The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-05-11
If Fortress falls the Fleet in
The HarbOr Will En-
gage the Japs
BALTIC FLEET WILL JOIN
vLADuOSTOCK SQUADRON
Railroad to Port Arthur is Also Re.
stored and Communication Has
Been Resumed-Japanese
Are Active.

London, May 1.-THE Toxic correspond
| ent of the ming Post cabling under
date of May 10, says that high angle
bombardment of Port Arthur Is pro-
ceeding
Paris, May 10-The Mathis ST. Peters,
burg correspondent says it is persistently
rumored that there has been a big fight
near Mao Tien Ting Pass between the
Russians and General Kurolds army. The
| Russians, he says, lost heavily, Lieuten-
ant General Zassalitch being among the
killed.
Paris, May 1.-THE st. Petersburg cor
respondent of the Eclair says;
| TT is now certain that the Japanese
have not landed more than 5000 men at
Pitsewo. Only a few detachments of the
advance guard reached the railroad, which
they cut in several places. They then re-
ceived orders to fall back and join the
main force, leaving the line Free
ST. Petersburg, May II, 3:05 a. m.-The
most important official news from the
| front up to this hour is that telling of
the complete re-establshment of rail-
road and telegraphic communication with
Port Arthur though how 1t was brought
| about and whether battle was neces-
sary to accomplish It, are mysteries
which viceroy Alexieff failed to clear up.
The elation OF the authorities, natural
consequence of this achievement is So
bered by official dispatches showing the
activity of the japanese in eastern Man
churia Huang Tiang STA, fifty miles
northeast of Feng Wang Cheng was oc-
cupied by the Japanese May 5. This en-
ables an advance along the bad roads to
the flank. either at Lao Yang or Muk-
den The territory between the main
road to Feng Wang Cheng and the river
Tayang, has been penetrated by such
a strong force of Japanese as to lead to
the suggestion that another army has
landed at Taku Shan of which the out
side world has not before heard.
Activity Has Been Expected.
The activity of the Japanese, however.
has been expected and therefore has not
i diminished the satisfaction felt at the
opening of communication with Port Ar
thur. All the people know definitely, is
| that the railroad has been repaired and
that at o'clock yesterday afternoon the
first dispatch passed over the recon-
structed telegraph lines. There probably
has been some fighting, but whether with
Japanese vessels or with the troops north
of Pitsewo, is not known, nor have the
Whereabouts of the Japanese landed on
the southern part of the Lao Tung PEN
insula been definitely established. 1t Is
safe to say, however, that no engage
ment of Importance has occurred in order
to re-establsh communication.
The Japanese division operating May
and 6 east of Taynangho must not be
confused with the army at Pitsewo, be-
cause the latter debarked on May O. If
a third army had landed at Taku Shan,
1t could have moved to Feng Wang
Cheng and f1anked the Russians in case
General Kuroki had encountered strong
opposition.
The suggestion of another japanese de-
barkation is generally discredited
Attached to kuriko's Army.
The force acting independently is be-
lieved 10 be attached to General Kuro-
krs army Whether or not an army was
| landed, the fact was impressed upon the
Associated Press by member of the
general staff that the Japanese are plac-
ing southern Manchuria absolutely un-
der control. before beginning a forward
movement, thus guarding against threat
ened cossack raids
General Kurok In the view of an au-
thority here, undoubtedly is informed of
the preparations for the evacuation of
New Chang and knows that the Rus
sian force operating in the Lao Tung
peninsula would promptly retire should
he advance to Hal Cheng. In the light
of these considerations he may determine
to boldly march to Lao Yang, either by
the northern road or on the road by which
the Russians retreated and along which
be has sent scouting parties.
| Information which was received by the
emperor today, set at rest all rumors af-
fecting the yladivostock squadron.
| The Associated Press was authorta-
lively informed today that there Is abso-
lutely no intention on the part of Vice
Admiral Skrydloff to order an attempt to
effect a junction with the Port Arthur
fleet
Use Vladivostock as Base.
The squadron will use Vladvostock as
a base for raids but will be preserved in
tack until the Baltic feet arrives in the
Pacific when it will proceed to sea and
report to Rear Admiral Rojestvinsky at
a certain determined point.
The Associated Press is further inform
| ed that the garrison at Port Arthur is
stronger than heretofore has been stated.
.'There is no reason to keep the strength
} of the garrison at Port Arthur secret
said the informant OF the Associated
Press.
THE japanese know 1t because OF their
perfect information. We have 2OOO0 SOL
diers and 10000 sailors there. The latter
will not be used on the Notifications ex-
cept as a last extremity The japanese
will not obtain possession of our heet'
even if they capture Port Arthur. The
orders to the commanders there are that
they shall, where fall is inevitable put
to sea and engage the enemy. We don't
propose for the Japanese to find In the
harbor a number of valuable warships
which they can seize and add to their
fleet Moreover, in battle. the Japanese
will suffer as well as our ships. and those
of the latter who do not escape will go
down to the bottom"