Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-02-25
DISPATCH FROM PORT ARTHUR
REPORTS FIRST DEFEAT FOR
JAPs IN SEA BATTLE.
OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED
The Engagement Took Place Last
Nisht-Japanese Fleet Passes Wei
Hai-Wei Today Bound Eastward
Japanese Land at chemuIpo.

Paris, Feb. PA Port Arthur dis.
patch says that four Japanese cruisers
and two transports have been sunk In
fresh attack on Port Arthur. The
dispatch adds that the attack was re-
pulsed and that the Russian battleship
Retvisian covered herself with glory.
Paris, Feb. 24.-The foreign office
received late this afternoon the follow
ina dispatch from the French consul at
Chefoo: "The Russians have repulsed
Japanese attack up Port Arthur.
Four Japanese battle ships were dam
aged and run aground"
The consul's dispatch adds that the
attack occurred last night and indi-
Gates that the ships are stranded near
Port Arthur.
Washington, Feb. 24.-At noon to-
day Count Cassini, the Russian anbas-
sador handed Secretary Hay Russias
communication to the powers protest.
ing against Japan's alleged violation
of the international laws.
Washington, Feb.24.-secretary Hay
has received information that Japan
has negotiated treaty with corea
whereby she guarantees independence
and integrity OF corea.
Washington, Feb. .24.-The Japanese
legation here 'discredits the report OF
the sinking of four Japanese war ships
!, and two transports al, Port Arthur. At
acfs
reports to that effect emanate from
Russian sources and therefore should
be accepted with caution. Further
more the reference to the participation
of the Retvisian and the fighting and
the reported sinking of the transports
are both regarded as casting suspicion
upon the story. The Retvisian is un-
derstood to be in condition unfit for
battle for many months while the pres
ence Of transports at Port Arthur can
not be explained.
Wei-Hai-Wei. Feb. E. Four Japan
ese battleships and nine cruisers
passed this port today bound eastward.
(Wei-Hai-Wei is a Russian port fifty
miles east of Cheefoo and 100 miles
southeast of Port Arthur. 1t is direct
Nv
miles. This may have been the jap
anese Port Arthur fleet taking the back
track for the more friendly shores of
Corea.)
Togo Leaves Port Arthur.
London. Feb "a The fleet which
passed Wei-Hai-Wei today is supposed
to have been Admiral Togos fleet leav-
ing Port Arthur.
Official Confirmation.
It is officially announced from Port
Arthur that four Japanese battleships
and two Japanese transports have
been sunk in fresh attack on Port Ar
thur. The attack was repulsed.
Heard Firing From Ship.
Chefoo, Feb. 24.-The steamer Gov
ernor Jaeschi while passing Port Ar
thur at o'clock this morning heard
heavy firing in that direction. There is
a persistent rumor abroad that several
Japanese warships have been disabled
but SO far it is unconfirmed. Another
steamer passing Dalny about the same
time reports that she heard no firing.
Thousands Land At chemulpo.
Shanghai, Feb. "a. - A japanese
army corps has landed at Chemulpo
Corea. totalling about 10000. Men
have already been deployed between
Seoul and Ping Yang.
The advance guards are even north
ward of the latter place.
Supplies Are Scarce.
Owing to the partial thaw the roads
are SO bad that the transportation OF
provisions and war munitions is most
difficult.
Railway Under Martial Law.
st. Petersburg, Feb. "a The rail
way between Samara and Szlatoust in
European Russia and the Siberian
lines. with all the territory appropriat
ed by the government for the purposes
of these railways have been placed un
der martial law to insure the regular
running of the military trains.
Wire Service Poor.
Seoul, Feb "a. - The Russians are
keeping communication between Win
and Anju in Corea. open. Otherwise nc
advance to the southwark has YET
been made. !;
Russian spies are reported to be IN
the vicinity of Ping Yang:
Troubles Not Single.
Saukim, Egypt, Feb. "a. - The cap
tain of the British steamer Luristan re