The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-02-24

| c13lty reported GQaG AOmlral AleAteIl
shot with his own hand the naval lieu
tenant who is said to have been re-
sponsible for the surprise of the Rus
sian hset at Port Arthur on >the occa-
sion of the first Japa nese attack.
BOYARIN TORPEDOED BY JAPA-
NESE.
London, Feb. 18.-According to Off
cial reports received today the Russian
cruiser Bovarin was not blown upby
striking Russian mine in Port Arthnr
harber, but was torpedoed by the Japa-
nese, who made an unexpected and
daring sortie with several torpedo
boats under cover of darkness.
/; JAPANESE SEIZE ELLIOTT
/ ISLAND.
4 London, Feb. 18.-The Russian en-
bassy reports that it has positive ad.
vices that the japanese are establish
| ing base for supplies on Elliott ISL
and near Port Arthur, and are trans
| porting to it a large quantity Of pro-
visions, coal and other war stores.
RUSSIANS CROSS THE YALU.
Toxic, Feb. 1s.-The government
| has been notified that three Thousand
Russians have crossed the Yalu river
near Win. A battle between this
force and the Japanese army in that
| vicinity is expected soon.
SO, 900 TROOPS MOVE.
Paris, Feb. 17.-An official dispatch
received here today from Toxic an-
| nounces that one Of the most important
| movements of japanese troops yet made
| is occurring today. One of the main
branches of the army, consisting pf
three divisions and including divis-
lion of guards, is now going on board
transports. The previous landings Of
japanese forces in Corea and elsewhere,
are said to have been small compared
with this Simultaneous sailing of three
| divisions, aggregating approximately
an army of 80, 600 to so, 600 men. It is
believed, but this is not sure, that the
destination of this force isa point near
the mouth of the Yalu river or spot
on the Liaotuug peninsula, fanking
Port Arthur.
| Another official dispatch says a Japa-
| nese transport has been sighted of
town south of the mouth of the Yalu
river.
CARRYING MUNITIONS OF WAR.
Toxic, Feb. flight transports
with japanese troops from Nagasaki
and several additional vessels carry
ing war munitions are on their way to
the west coast of Corea. ,Detachments
of japanese cavalry have already land
ed at Win, on the Yalu river.
SIXTY THOUSAND MEN.
Port Arthur, Feb. 17.-The report
that the japanese 5ave concentrated
about 60, GOO troops av Wonson (on the
east coast Of Corea) with the object
of entering Manchuria, is confirmed.
London, Feb. LIT is reported
from Chefoo that the Russian fleet at
Port Arthur attempted to escape by
slipping through the japanese block
aiding squadron, but was driven back
with slight loss, the encounter not
being of long duration and the Russian
feet withdrawing as soon as they
found the way was blocked by their
foe.
NO RUSSIANS SOUTH OF YAlU.
Toxic, Feb. 19.-lt is officially de-
MED that the Russian forces have es-
tabhshed outpcsts at any point south
of the Yalu river.
400, 900 RUSSIANS IN MANCHCRIA.
Harbin. Manchuria, Feb. 19.-The
Russians clam that they will have
400, 900 men in Manchuria within
twelve days and the advance on the
Japanese army in Korea and in the
vicinity of Port Arthur will then be-
gin.
DEATH OF DOWAGER EMPRESS
REPORTED.
Hong Kong. Feb. IA report is
current in official circles in Canton
that the Dowager Empress of China,
the real ruler of the Empire is dead.
No details cunfrmatory of the report
are obtainable.
RUSSIA MAKES THREATS.
London. Feb 19.-Little far eastern
news appears in the press this morn
ing, with the exception of official dis
patches. and the comment is made
that the official reports of ViceroJ
Alexieff and others are remarkable
mostly for what they leave unsaid.
These reports attract far less attention
than does the significantly frank Rus
sian proclamation asking the people to
be patient until the army is ready to
strike blows worthy of the dignity
and might of Russia. The threats in
this document are commented upon
By the British press in tones of con-
siderable irony.
It is now believed both in London
and on the continent that Viceroy
Alexieff has decided to fall back on
Harbin, practically abandoning Port
Arthur, Vladivostock and the whole of
southern Manchuria to the japanese,
and that he is perhaps hoping that the
reduction of Port Arthur and Vladivos-
took will occupy the enemy while he
is concentrating his forces at Harbin.
The papers this morning comment
upon the activity which is seen at
Woolwich and elsewhere in reftting
tha n.vv IN praDaYatiCD for anv emnr-