Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-03-31
q
lARtlI ADY
fOR BIG BAT TIE
HosTiLE FORCES NOW sEPA-
RATED ONLY BY THE
AMI RIVER.
Dfsul1oRy FIRING IS BEGUN
soUTH OF YALu in
STRONGER FORCE THAN
WAS THOUGHT.
ussIANs rlllAGf COUNTRY
HlNEsE EMPRESS vEroEs PRO-
PosAL TO TAKE SIDES
RUSSIANS PlllAGf COUNTRY
CHINESE EMPRESS vEToEs PRO-
PosAL TO TAKE SIDES
WITH JAPAN.

a AOhIoy VNdiSH ~. fISLuTUS 10 the
Japanese intelligence department
show that 4,50O Cossacks Of the Rus
sian infantry crossed the Yalu river
from Antung during the last five days.
The Russians are reported to be
holding the north bank and the Jap
anese the south bank Of the ANU ri'v-
er, where the latter have thrown up
intrenchments. The hostile forces
are thus face to face. and desultory
shots have already been exchanged.
Hitherto there has been but few cas-
ualties
Two detachments of Russian troops,
one estimated to number 500 and the
other 200 men, are reported to be pill
laying the country around Anju The
natives, in fear, are fleeing south.
Aniu Is forty miles north of Pingyang
and about sixty miles south of the
Yalu river.
Japanese scouts report that they
have discovered that the Russian
troops are south of the Yalu river in
much stronger force than was
thought.
The Russians are intrenching at An
tung, where they have ten guns. They
are daily sending soldiers in increas-
ing numbers to Liaoyang and are con-
centrating between Liaoyang and
Mukden. Their numbers are also be.
ing increased at Fenghwangchang
and Kiulecheng. The Jews are offer
ing financial help against Russia on
the eastern coast OF Korea
Empress Wants No Open ALLIANCE.
Shanghai, March 27.--The empress
dowager has negatived the proposal
made by Viceroy Yuanshikai and Gen.
Mayukun to conclude an open alliance
with Japan.
In view Of Russia's repeated viola
tions in Chinese territory west of the
Lao river, her majesty counsels pa
thence and firm attitude.
a Rritisher who was resident
some years Of Port Arthur and who
recently arrived at Shanghai gives a
roseate account of the-situation there.
He says the houses are too scattered
for the Japanese shells to do much
damage, and q large number of pro-
iectiles, being armor piercing, fail to
explode. The Retvizan Is the only
warship seriously injured, and the re-
mainder are being rapidly repaired.
The supplies are ample and the rail
way Is running freely
He considers the capture of Port
Arthur by assault impossible, anu TO
starve 1t out would be very difficult,
Russians Ignore Rights.
Neuchwang, March ~ The Liao
river became nayigable yesterday and
shipping agents have received notices
OF the departure of vessels from ports
along the entire coast Of China for
Neuchwang.
The Russian military authorities
have Issued an order regulating ship
ping at this port. The order provides
that all incoming vessels must anchor
five and one-half miles below the fort
and can proceed into the harbor only
between the hours of 6 q. m. and 6 p.
M, after undergoing an examination
of papers and cargo,
The merchants here are protesting
against the, order, In the hope that
Liz SUPP WIFI PCtiIklGSCNE W dnN}IiOti
within two miles of the foreign settle
ment before submitting to an exam
ination by the authorities. Although
further compromising the rights of
neutrals, the surveillance of ali ships
passing by the tiflcatfons Is consid-
cred by the authorities to be q neces-
sary military precaution
Americans Want Gunboat.
The American community passed 81
strongly worded resolution to the eft
feet that the retention Of United
States gunboat at Neuchwang is abso-
Iutely necessary for the preservation
OF their lives and property.
y There Is now only ii fittleIce on the
river and boats arc crossing Several
sJunks filed with Merchandise have
come UP. There have been no rains
for several days. A fresh battery OF
field artillery has arrived
IA civilian who arrived from Lao
yang reports he counted, 70, GOO troops
between that place and Eaichong.
Russian Plans Are Changed.
q ST. Petersburg, March 27s The mil
itarY press Is informed that RussiS's
war scheme Ii thoroughly changed
since Gen. Kuropatkin,s appointment
as commandef sinchief and the hold.
ing of the recent council Of war at
Mukden.
The change u rincipally due to the
fact that the Japanese successes at
sen have not been followed BY land
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