula, Golden Hill and Elec-
tric Cliff were turned upon the enemy
and furious cannOnade ensued, last
ing until in the morning. Then the
firing slackened and became desultory
The japanese had failed to effect their
purpose. All four steamers were sunk
They are lying in the following posi-
tions:
One behind Golden Hill. one near the
Retvizan, two between the entrance of
the channel and Lao THE Shan penin-
sula-
Two of the vessels are still burning
The cruiser Bayan and Novik pursued
the japanese torpedo hotilla. II is said
that one of the torpedo boats was sunk
At about in the morning Feb
ruary "a. Japanese squadron of con-
siderable size approached Port Arthur
and the Bayan and Novik were Or
dered to face the Japanese ships, which
however did not open fire and after
wards steamed away in the direction
of Port Dalny.
The cruiser Pallada has entered the
dock here.
HARBOR ENTRANCE REMAINS
OPEN.
Paris, Feb. 25.-Additional details of
the Japanese attempt to close the en-
trance of the harbor of Port Arthur
have been received from most authori-
tative quarters. These say the Japa-
nese sent five or six old transport
hulks, conveyed by torpedo boats to
Port Arthur. with the evident purpose
OF sinking the hulks at the entrance
OF the harbor. The battleship Retvizan
discovered their approach and her fire
on them was strongly seconded by that
OF the shore batteries north of Port
Arthur. The report adds that two
Se@DoAASSG oill1lS were wrecked and lie
IN I12er bay. that along the shore an
other Japanese ship was burned. and
mat fourth lies wrecked on the shore
outside Tiger bay. 1t is believed that
these wrecks were not warships. but
hulks. DESIGNED to be sunk at the en-
trance OF the harbor. The wrecks are
sad to be at considerable distance from
open. 'e-i 10
Those reporting give no information
regarding the japanese fleet. which is
SAID TO have supported the Operations
against Port Arthur.
ENGLAND HOLDS RTTSSTANJ p1,1o
ONERS.
London, Feb. 25.-Asked in the house
OF commons today by what authoritv
II was proposed to detain at Ceylon the
go RUSSIAN sailors rescued after the
nghl on Chemuipo, Premier Balfour
SAID the sailors had sought refuge IN a
9ilIlsh Wafshlp. Under the circum-
stances and until other ARRANGEMENTS
had been agreed upon the syovernroa,lt
thought II would best be fulfilling the
oplgauons OF neutrality by holding the
men In British territory until the close
of the war The Japanese government
however, had not intimated that if was
Wlillng that the sailors should return
10 Russia on giving their parole not
10 paruclpate further in the war The
British government was now in corre-
spondence with Russia, with the view
OF settllng the question on this basis
MANCHURIANS ARE RISING
New York, Feb. 25.-Manchuria. is
rising against the Russians, says a
World dispatch from Chefoo Five
thousand Russian troops have beer
moved from Muzden to SUMMING he
cause IN the villages along the west
SIDE or L1ao Ting peninsula. the ma
yves are making active preparations to