Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-02-27

Seoul, Feb. 27.-The Korean govern
ment has decided to order the Korean
troops to join the Japanese in the field.
Report Denied
Paris. Feb. 27.-There is no truth
in the report that the japanese min
ister at Seoul has requested the Kore-
an government to hand the French
minister his passport.
Stranded Crew at Chefoo.
Chefoo, Feb. 27.-Several JAPANESE
officers and sailors who landed here
from an open boat early today refus-
ed to give any information as to
where they came from. At the Jap
anese consulate it was given out that
hey belong TO a gunboat which was
damaged during the fight off Port
Arthur and which sank in trying to
reach this port.
The statement that they were mem
bers of the crew of n merchant steam
er sunk near the entrance of Port Ar
thur harbor for the purpose of block
ing it. and that they were not picked
up by torpedo boats in the company
the gulf i'm an open boat in which they
arrived. The consul claimed he had
been expecting the arrival of surviv-
nrs of the action off Port Arthur.
Must Have 100000 Men.
ST. Petersburg. Feb. 27.-Surprising
is the news that Kouropatkin is not to
go TO the front as previously an
nounced in three days time. but will
wait for several weeks. The reason
fer this. he states, is that il is not
worth while for him to go there until
400. 900 Russian soldiers are gathered
at the seat of war. and. in fact. can
not taka the offensive until that num-
Der is forthcoming. IL il said the
present force available outside the
heavy contingent guarding the rail
road does not exceed 10000 men.
Has Great Respect for Japan. d
Gen. Kouropatllin, it will be remem-
bered. recently was in Japan. where
he formed a high opinion If the Elf
cheney of the japanese troops. 1t may
also be recollected that he belonged
to the anti-war party. At recent
audience with the emperor, Gen. Kour-
opatkin spoke openly about the ne
cessity of his having a larger number
of troops. and is further credited with
having said:
Your ajesty will need me back
soon to look after European develop
ments."
Yesterday Mornings Attack.
st. Petersburg, Feb. %. - a dis
patch received here from Port Arthur.
dated Feb. %. saiys: AT l o'clock
this morning several japanese torpedo
boats were sighted from here with
sails set for the purpose of Disgusting
their character. The battleship Ret
vizan and the shore batteries opened
ire on them and continued firing until
dayhreak without any visible result.
After daybreak n Japanese squadron.
apparently conveying transports. was
sighted
Those "FIre-Ships" Were Loaded"
at a quarter past IL this squadron
came nearer. and an engagement which
lasted forty minutes enSued. There
was no damage. Few shells fell in
Port Arthur 1t is expected here that
the Japanese will attempt landing
soon. An inspection of the Japanese
fire ships sent into this harbOr Feb.
2i. shows they We're loaded with coal
and kerosene. and that electrical in
fernal machines had been placed in the
midst OF this cargo"
Claim of the japanese.
Washington. Feb. 27.-The Japanese
legation has received n cablegram from
Toxic under date of Feb. 26. giving
an account of the Intellectual attempt
made by the Japanese to blockade the
month OF the harbor at Port Arthur.
and also a brief account OF the attack
by the Japanese on Port Arthur Thurs
day morning. As result OF the attack
Thursday. the cablegram says, one OF
the Russian torpedo boats was de-
stroyed.
TOXIC TELLS OF THE AFFAIR