davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
JAPS SINK STEAMERS
Vice Admiral Advises Tokyo
of Tuesdays Attack.
CREWS WERE RESCUED
FURIOUS COMPARTMENT BY
BOTH SIDES AT LONG RANGE.
Sinking of the Boats Failed to Block
Channel-Russian Torpedo De-
stroyer is Sunk.

TOKYO. February 27.-The official report
of the attempt made last Tuesday night to
block the harbor of Port Arthur reached
Tokyo last night friday. The report was
written by Vice Admiral Kamimura, divis-
ion commander under Admiral Togo.
The report reeites that at certain point
near Port Arthur Tuesday evening a num-
Der OF merchant steamers escorted by a
torpedo fotilla Were dispatched for the pur-
pose of closing the entrance to the harbor.
The torpedo fotilia reioned the feet at
10 am. Wednesday at sea at a rendezvous
previously agreed upon and reported that
the steamer Hokoku Maru had been sunk
at the foot of the light house on the left
side of the entrance The Bushiu was sunk
outside beyond the Hokoku Maru. The
Tenshin Maru the Buoy Maru and Jinsen
Maru were sunk at the foot of Laotche hill
almost side by side.
All the above mentioned steamers were
sunk by their own crews who were an
safely rescued. The torpedo fotilIa was
unharmed
The torpedo fiotila also reported that
1t discovered the Russian cruisers Ravan
and Noyik, together with a few destroyers.
In the outer harbor After the fiotilla re-
joined 1t the main fleet advanced slowly
on Fort arthur, where 1t found the Rus
san cruisers Bayan, Askold and Novik
slowly moving about the outer harbor un-
der cover of the batteries.
bombardment began at long range,
and at 11:45 am. all the ships and Dat
ter1es We're responding vigorously. Short
ly after noon the Novik retreated into the
inner harbor The Askold and Bayan
quickly following. demonstrated that the
sinking of the steamers had not blocked
the entrance of the harbor
bombardment of the inner harbor was
then ordered and for fifteen minutes all
the heavy guns of the japanese fleet threw
shells over the hills into the harbor. The
Japanese were unable to determine the
effect of the borbardment, but saw huge
columns of smoke arising from time to
time
In the meantime the japanese cruiser
squadron discovered two Russian torpedo
destroyers at the foot of I.aotche Hin and
gave chase. One of the destroyers es-
capped. but the other was pursued into
Pigeon bay, where it was sunk. Vice Ad-
miral kammura reports that the japanese
sustained no damage and did not lose
single man.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
GUARDING THE IsTHMUs.
Admiral Walker Believes That Several
Hundred Marines Will Do.

Admiral Walker, who will be president of
the new Panama canal commission, does
not approve of the immediate use of
United States troops on the isthmus He
has told the President that 800 or 400 ma
rines will serve all present needs in that
quarter. This may affect the orders to the
Sd Infantry to proceed to the isthmus
Lieutenant General Chaffee had selected
that regiment to relieve the marines on
the isthmus at the instance of the Navy
Department.
But that request was based upon the sup
position that 1t would be necessary to con-
t1nue the force on the isthmus at it's pres
ent strength of about 1000 men. The ma
r1nes were wanted elsewhere, some at
Guantanamo and some in the Philippines,
and the department could not spare the
L. 400 men who had been guarding the line
OF the Panama railroad. But when the
demand for guards was reduced to 400 this
could be granted, and the War Depart
ment was so informed The Sd Infantry
had been notified to be in readiness for
service on the isthmus, but final orders had
never been given That is the present situ-
alton. The Sd stands ready to go to Pam
anna whenever troops are required there
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
FIGHT At PIGEON BAY
London Reports News Of a
Terrific Contest.
IT LASTED % MINUTES
JAPS EXECUTED ANOTHER TRICK
MANEUVER.
IT LASTED % MINUTES
A Running Engagement, Both Sides
Firing Constantly-Russian Torpedo
Boats Protected by Forts.
Special Dispa;ch 10 The Evening Star.

Special Dispa;ch TO The Evening Star
NEW YORK, February PA cablegram
from London says that dispatches received
there today show that a terrific fight oc-
Cured at Pigeon bay between four cruisers,
detached from Togos squadron at Port
Arthur and two Russian torpedo boats
stationed N the bay.
The fight continued twenty-five minutes,
at the expiration of which time the Japa-
pese withdrew. The Japanese cruisers ex-
ecuted trick by which they stood between
tie land and the two Russians in the bay.
1t was running fight, the two torpedo
boats firing constantly and the Japanese re-
plying stoutly with avalanche of pro-
jectiles
Many shots on both sides went wild. The
torpedo boats finally got under the protec-
ton of the forts, and the japanese with
drew. The extent of damage sustained by
the combatants is unknown
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
GEN. WOODS NOMINATION.
The Senate Military Committee Will
Take It Up Next Week.

The Senate committee on military affairs
VIII at Its meeting next week take up the
nomination of General Leonard Wood. The
nomination would have come up during the
present week. but Senator Blackburn be-
ing called out of the city and wishing to
say something about the nomination of
General Wood. it was decided in Difference
to his wish to defer action. Senator Scott
Will also have something further to say at
the next meeting in opposition to confirma-
ton.
General Woods friends expect to have a
favorable report on his nomination in the
near future.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
EMPEROR WILLIAMS TRIP.
His First Extensive Voyage in Modern
Passenger Steamer.

BERLIN. February 2T.-Emperor William
has never travelled far in modern pas
senger steamer. and that fact is given as
the reason for his taking the North German
Lloyd steamer Koenig Albert on his twelve
days trip to the Mediterranean. His mai
esty has rather suddenly decided not to call
at Antwerp at all. No explanation is made
OF this change in the plans. The emperor
will go from Bremen Haven to vigo Spain.
direct. At the latter place King Carlos of
Portugal will doubtless meet him. and to
Gibraltar. where he will stay two days. His
majesty viii see the fortress Tor the first
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
AT HARMONY
Presidents Recent Acts Fa-
vorably Commented On.
TO WIPE OUT FACTIONS
THE CALLING OF SENATOR SCOTT
INTO POLITICAL COUNCIL.
Designation Of Elmer Dover as Secre-
tary of National COMMITTEES Said
to Have Been by President.

Republican politicians at the Capitol are
commenting favorably upon President
Roosevelt's recent efforts to encourage har-
nony within the republican, ranks, asseyi-
denced by his cordial recognition of the
element which heretofore has been more
closely associated with what was called
the Hanna faction. The Presidents ap-
parent determination to ignore faction, to
deny the existence of hostile element, as
shown by his present attitude toward the
so-called Hanna adherents, is noted. with
genuine approval by senators and repre-
sentatives. -
The President has gone.out Of his way
to extend the olive branch. they say, and
they believe the results will be beneficial
to the party. Two notabis instances are
cited. the summoning of Senator Scott into
the political councils of the admisistratio
and the designation of Elmer Dover to De
secretary or the national committee. 1t is
known that the President has in other
ways that have not been the subject of
pubic comment. intimated his friendly atti-
tude toward other men who hitherto have
been counted in the ranks offthe opposition
faction
Harmony His Object.
Harmony is believed to be his object
and it is said that undoubtedly by his
ditions.
Politicians place considerable significance
in the Presidents hobnobbing with Sena-
tor Scott of West Virginia. fIfs there was
one man in the country who was the rep
resentative Of what was terrnedstise Hanna
faction 1t was Senator SeottS As between
Senator Hanna and the Twelve Apostles
Senator Scott would have been Tor Hanna
1t Is said In senatorial circiea that the
president wants to wipe out tbs sMnes be-
tween the supposititious Roo6evefts faction
ana so-cailed Hanna faction, sand to do
so by asking Senator Scott to give the
party the benefit of his affriee and po-
htical experience in the conlir1fs campaign
One friend of the President said that
the President is not askint, sloSnlty to
Roosevelt, but aid for thesrenubiicAn party
ana assistance In wag1ng successful re-
publican campaign.
Mr.. Dover's Selection.
Among politicians the selection of Mr.
Dover, which is said to have been by drec-
ton of the President is regarded as sa-
gacious stroke Of politics. Mr. Dovers re-
lations to the whole Hanna faction were so
peculiarly intimate that his invitation to
join the political councils Of the administra-
ton Is susceptible Of only one construc-
tion, cordiaf recognition of the Hanna men,
and, inueed. IS SO construed by politicians.
tion of harmony.
when MT. Dick comes to the senate 1t is
expected from intimat;on already gwen
tnat ne Will be recognized by the adminis-
uati0n in signal manner. He will as
suredly be asked to participate ia the u,an-
aSement o1 the campaign Ia an advisory
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
TO MOVE WHITE HOUSE STABLES
An Appropriation of $4,000 Desired
for Site and New Building

At the instance of Col. Symons the his
torical White House stables are to be
moved. A short time ago the War Depart
ment submitted an estimate of 100000 for
the improvement of the stables. Subse-
quently decision was reached to move
the stables entirely from their present loca-
ton. 1t was thought that they were too
near to the beautiful Corcoran Art Gallery
and to the site of the projected new build
ings of the Columbian University and to
one of the suggested sites Of the Grant
statue. AS the buildings had to be con-
structed In any case, Col. Symons sug-
gested their removal to new site, probably
somewnere west OF 18th street. To carry
out this plan Secretary Taft has lust sent
to Congress an additional estimate of
10000, which, making the total appropria-
ton $4,000, vii. suffice for the purchase Of
new site and the erection of new stables
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
COACHES FOR SIBERIAN LINE.
Reasons for Slavs' Indifference
Speculation Over Japs' Designs.

ST. PETERSBURG February 27-Two
thousand cars from the Russian European
system, especially fitted for the transpor-
tation of troops, are being sent to the
Siberian line
Alexandrovsky, who IS to take charge Of
the Red Cross field work in the far east,
left for the front today.
The Novoe Vremya says the Slav pro-
Russian demonstrations indicate the will
lingness of the Slavs to come under the
Russian standard adding:
Their hesitation would finally be over
come if Russia would be less uncom-
promising on the questions of orthodoxy
and autocraey, as the Slavs enjoy consti-
fut1onal government, and in many cases
do not belong to the Greek churches
The Novoe Vremya hopes the Panslavist
Union will settle the near east question
once for all in favor of Russian aspira-
tiCns.
Prince Arsent karageorgevitch, brother
of the King of Servia, has been gazetted
captain of trans-Baikal Cossacks
Motive for Repeated Attacks.
The desperate manner in which the Japa-
nese are returning to the attack at Port
Arthur, in spite of their repeated repulses,
has convinced the military authorities here
that their main objective for the present
is to hopelessly cripple the Russian fleet,
in order to secure absolute freedom in the
Decentralization of troops. For this reason
the Russian commander is carefully guard
ing against exposing his ships keeping
them in the harbor, under the gune of the
fortifcationS.
Doubt as to Jap Designs.
doubt exists as to whether the Japa-
nese really design to land near Port Ar
thur and invest the city The authorities
admit they are considerably mystified. but
the prevailing opinion continues to be that
the Japanese will not hazard landing at
this stage of the campaign. 1t is pointed
out that owing to the conformation of the
shores the only suitable landing places near
Port Arthur are we'll within the range or
the batteries. and that if a landing is at
tempted on the northern part OF the PENN
Sula, the Japanese transports will be I'M
able to come close to land, and that on ac-
count of the shelving of the shore the
troops would have to march miles through
mud and low water, exposed to a CALLING
off-shore fire.
Operations Around Vladivostok.
No news is being received here concern
ing the operations around Vladivostok,
whence, under the viceroy's orders, tele-
grams are forbidden except from officers
to their families, and then only with the
approval of the military censor The exact
whereabouts of the Russian Vladjyostok
squadron is not known, but it is presumed
to be in the harbor.
Eastern War Notes.
In accordance with an order just received
miralty. the Canadian Pacific steamships
of the Empress Line, plying between Vic
toria and oriental ports, have shipped their
6-inch guns and are now armed cruisers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
JAPs MAKE FUTILE ATTACK.
Scene of Action Cut in Twain - Ma.
neuvers Seemed Defective

ST. PETERSBURG. February 27.-The
Port Arthur correspondent of the Russ tele-
graphs as follows: 'On the morning of Feb
ruary % a Japanese Squa adron, consisting of
six battleships and four light cruisers ap-
peared on the horizon. The Russian cruis-
ers Askold, Bayan and Novik were in the
outer harbor. The Japanese ships upon at
tanning a position within thirty-fiye cable
lengths tabout four and one-quarter miles)
OF the Russian ships, opened an attack
At this time two of our torpedo boats
We're returning to our ships from Pigeon
bay. All the japanese cruisers attemnted
10 cut them off: nevertheless one of the tor
pedo boats succeeded in reaching Port Ar
tHur. While the other turned back The
scene OF the battle was thus cut in two
.ns Japanese battleships cannonading the
Asholu BaSan and Novik which was sup
ported Dy the batteries and the cruisers mr.
SUNG the Russian torpedo boat which en-
tered Pigeon bay 80
cannonadlng Lasted Forty Minutes.
ne cannonade lasted forty minutes and
several Shells fell at various points in the
ioittess- one Chinaman was morta1Iv
"oui4oed Dy splinter and one by a shell
III yesterdays affair the maneuyers of
.ne japanese appeared to be defective.
w W iiie turning back to sea the japanese hat
&c, sinps got punched and our ships did not
- ~ tahe advantage of this fact rrbev
opened a running fire and one could claarIy
see shells bursting amidst the tremendous
target. ~ '-eiieiioous
A Clumsy Maneuver.
lhis clumsy maneuver on the part of the
japanese is considered as affordine weipbtv
reason for the belief that the enemy's losses
were heavy.
japanese torpedo boat lies ON a bank
OH Fort White Wolf. 1t is apparently one
OF those which participated In the night at
tack with the freighters.
cloSe nearing our cannonading, but
without knowing the occasion of it,
Kuropatkin Gets an Ovation.
PSkOV, Russia, February 27.-General
huropatkln, the commander -in-chief of the
Russian army in the far east, who arrived
here today to bid farewell to his aged
mother before leaving for the far east. re-
ceiVed an ovation at the railroad station.
where he was greeted by the governor and
deputations from the nobility, the Zemetvo
the city officials and the commanders of the
troops garriSoned here.
General Kuropatkin will start for the
front in about ten days.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
SENTENCES IMPOSED
Defendants in Post Office Case
Given Two Years Each.
ALSO A FINE OF $4,000
NOTICE GIVEN OF APPEAL TO
COURT OF APPEALS.
Samuel Groff's Counsel Moves for New
Trial-Arguments to Be
Heard Next Week.
ALSO A FINE OF $4,000

5ustice Pritchard this afternoon sen-
fenced Machen DiIIeT B. Croft and Loren2
each to two years Imprisonment in the
penitentiary and to pay a fine of $4,000
each. The court decided to make the sev-
eral counts in the indictment constitute
one offense. The case of Samuel A. Croft
has not been decided. The beginning of
their penitentiary sentence is to date from
the time of their arrival at the peniten-
tlary.
All of the defendants Were released on
20,0Oo each pending action on the appeal.
Mr. Machen's sureties are o. G. Staples
and David Moore of this city. The suretes
for Lorenz are r. Marshall of this city and
A. E. Baker of Toledo; for ID. b. Croft.
s. A. Drury and Thos. H. Pickford
Attorney C. A. Douglass, representing the
defense, noted an appeal to the Court of
Appeals of the District of Columbia. JUS
tice Pritchard instructed the clerk of the
court to note the appeal.
Attorneys for the government announced
that they will push the ease and have it
ready for trial before the Court of Appeals
at the earliest possible moment,
A notice of request for new trial and
arrest of judgment in the case of Samuel
A. Croft was given, and his case will come
UP within four days. The SuretieS who re-
Gently gave bond for his appearance re-
newed the bond pending further proceed
ingS.
Guilty as indicted" was the verdict that
was last night rendered as the final chapter
in the now famous trial of August w. Ma
chen, George E. Lorenz Diller b. Croft and
Samuel y. Croft. on charges of conspiring
to defraud the government through the sale
to the government of the Croft fastener for
letter boxes. The verdict apples with equal
force and significance to each and all of
the defendants.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
The Mayflower at Guantanamo

The Secretary OF the Navy has been ad-
vised OF the arrival at Guantanamo of the
Presidents yacht Mayfiower with Admiral
Dewey. the general board of the navy, and
Assistant Secretary Loonlis of the State De-
partment on board. After witnessing the
winter maneuvers of the North Atlantic
fleet and visiting the proposed naval sta
tions In that quarter she will return with
her passengers to this city.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
ain, has left ST. Petersburg on his return

''f' T1'''' 10I' h0' 1e1 ',7e 3 OH 111'
to London.
cablegram from London says that opin-
ion is gaining ground there that the Russo
Japanese war will be long one. The most
favorable estimate today is two years, and
four is regarded as not extravagant Me-
diation may be offered after a first decisive
land or sea battle, and it is thought Rus
sia would accept. But no Briton believes
Japan can be held back, and every Briton
processes to be confident of her ultimate
victory. Britain apprehends French COM
plications with Japan, due to some rash act
of the Japanese affecting French possess
sions within extending area of military
operations.
cablegram from st. Petersburg saws
that hordes of armed Siberian natives are
entering Thibet, proclaiming their inten-
ton of protecting Dalai Iona against the
Angio-Indian expedition under Colonel
Younghusband, sent by the British govern
ment. 20
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
Jap Fleet Came Closer.
DENIED AT PARIS.
Japanese Minister at Seoul Never Made
the Request.

PARIS. February 27.-There is no truth
in the report, published in London, and
which originated in the Novi-Krai Of Port
Arthur, that the Japanese minister at
Seoul. Korea, had requested the Korean
government to hand the French minister
his passports. The foreign office received a
dispatch today from the French representa-
tive at Seoul, who does not allude to any
such incident.
Returns to His London Post.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
NEW YORK. February 27.-A cable-
gram from London says dispatch from
st. Petersburg reports that Count Bencken-
dorff, Russian ambassador to Great Brit
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27

capacity, and probably in an executive po-
sition in the national committee also. Mr..
Dicks elevation to the Senate was in the
interest Of harmony in Ohio, and the pac.-
fication is expected to extend to national
politics also.
Republicans are congratulating them
selves that prospects of harmony and
united action are brighter than they have
been for months. and promising even better
things for the future
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
warships Sail From Colon.

Under instr'ftions from the Navy Depart
ment the gunboats Nashville and Bancroft
and the protected cruiser Atlanta have left
Colon for Guantanamo to participate in the
winter naval maneuvers now being held by
the North Atlantic fleet in West Indian
waters.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
Obliged to Accept a War.

nation was obliged to accept a war
when legitimate defense of honor and lib
erty was involved. The just Providence
which ruled over battles would distinguish
between right and unfounded pretensions
At the end of this war between European
and an Asiatic people the right, he con-
cluded would shine out afresh.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
Kuropatkin Gets an Ovation,
ALExIEFF REPORTS.
Sends Gear His Version of Latest Jan
Attack

ST PETERSBURG. February 27.-The
czar has received the following from Vice
roy AleXieff dated Port Arthur, February
26:
After the moon had set early in the
morning of February %. the Retvizan re-
PEELED several attacks by the enemy's tor
pedo boats. two of which are believed to
have sunk in the open sea. Our torpedo
boats, under Captain of the First Rank
Matuszvitch and Captain of the Second
Rank Prince Lieven. unsupported, encoun-
tered and pursued the enemy's torpedo boat
hotilla. They sighted no large warships.
Later in the morning of February % the
cruisers Bayan. Diana. Askold and Novik
were sent out to prevent the Japanese
cruisers from pursuing a portion of our re-
turning torpedo boat fotilla. One of our
torpedo boats. which was cut off by four
Japanese cruisers. sought shelter in Dove
Bay. where it subjected to a long-dis-
tance fire by the enemy. 1t had no casual
ties
Jap Fleet Came Closer.
'rhe Japanese fleet on sighting our cruis-
ers came in closer to the forts, which to-
gether with our warships, opened fire at
1850. Our cruisers. still firing, entered the
harbor. which our torpedo boats had al
ready safely reached.
'The enemy's shells for the most part fell
short One seaman was wounded, but we
sustained no other casualties.
''rhe Japanese fleet consisted of seven
teen large warships and eight torpedo
boats, whereas the squadron which at
thur on the previous day had twelve tor
pedo boats
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
''Sinister Acts of War;

NJ Muravieff, in the course of his re-
marks, said the findings of the tribunal
had been reached after a most minute and
most impartial investigation. Like all hu-
man acts, the decision was susceptible OF
criticism; but now 1t was made, every one
should accept it. The arbitration, begun
in times of peace, had ended amid the sim
lister acts of ar which was terrible OBJ
stacle in the path of light and progress
In spite of all good will, alas no one was
secure against an unexpected hostile at
t.,clx
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
JAPs TO LODGE COMPLAINT.
Demur to Language Used by President
of Hague Tribunal,

THE HAGUE. February 27-Mitsuhashi
Noboukata, the Japanese minister here,
has been instructed by his government to
lodge a protest with the president Of the
council of the permanent court Of arbitra-
ton against the language used by M Mu-
ravieff, president of the arbitration tri-
bunal and Russian minister of Justice in
a speech he made after announcing the
tribunals decision in favor of the blockad-
ing powers as against Xenezuela
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
The Capitol a Total Loss.

Col. Casson, sci geant-at-arms of the
House, and formerly secretary of state of
Wisconsin, today received a telegram from
the mayor of Madison announcing that the
capitol building would be a total loss
Nothing was said about the fate of the
records and the valuab BILE law library of the
supreme court.
The Wisconsin delegation in Congress
deeply deplored the loss of the historic
structure,