The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-03-10
JAPS TRAIN GUNS
ON VLADIVOSTOCK
FLEET oF SEVEN VESSELS bonn
BARD THE CITY.
FIRING LASTS S. MINUTES
Most Of Their Shells FaI to Explode
and No Damage Is Reported
Russian Batteries Re
main Silent.

vladiyUst took, March IA feet of five |
Japanese battleships and two cruisers
appeared of this place at 1:25 o'clock
Sunday afternoon and bombarded the
to@n and shore batteries for So minutes,
The feet approached from the direction
Of Askold island. at the east entrance
to Ussuri bay and about 80 miles south |
east of VIadirostock Entering Ussuri
bay the enemy formed in line of battle,
bur did not approach to a closer range
than mile and third. They directed
their fire against the shore batteries and
the town, but no damage resulted, as
most of the 200 lyddite shells failed to
burst
Russians Remain Silent,
The Russian batteries, commanded by
Gems. Verohetz and Artamonoff, did not
reply awaiting a closer approach of fine
enemy. The Japanese fire ceased at 2: 20
p. M. and the enemy retired in the direc-
ton of Askold island. simultaneously
two torpedo boat destroyers appeared
near AskoldIsland and two more near
Cape Maid4 The japanese ships we're
covered with ice.
The atta Eek resulted in no loss to the
Russians, but cost the enemy 100000
roubles CSf00,0O0) IN ammunition. Most
of the projectiles were six and 12-inch
shells.
The population of VlRdivostock was
warned of the presence on the horizon OF
the presence of a hostile feet and the
prospect of attack during the day, but it
repained tranquil
Alexief Reports.
st. Petersburg. March .-A,communi-
cation from Viceroy Alexieff to the car
from Mukden, bearing Sundays date.
says: Il most humbly inform your ma
jesty that the commandment at the fort
ress at Fladivostock reports that at
$50 this morning seven vessels were
sighted south of Askold island At 9:45
they were seen to be warships making
for Askold island. About noon the enc
my's squadron was midway between the
coast and Askold island, making for
Ussuri bay. They were out of reach of
the shore batteries At 1870 the enc
my Qnasls.s -s...ssl IA -t.he-
Squadron We're probably the first-elass
cruisers Idzum and Yakumo, but the
names Of the other vessels are I'M
known
Five Reported Killed.
st. Petersburg, March 7.-Oficial dis
patches received here concerning the
bombardment OF yladivostock by a
Japanese fleet Sunday afternoon do not
mention any Russian losses, but pri-
vate adviees say that five were killed,
four sailors and the wife of an engi-
neer. 1t is apparent the Japanese were
afraid to risk exposing their ships to
the plunging fire of the land batteries
and it is considered probable here that
the attack was really for the purpose
OF drawing the fire .of the Russian
forts, compelling the Russians to dis
close the positions and the caIiber of
their guns, and also for the purpose
Of ascertaining whether the Russian
squadron is in port. If this was the
object of the Japanese it is believed to
have failed signally, as the batteries
did not fire a shot, and if the squadron
is in port it could not be seen from
the Japanese position in the bay of Us
surf on account of the high land which
rises from the coast on that side, OBJ
structing the view Of the harbor.
japanese Advancing.
St Petersburg. March 7.-Adyices
from Vladiyostock say that the $500
japanese troops who landed at Plak-
sin bay. on the east coast of northern
Korea, are advancing toward Musan.
21S miles from Gensan, with the in
tention of ultimately reaching Hun
chun, on the left bank of the Tumen
river about 100 miles west of Vlcdi-
vostock, and threatening the Russian
flank. IN order to checkmate this move
the Russian outpost. 1900 strong,
which recently crossed the Tumen, is
advancing to occupy Koyryong, on
the Tumen river, walled. city com
handing the trails along which the
Japanese must pass.
The naval mobilization foreshadow-
ed in these dispatches has been par
TALLY decided upon. Three eastern
provinces Of European Russia, vyatka,
Perm and Ufa. are included in the plan,
the purpose stated being the strength
ening of the crews Of the Pacific
squadron
Direct through telegraph eommuni-
caticn is now established between
viceroy Alexieft's headquarters at
Mukde2 and ST. Petersburg This is
believed to be the longest circuit in the
world. being over COCO miles, whereas
the direct communication between
London and Teheran. a distance Of
only 5000 miles. has hitherto been the
longest
Vast Army to Oppose Japan.
St. Petersburg. March 7.-Russia's
plan for the campaign in the far east
includes the dispatch Of four army
corps, each made up of two divisions
or Infantry. one division of cavalry
and one brigade OF artillery The to-
tal strength Of the four corps wiz be
74.527 officers and men. 67.S60 horses
and 400 guns. This immense force does
not include the army which will be re-