The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-19

not true any Japanese vessels had been
destroyed so far in any of the various
naval engagements and that all neces-
sary repairs had already been made.
The Japanese fleet remains intact.
This message also denies the report
that the Japanese were driven from
the neighborhood of Kinchow after q
skirmish in which $50 Japanese were
taken prisoners and declares the Japa-
nese made no attempt to land at Pig
con Bay. 1t says the Japanese forces
up to the present time have made no
attempt to land at any point where
they could come in contact with the
Russians, and that consequently all re-
ports of land actions and Japanese loss
es are untrue.
RUSSIAN RETREAT
Paris, Feb. 19.-Signiffcance is attached
to the Figaro's discussion of the possible
retreat of the Russian forces from Port
Arthur toward the north. The Figaro,
which is intensely pro-Russian and en-
joys the favor of the Russian court,
says:
The Russian note explaining the de-
lays in the military operations has had
the effect of confirming Viceroy Alexief's
plan to withdraw northward toward
Mukden and Hardin
The military editor of the Figaro de-
clares this would be wise and tactical
movement as the Russian troops are
better able to make a stand further
north.
FRENCH NEUTRALITY.
Paris, Feb. LIT is announced off
eially that the French government has
issued instructions relative to the OBJ
servanoe of neutrality, and that prac-
tically they are the same as those issued
concerning the observance of neutrality
during the Spanish-American war but
it is pointed out that the French navi-
cation laws contain no positive require
ment that belligerent ships shall leave
a neutral port within "a hours, and that
therefore this matter is one Of regulation
by custom, instead of being a legal re-
quirement as under the British naviga-
ton laws.
No change has yet been announced
relative to permitting the Russian
squadron to remain at Jibutil French
Somaliland, the authorities evidently
being DESTROYS to fully observe the re-
quirements of neutrality without un-
necessarily causing offense or embar-
rassment to a power with which France
is closely allied
ISSUE OF WAR MONEY.
New York, Feb. 19.-The japanese
government has decided, says a Herald
dispatch from Seoul, to issue special
paper money for military use through
out Korea, redeema.ble in gold coin.
HARD TIMES IN MANCHURIA.
Hardin, Manchuria Feb. 1S.-The
Russian troops are concentrated in the
lower Yalu river valley. Everybody is
in high spirits and daily expecting re-
Inducements.
Russian families are leaving Man
churia owing to the dearness of provi-
sions, all of which are required for the
troops. The Manchurian, and especi-
ally the trans-Baikal railroads can moi
cope with the demands for transporta-
ton. Women and children are unable
to get trains and many are waiting a
the stations, suffering from cold an6
hunger.
The rise in prices is due to some ex.
tent to the fall in the value of paper
money, which in some places is alto
gether refused. 1t is expected tina.
there will be sufficient supplies O
bread, meat, butter, petroleum and. fod
der, but not enough sugar, preserved
meats and linen, and that there will
be a great scarcity Of boots. 1t is no
to be expected that such stores car
arrive for some time.
The Manchurian railway Officials
have applied for extra allowances o
pay.
CENSORSHIP ABOLISHED.
@ Petersburg. Feb. 19.-The Rus