Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-04-12
JAPANESE DENY STORY;
 RED CROSS NOT ABUSED.
Officials Say It is Fabrication Designed to Injure Their Cause-Heavy Rains Interfere With War Plans-SquadrOn of Battleships Just Returned Af- ter a Cruise Far Out To Sea.

TokiO, April F, 10 a. m.-The eharge enlanating from Russian { sources to the effect that the Japan csc troops enaged in the fight at | Chene Ju, March 20, abused the priv ilege of the Red Cross flag by taking refuge dn building occupied as hos pital, is indignantly denied here and i Is pronounced a fabrication designed ] to anjure the Japanese tn the eyes of ] the world. An official investigation shows that the Japanese force en- gagged at Cheng Ju had established a bandage station in the rear of their firing line, and 1t was used exclusive ! ly for the purpose of caring for the 1 wounded The Japanese Red Cross is an old and extensive organization which did good service in the war with China. Both the society and the army have been found anxious in this war to conduct the work accord ling to the ideals of civilization.
 Port Arthur. Monday, April Il. (De- layed in Transmission - Photographic communications have been interrupted recently, owing to torrential rains. The railroad embankments in South AIanchuria have been damaged, thus delaying the movements of troops. The embankment of the railway run ming to -Hai-Kwan is submerged at several points.
 A squadron of battleships and tor pedo boats has just returned here from cruise far cut to sea.
 Easter passed without the antici- pated Japanese attack. Every pre- caution was taken to prevent sur prise Vice Admiral Makaroff, who personally supervises nightly the pre- cautionary measures, spent Easter III a guard boat. During the usual Eas- ter night service the church windows were covered. so as to prevent the lights being seen by the enemy, and the absence of all illumination in the town was a constant reminder to the inhabitants of the possibility of an at tack. The troops celebrated Easter Sunday at their posts.
 New York, April 12.-Reports have been received from Chemulpo, says a World dispatch from Kobe, Japan, that engineers have raised the Rus sian cruiser Variag. It is expected that the salvage Of this vessel will more than offset the cost of the ner- chantmen sunk in the attempts to block Port Arthur. which is estimat- ed os far at $626,0o0.
 St Petersburg, April 12.-Major General Plug in a dispatch from MulS- den denies the report that the Japan ese advance guard has crossed the Yalu and engaged in a skirmish with the Russian troops.
 Tokio. April 12.--It is believed here that fighting has commenced on the Yalu river. 1t is known that the Russians occupy the right bank of the river in force. No direct infor nation has been received. but the DO sition of the Russians is known and while it is doubted that they will be able to prevent the. Japanese from crossing the river and it is regarded as certain that they will offer some oppo sition. It is not believed, however , that there will be @ serious engage ment during the attempt of the Jap anese to cross the river The foreign military observers attached to the first Japanese army have been direct ed to hold themselves i'll readiness and 1t is expected that they will leave for the front in few days.
 St Petersburg. April 12.-The Cos sack scouts on the banks of the Yalt river have not reported the appear ance of Japanese troops on the banks there. The emperor received tele gram this morning stating that al was quiet at Port Arthur that the ma val squadron is again putting out tc sea and that Vice Admiral Makarof has sent a few torpedo boat destroy CTS to explore the coast where some of the enemy's torpedo boats are be Ieyed to be in hiding.
 s.what Shall the Harvest Be:v
 WASHINGTON, April 12. What