Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-13
TWO RUM]RS DENIED
By Official Authority at st,
Petersburg.
TO ASSOCIATED PRESS
NO JAPS HAVE LANDED AT PORT
ARTHUR.
Report of Russian Victory at Hako-
date Also Discredited at
Russian Capital.
TO ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST PETERSBURG, February 13-Ths
Associated Press Is authorized to deny the
report that Japanese troops had landed at
Port Arthur with the loss of two regiments.
Nothing is known here officially regard
ing the movements of the Vladivostok
squadron, but the reports that Il had sunk
Japanese transports off Wonsan and de-
stroyed Hakodate are generally discredited,
it being pointed out that it Is impossible
for the squadron to have been In the two
places almost simultaneously.
A naval expert says that IL the Hako-
date story is true Admiral Stackelberg. in
command of the Vladivostok squadron, Will
be able to come south by the eastern coast
of Japan and cause enormous havoc along
the shore and to shipping, and ultimately
effect q juncture with Admiral Vrenius'
squadron. on it's way to the far east from
Europe
Reason for Russia's Silence.
Viceroy Alexieffs silence about the Vlad-
ivostok squadron Is explained as followst
For strategic reasons the viceroy, as COM
mander-in-chief. is empowered to dispose
Of the ships and men without consulting
headquarters. The enumeration of the Rus
sian ships engaged at Port Arthur was
purposely omitted in the official reports, as
IT would have given a valuable clew to the
enemy.
private telegram has been received
from resident Of Port Arthur, in which
the sender claims he saw one Japanese
warship sink. The fact that no mention
was made of this in the viceroy's dis
patches does not disprove the story, be-
cause the viceroy is careful not to an
nounce anything outside of personally
tablished facts. 1t is pointed out on good
authority that the Japanese are not likely
to admit such loss, and II Is recalled that
during the Chinese war they were most Sc
cretive about their casualties
The telegraph line between Port Arthur
and the Yalu river is believed to be bro
ken, which explains the absence Of direct
news regarding the naval engagement OF
Chemulpo. However. little doubt is enter
tanned here as to the fate Of the VariaG
and Korietz.
Torpedo Transport Blown Up.
The blowing up Of the Russian torpedo
transport Yenisei az the result of acci-
dentally striking a mine at Port Arthur
was telegraphed here yesterday. but the
news was not given out until the names Of
the officers killed were known 30 as to
avoid needless anxiety to the relatives Of
the ,syEyivtng o lcsrs
sci was laying mines at the entrance Of
Talienwan bay, with the object OF closing
1t against an attack from the sea. OBJ
serving that one of the mines had risen to
the surface, the Yenisei approached for the
purpose of blowing 1t up. Then the vessel
came in contact with another mine, which
exploded and caused the disaster.
The first feeling OF depression Is disap.
pearing, and entire confidence is expressed
in the ultimate success OF the Russian
arms.
distinguished Russian said:
The slight reverses which we sustained
at the outset have had good effect. The
Russians no longer despise the enemy.
That was a mistake which We made. The
Japanese certainly are excellent fighters,
who will be treated with the respect they
deserve"