Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-02-26
JAPS WIN FIRST LAND BATTLE
REPORTED THAT YAlU RlVEF
FIGHT COST $500 RUSSIANS.
It Is Said Russia Reinforces Port
Arthur-Japs Make Boast-Rus.
sian Squadron Tries to Locate Jap.
anese Cables-Lost Torpedo Boat
-Japs CongratuIates Admiral Nagi.


laps coneratuIates Admiral Nasi.
A dispatch from Chefoo is printed
in London saying that it is reported
there that an engagement has occur
red between japanese and Russian
troops south of the lalu. in which 1000
Russians were killed.
The Paris edition of the New York
Herald tells OF Russian repuse on
the Yalu river, with loss of 25OU
lives.
Prepares for a Siege.
Word reaches Chefoo that Russia
is sending achievements to Port
Arthur, which, Japan declares, will tall
INTO ner hands inside Of two months.
1t is claimed that Port Arthur is pro.
.isioned for 10 months siege.
Jap Torpedo Boats.
Sounds of desultory firing at sea are
heard almost nightly. This is doubt.
.ess due to the attempted approach OF
Japanese torpedo boats, but nothing
serious has developed.
The garrison is in excellent spirits
md is firmly convinced of the ultimate
success of the Russian arms.
TO Cut Japan's Cables.
The Toxic dispatch of the London
Times confirm the report that the 81
oerian squadron of the Russian navy
nas again left Vladivostock. The -four
lrmored cruisers are apparently trying
10 locate the Japanese interisland ca
Dles in order to cut them and thus in
lerrupt communication between the
various military centers.
Regret is expressed in Japan at the
The neutrality principles Of interna
tional law. By permitting the Russian
squadron to remain at Jiboutil, France
permitted the establishment of sec
ondary base by Russia on French ter
ritory.
Japanese Cabinet Changes.
1t is announced that changes hav'
been made in the Japanese cabinet
whereby the position Of home sec
rotary, which has. been vacant, ha
been filled. At the request Of the EN-
peror, it is said. Count Yoskiawa ha
accepted the portfolio.
The mikado has addressed a mes
sage Of congratulation to Rear Ad
miral Nagi, who commanded the de
stroyer squadron which made the nigh
| attack in the face of a snowstorm OF
the Russian squadron IN Port Arthu
On Sunday, February IA.
Emperor William of Germany hal
sent direct message to the mikado
in which he tenders for the use Of thu
Japanese wounded the German hos
pitfalls at Yokohama and Kiaochau
This action is most appreciated
throughout the empire.
Japs Lost One Vessel.
A special to the London Chronicle
from Shanghai says: The japanese
troops on the transport Seanuki MARI
and Hakata Maru, which were laden
with munitions, arrived at Chemulpc
February Is. The Japanese are con
structing jetties at Chemulpo.
During the engagement on the 9th
the Japanese certainly lost one tor
pedo boat. Korea fishermen report
that the Japanese removed the fun
mel and masts from the wreck on the
10th, apparently with the idea of de-
stroying the evidence of the loss.
Russian Official Talks.
The opinion here is that Russia is
forcing China into the war.
Most of the heads Of the Russian de.
partments are now in Hardin. The
headquarters of Viceroy Alexieff are
at present in Mukden.
While France has acceded to the
British proposal for the extension of
neutrality by China to all points In
China leased by powers save those &C.
cupied by Russia, the foreign office
says that such action in nowise i'm.
pairs the rights of the powers under
their leases.