The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-29
NEWS IF LAND FIGHT IS NOW
 ANTICIPATED Russian Cara|y Has Crossed the YaIu and COssack
 Skirmish Reported TNOOPS ARE NOW BEING RAPIDLY CONCEN TRATED Ice Railroad Across Lake Balkal Has Been Completed and Supplies Can be Transported Much
 More Quickly.

St. Petersburg, February 28.-The of ficial announcement by Major General Phug, chief of staff to Viceroy Alexien, that Russian cavalry had crossed the Yalu river, is expected to be followed shortly by news of rather heavy fighting as according to seemingly trustworthy re- ports General Linevitch has sent a whole army corps of infantry to support the cossacks who have penetrated to point below Anju and who are reported to have beaten the Japanese in several sl1irmishes.
 Nevertheless if this movement in force Is progressing it must not be assumed that the Russians have taken the offen- sive, but rather that they are taking up strong position in northern Korea in or der to check the advance of the formid- able army of Japanese landing on both shores of Korea, while the concentration of Russian troops behind the Yalu is being completed.
 Making Better Progress.
 This concentration is making better pro- gross than Is generally believed abroad. The movement of troops eastward over
 
 accelerated henceforth as teegraphic re- ports say that the ice railroad over Lake Baikal was completed today. Up to this time the tracks have been used as far as built, the soldiers marching from the ter minus of the line to the other shore.
 Major General Plugs report that Gen- eral Mas army is west of the Tiao river agrees with the statement of the special correspondent of the Russo at Tien Tsin that the Chinese war minister is hurry Ing large bodies of troops to the north eastern frontier of Pc Chi Li. This re- port says the troops are not going by rail, but are marching by night.
 Situation Will be Complicated.
 The military situation will be greatly complicated if General Mas army is real ly moving to the rear of the Russian army with the view of making common cause with the Japanese, it will ex- pose both Russian Hanks to attack.
 The blockade of Port Arthur continues. The Russians seem resigned for the pres ent not to expect to accomplish much by sea, realizing that the Port Arthur fleet is over matched in both ships and guns, but they hint that things may be differ ent in the spring if the Baltic fleet goes out and effects a juncture with that of Port Arthur.
 Serious consideration Is also being given to the feasibility of spending about s5,0O0,00o on torpedo boat destroyers to be sent in sections to Vladivostock and Port Arthur
 Mechanics Sent East.
 Three hundred mechanics and dock yard articifers were sent to the far east last week and experts declare that the boats could be built. sent and fitted out in eight months. After all, however, the hopes and hearts of the Russians are centered in their army and with General Kuropatkin at It's head, although he has not faced a foe since the siege of Plevna, victory Is considered assured.
 The frankness with which the govern ment announced the initial reyerses serves to give truth to all reports, and is perhaps the best evidence of complete confidence which the authorities have in the loyalty of the people.
 incident of Reported Victory.
 An interesting incident occurred on the day the news was received of the sink ing of the four steamers with which the Japanese sought to block the entrance to the harbor of Port Arthur. The report was to the effect that four battleships and two transports had been sunk, and this caused so much enthusiasm that session of the council of the empire im- mediately ordered a Te Deum.
 A member of the council just from the winter palace burst into the session and said: "Gentlemen, countermand the or der Only four old steamers were sunk. The emperor does not wish a thanksgiv- ing service to be held.''
 In connection with this attempt of the Japanese on Port Arthur story Is cur rent here that the vessels sent in were. painted to represent warships and that on arriving close to the channel they dropped contact mines. This story however, lacked confirmation from any authorita- tive quarter.