The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1904-02-17

Official announcement made TO other
governments that war has been be-
gun. There was nothing treacherous
d. improper in the Japanese torpedo
ittack upon the Russian ships at Pert
AIthur'
Naval Battle at ChemuIpo.
A dispatch from Chemulpo gives the
following account of the destruction of
the Russian cruiser Variag and gun
boat KorietZ.
The Japanese fleet, commanded by
Admiral Uriu on the flagship Adneuma,
arrived at noon and sent a wireless
telegram to the Japanese cruiser
Chigoda, which was lying at anchor
between the Variae AMI Korietz, to
join the fleet outside. the Russians
found themselves trapped.
Admiral Uriu then signalled giving
the Russians five minutes in which to
surrender. The Russians ignored the
demand and the Japanese opened fire
a brisk engagement lasting two hours
followed.
The Russian vessels, getting the
worst of an encounter in which the
odds were overwhelmingly against
them, steamed back into the harbor.
The Variag, which was badly injured.
listed heavily.
After two hours the Russians at
tempted TO break through the Jap.
anese fleet which was encountered
four miles from the inner harbor A
fierce fight followed. The Russian
vessels were badly damaged.
The Korietz was blown up, presum-
ably by its own crew in order to es-
cape capture. A portion of the crew
was rescued by the French and Italian
vessels in the harbor.
The Variag tried to escape but sud
denly an explosion was heard and the
Variag was seen to sink. Whether she
was sunk by a Japanese shell or by
her own crew is not known. The
United States gunboat Vicksburg and
the British cruiser Talbot witnessed
tie battle.
The position of the wrecks appear
to be such that it will be easy to re-
cover the guns. The Russian losses
were one officer and 40 men killed and
AGA wounded
Port Arthur Is Cut Off.
The correspondent of the Lon
don Daily Express at Pekin, in
cablegram dated Feb u. reports
that Viceroy Alexieff is practically is.
olated, direct communication between
Port Arthur and Vladivostock being
suspended He adds that the railroad
behind Port Arthur has been blown up
and that G,000 Japanese troops have
landed near Dairy.
A statement that China will main
tain neutrality is published in Peln.
It is reported from Tsin Tsin that
all foreigners and civilians have been
ordered to leave Port Arthur.
1t is also reported that the Siberian
railroad has been wrecked in six
places, covering distance of 70
miles.
The Tien Tsin correspondent of the
Standard under date of Feb. II says
the British. American, French, Ger
man and Italian ministers have Jointly
notified the Russian and Japanese
ministers that no hostilities will be-
allowed on Chinese soil, outside of
Manchuria.
British Ship Fired On.
The British steamer Flu Ping, leaving
ort Arthur, was fired upon by Rus
slams. Three Chinese members of the
crew were wounded The Russians
afterwards apologized for firing on the
vessel.
The Flu Ping upon its arrival at Wei
Hal Wei filed a protest with the Brit
isb commissioner
Japanese Repulsed.
Official advices state that the Jap
anese landed GOO soldiers near Talien
Wan with disastrous results, 40 be-
ing sabred by Cossscks. Theremainder
escaped to their ships. 1t is further
stated that the Japanese landed at
Dove bay, where sc of them were
killed and the remainder retreated.
PIannino New Baltimore