The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-23
STILL NOTHING But RUMORs.


Only Rumors and 1t Seems
impossible to Get at
the Facts.
JAPS SURPRISE THE RUSSIANS.
St. Petersburg, March 19.-Staff or
ders issued at Harbin, which have
just arrived here by mail, show that
Japanese troops have moved much
further north than was supposed, Gen.
Tin Cheng having concentrated 1000
men at bodune, which is only 100
miles west of Habin; Gen. Ma having
10000 at Kanpantze, while another
5000 are at Tsin Min Tun, and 10, 600
at Ichau, all points bordering upon
the zone Of Russians military opera
tions. These orders are also signifi-
cant, inasmuch as they lay stress upon
the holding aloof Of the Chinese
officials in Mapchuriia, the Civil
Governor at Mukden having forbidden
the Chinese to supply cattle, food or
fodder to the Russians.
Washington March 19.-Russia will
be asked by the United States to treat
kindly the japanese non-combatants
who have been left in Siberia and to
enable them to make their way back
to Japan. Mr.. Kogoro Takahira the
japanese minister. called at the State
department today and informed the
officials that he had received reports
that between forty and fifty japanese
non on-combatants we're in suffering
condition in several Siberian towns.
The minister requested the Washington
Government to use it's good Offices to
assist the suffering japanese to reach
Berlin, where the japanese minister
will take them in charge. The State
department. acted promptly and cable
gram has been sent to Mr.. McCor-
mick, the American ambassador at st.
Petersburg inviting him to call the
attention of the Imperial Government
to the matter in the confident hope
that the Russian officials will take inn
mediate steps for the relief of the jap
aneSe..
In an interview Mr.. Takahira said
he made his request because of tele
gram received from the japanese min
lister at Berlin, reporting that two
japanese subjects, who arrived at Ber-
lin few days ago, from the interior
of Siberia as delegates from large
number of japanese still living there,
reported to him that they wers boy
cotted, and not only had they found it
impossible to ear1 any living, but were
in constant danger Of life and conse-
quently were suffering great privation.
In some towns, it@is said, they were
ordered by the police authorities to
leave the place at a moments notice.
without time to take their effects with
them. We have, therefore, decided
to have them sent to Japan.
It is not unnatcual that in time of
war there exists between the people of
the belligerants degree OF severity,
but in my opinion it is a notable
feature of the present conflict that
since it's outbreak the Russians have
acted in an untoward manner, with the
non-comb batants and prisoners of our
people,
The minister pointed out several in
stances, which. he regarded as bearing
out his opinion, and contrasted them
with the treatment of Russians in
japan, as to which, be said, there had
been no complaint. He concluded by
expressing the hope that the Russians
would "show some moderation" in
their treatment of japanese refugees.
FOREIGNERS MUST STAY
WITHIN.
New Chwang, March 20.-The
foreign consuls today officially notified
their governments that the Russian
commander of the garrison has forbid
den foreigners to go beyond the mud
walls Of the native city, with the
single exception that they are allowed
to use the river bank between the
foreign settlement and the foreign
gunboats. This exception is made
solely on account Of the presence of
the United States gunboat Helena and
the British gunboat Espiegle,. for
otherwise they would be cut off from
communication with their respective
settlements.
The Russian order particularly for
bids visiting forts on the Liao river
and also Wutaitzu, a village two
miles south of the fort. The foregoing
order is declared to be a necessary
military measure on account of the
arrangements being made for the de-
fense of the coast.
Foreigners still have access to the
west and north shores of Liao and use
the railway and telegraph. although
the Chinese managers of the telegraph
line have instructed their employees
to withdraw to Then Chuang Tai in
the event of hostilities. This action aud
also the threatened withdrawal of the
railway staff is severely condemned on
account of their being outside of real
danger.
The Russian authorities have given
notice that no consular communica-
tions on affairs originated in or con-
nected with Dalny Or Port Arthur will
be received.
Responsible Russians here have a
we'll defined impression that Ameri-
can or other consuls will not be allow
ed at NJ ukden or elsewhere in Man
churia.
WAR NEWS VIA LONDON.
Mo.ob 81 Notb;nn boo