The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-26

st. Petersburg. April 23-S D. m.-Ths
Associated Press is authoritatively in
formed that the government has no ad-
vices supporting the rumors of heavy
lighting on the Yalu river
A rurnor was current in this city that
the japanese sustained heavy loss
while attempting a landing near the
mouth Of the Yalu river According
to the report which is said to be based
upon private telegram from Port Ar
thur the japanese lost 1000 men.
Guarding Closely the YaIu.
st. Petersburg, April 23.-The Rus
SLAMS have placed guns in positions
covering the crossing of the Yalu river
Wnlle General Kuropatkin desires that
the japanese shall enter Manchuria he
proposes they shall pay as deadly as
possible for the privilege, but without
preclpltatlng general engagement
Major General KaShtalinsky is anxious
to engage the enemy and begged Gem
eral Kuropatkin for permission to do
so. but the communicative chief strictly
forbade even small skirmishes where
1t was possible to avoid them 1t Is
understood that General Kuropatkin
intends to deliver the decisive battle
himself In the meantime the cavalry
and artillery at the front are engaged
In constant drill and "Reminiscences.
q Would Not Be Enticed.
Port Arthur, April 23-The Japanese
have failed in what is believed to have
been a clever ruse to entice the Rus
sian ships out of Port Arthur. Several
men-of-war were sighted Immediately
after the battleship Petropaviovsk was
blown up. steaming rapidly towards
Port Arthur, witheother ships pursuing
them demonstratively and firing at
| them. 1t Is possible that it was a
chase OF a merchantmen, but the opin-
| lon here is that the Japanese desired to
| create the impression that the Vladivos-
tok cruisers were attempting to form a
junction with the Port Arthur fleet
| knowing the whereabouts OF the crIIis-
| ers. however, the Russian fleet did not
go out, and the Japanese ships retired
The survivors of the Petropavlovsk
| are recovering from their burns and the
| inflammation Of the lungs consequent
upon their immersion in the sea.
Attempted Assassination True.
| st. Petersburg. April 23-The story
| that an attempt was made on General
| kuropatkin's life by two disguised jap
anese. while the commander-in-chief
was in New Chwang a few days ago
| is confirmed.
| The would-be assassins inpersonated
| Chinese beggars. They wore false que.
| Ques. One Of them reached for a dag
| ger. but was felled by one Of two Cos
sacks. who always accompany the gen.
| eral.
Action of the Chinese
Paris. April 23.-The correspondent OF
| the Associa ted Press here is informed
that China has taken quite a definite
| pro-Japanese stand within the last few
| days. 1t is said this may involve seri-
| Gus consequence to the relations be.
tween Russia and China China's az
| tion it is noted, follows the report thai
| Viceroy Alexief had requested the re-
tirement OF the Chinese troops.
| 1t is also reported that the Chinese n
St Petersburg will be recalled. AZ
| though the latter report is denied
| there is reason to believe that it has
| some foundatio
Report OF Landing OF Troops.
St Petersburg. April pa report i.
current here that the japanese have
landed twenty thousand troops at Kir
Chau. above Port Arthur. This report
| however. cannot be confirmed tonight.