Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-04-15
WAR NFWS FROM FAR EAST
RuMoRS OF A BIG VICTORY FOR
THE RUSSIANS

way to Harbin-Whoie Squadron
Bound for Port erthur-Heavy Rains
Make the Country a Marsh.
A dispatch to the London Express
from Tientsin says it is reported from
Mukden that two trains containing a
large number of Russians who were
wounded in an engagement on the
Yalu river, have passed through Muk
den en- route to Hardin.
A dispatch from Chefoo says that II
battleships and cruisers. 20 steamers
and Il torpedo boat destroyers have
passed Chefoo apparently bound for
Port Arthur.
The London Nails Yinkow cores
pondent has arrived here from Ching
Wang Tan. Recent heavy rains have
converted the country into marsh,
hundreds of miles being under water,
military operations being impossible
for some time. The utmost indiffer-
ence is shown by the natives to the
war
Rumors of Big Victory.
st. Petersburg-The rumors which
were persistently circulated through
out the capital on Saturday to the eff
feet that Vice Admiral Makaroff had
succeeded in capturing or sinking sew
eral Japanese transports which were
en- route to Chemulpo were renewed
again, with even stronger force. on
as to declare that when the true facts
were known would more than Offset
all previous Japanese victories.
All attempts to trace the origin of
the rumors or to secure an expression
of opinion in official quarters has prov.
en- futile. In fact, 1t is most certain
that no such news has been received
from either Admiral Makaroff or Gen
eral Kouropatkin, but, nevertheless,
there is an air of suppressed excite
ment about the city. and crowds re-
main about the bulletin boards where
the official messages are displayed,
hoping for something definite on the
subject.
Baltic Squadron Hestates.
The St. Petersburg correspondent of
the Petit Parisienne cables an inter
view he had with Admiral Rosjestven-
sky. chief Of the general staff of the
navy, in the course of which the ad-
miral admitted that he had been offer
ed and had accepted the command of
the Baltic squadron, adding that he
was not certain whether the squadron
would go to the far east.
Questioned concerning the Japanese
tactics, the admiral said: "Vice Ad
miral Togo is quite likely to remain
faithful to his plans, although the ap-
pearances are against him. We know
from a sure source that he is certain
he can repair his vessels and renew
his supplies, even of heavy artillery, If
needful"
The admiral expressed regret that
Russia did not take the initiative in
attacking, even in sacrificing her fleet
If thereby she could cripple the Japan
ese navy.
Russia Recruiting Men.
Two Russian army corps are to
be modified during May. One of these
will have headquarters at and will be
drafted from Moscow and the surround
ing towns, while the other will come
from Siberia.
Russians Left Korea.
Dispatches to London from various
points agree that the Russians have
completely evacuated Korea, but be-
yond this there is little reliable news.
The Japanese ridicule the idea of
the Russian Baltic sea squadron ever
reaching the far east. and do not be-
lieve that it will ever make the at
tempt
Typhoon in Port Arthur Seas.
We have been port bound for three
days, owing to a severe typhoon. Be
cause of the extremely rough condi.
tions of the sea. it Is certain that there
have been no naval operations since
last Thursday.
The generally anticipated attack on
Port Arthur did not occur Sunday
night, although telegram received
from Grand Duke Cyril reports that
the enemy's ships were sighted on the
horizon. 1t is presumed that the Jap
anese were warned of the extra pre-
cautions which had been taken to
guard against surprise.
There was no Easter merrymaking
at the front. BY special dispensation
the soldiers and sailors there were re
lieved of any religious services. Ad-