The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-02-19

tives Of fourteen powers attended
Secretary Hays weekly diplomatic
reception at the state department yes.
terday. All came to inquire about the
Far Eastern situation. and especially
about the secretary's note to the pow
ers. a, n
Great Britain has informed this gov
eminent Of her adherence to the prin-
ciple set forth in the note, but the
formal acceptance Of the London gov
eminent has not yet come.
The move made by Secretary Hay
In connection with the proposed neu-
tralization Of China has aroused the
greatest interest In diplomatic circles
here.
It was stated yesterday that some,
but not all. Of the countries i'd
dressed had replied. and that these
replies generally were favorable and
satisfactory. But it is declared to be
too early yet to publish the text Of
Secretary Hays note and any Of these
replies. It is intimated, however,
that this may be done as soon as the
negotiations on this point have been
concluded.
President Issues Proclamation.
Washington, Feb. 10. - President
Roosevelt yesterday issued procla-
nation declaring the neutrality Of
this government In the Russo.Japan-
est war.
Heavy Blow at Port Arthur.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 1.-THE follow
Ing ofhcial bulletin has just been Ia.
sued In the form of telegram from
Viceroy Alexieff's chief of stan. dated
Feb. 9:
"By order Of the viceroy beg to re-
port that this day at about II o'clock
in the morning a japanese squadron
consisting of about fifteen battleships
and cruisers approached Port Arthur
and opened fire. The. enemy was re-
ceived with a cannonade from the
shore batteries ond the guns of our
squadron, which also participated in
the engagement.
AT about midday the japanese
squadron ceased Its fire and left. pro-
ceeding south.
"Our losses'in the feet were two Of
hcers wounded, nine men killed and
forty-one men wounded. On the shore
batteries one man was killed and
three were wounded. The battleship
Peltava and the cruiser Novik each
had hole knocked in her side below
the water line. The forts were slight
ly damaged"
Story Of the Attack.
London, Feb. II. - In dispatch
from Chefu a correspondent of the
Daily Express says:
The Japanese have dealt, the Rus
slams crushing blow at Port Arthur.
An advance squadron of the Japanese
feet, under command of Vice Admiral
Togo. and comprising sixteen battle
ships and cruisers with numerous
torpedo fotilla. left the main feet of
shentung peninsula on Sunday, imme-
diately that the news of the diplo.
matte rupture became known.
''The Japanese scouting cruisers
had given accurate information of the
! precarious situation of the Russian
fleet outside Port Arthur. The squad
ron steamed slowly. and came in sight
OF Port Arthur under cover of dark
ness. It cruised slowly outside with
out showing lights. The Russians
were lying in the roadstead, apparent
ly feeling secure from attack. Nearly
all the Japanese torpedo boats were
dispatched on their dangerous and
daring task. They rushed full-steam
on the enemy. who
Were Completely Surprised.
A great rattle of small arms greeted
/. the invaders, who, however, escaped
unhurt. and the Retvizan, the Care.
vich and the Pallada were almost i'm
wediately torpedoed. The Japanese
dashed along the entire line of the
Russians, exposed now to terrible
fire from machine guns and small
arms from both the ships and the
shore. There was the utmost conster-
! nation among the Russians. which
probably accounts for the Japanese
torpedo boats escaping practically I'M
scathed and rejoining the admiral out.
side"
Lin Of battle was then formed and
the Japanese feet moved in within
q range of two and one-half miles and
opened fire on the Russians. The
booming of guns was heard far out to
sea by the officers and crew of jap
anese ship which has arrived here"
Toxic, Feb. 11.-Japan has seized
i Mesampho and dispatched a heavy
force there. Japan will fortify the
port and establish naval and mill
tary base there.
Mesampho is an exceedingly impor
tant point, as 1t controls the Korean
channel and is an excellent base fol
future operations.