Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-02-25
ex1e Foryine Harbor and Preparing the Place as the
81 Base OF Large Army-port Arthur and Peninsula
Practically Abandoned.
100000 Russian Soldiers Will be in Manchuria Within Twelve
Days-Acxieff Will Wait Until Spring and Then Ad-
With Overwhelming Force
Russian Troops Arc Said be Advancing on Seoul Korea and
Strong Position at pineyang Has Been Occupied by
Ihem-Japan Garrison Reinforced

Gus quantity Happily the armies in
some localities will be able to follow
! the courses of the frozen rivers.
Chinese Troops Are Massng.
Changwantsu, Feb 20. = A general
mass of Chinese troops has com
menced. Large bodies of infantry are
arriving by special trains in order to
guard the railway, this being in ac-
cordance with a promise given the
British minister.
The Japanese hold complete COM
mand of the china sea and the Gulf
OF Pechili Passengers arriving from
Ilen-tsin report that Japanese war
ships stop and examine the steamers
OF every nationality for contraband
Port Arthur Practically Besieged.
Poris, Feb. 20-An eminent military
authority connected with one of the
embassies said that Port Arthur is
practically besieged, and it was a seri-
Gus question whether this would not
compel either the abandonment or the
surrende ofthe fortress, with its
men and material. The ground for
this belief was stated as follows:
Admiral Togo's ships, on the watch
at the entrance Of the port prevent in
gress or egress, thus establishing a
virtual blockade and cutting off the
chances Of relief from seward. The
Japanese troops near Newchwang and
other points on the Liaotung PENN
sula are able to interrupt the railroad
forming the line of communication
and supplies between Port Arthur and
Hardin. The result is the gradual in
vestiture of Port Arthur within the
Japanese naval and military lines. 1t
will require bold action on the part
of the Russian forces to prevent the
final accomplishment of the investi
ture and slow reduction of Port Ar
thur.
A Russian officer at ST. Petersburg
telegraphs the Figaro that the where
abouts of Viceroy Alexieff have been
unknown for three days and that the
official kilograms have been received
without signature.
Something Due Near Seoul.
Seoul, Feb. 20.-Interest in the sit
uation is now centered north of this
town. All is quiet here.
The Russian wounded who were
taken on board the French warship
Pascal have, it is stated, been badly
treated from medical point of view.
Out of twenty-four wounded who were
transferred to the Mission hospital at
Chemulpo, five are suffering from
gangrene and some of the wounds
have not been properly cleansed.
The Japanese women at Chemulpo
have organized voluntary nursing
service for the Russian wounded, and
they are showing great devotion.
Russians Occupy Pingyang.
London, Feb. 20. = The Telegraph's
correspondent at Toxic, on Thursday,
cables:
Reports received here from Korea
tonight state that the Russian troops
are advancing toward Seoul, and that
strong position at Pingyang has
been occupied by them. Their pres
ent movements, however, do not indi-
cate any immediate intention of at
lacking the Korean capital. The Jap.
anese garrison at Seoul has been
greatly strengthened during the past
few days.
Another Russian Ship Gone.
Toxic, Feb 20.-,-There is great re-
joicing here over report of Admiral
Togo, telling of tae successful attack
on Port Arthur on Sunday, Feb. IA.
All the newspapers issued extras,
giving the text of the report.
The Japanese torpdo flotilla, which
was ordered to make the attack, be-
came separated in a severe snow
storm on the way to Port Arthur.
Only two boats-the Hayatori and the
Asagiri- to reach their desti-
nation early Sunday morning. The
Asagiri, under the command Of Com
mander Ishikawa, reconnoitered the
waters about the entrance of the
harbor, and, paying no attention to
the vigorous fire directed on it by the
forts and scout boats. succeeded in
Torpedoing One Warship.
When the Hayatori, in charge of
Commander Takenouchi, arrived, it
steamed close enough to the Russian
vessels to recognize two warships.
Discharging torpedo at one of these
ships, Commander Tagenouchi waited
until he saw the Russian ship blow