The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-02-25
Cannonaling Heard.

SdhaOAAN--AAS, &1SdA "a.
Toxic, Feb. PA telegram from Mat
suye reports that calncnading was heard
Saturday morning of Shimonoseki, in
the north Of Shine oseki peninsula. The
peninsula lies midway be-
tween Toxic anC Nagasaki. near the
Corean straits. Tie principal cities are
Kobe and Osaka
The Japanese steamer Tamagawa
Yaru. when she arrived at Shimonoseki,
that she was followed seven
miles OF Fusan BY four warships. The
latter abandoned the chase near Tsus-
lima island.
Nothing Serious Reported.
Port Arthur, Feb 22-Sounds OF des-
ultory firing at sea are heard almost
nightly, and Sunday morning firing was
again heard This is doubtless due to
the attempted approach of Japanese tor
pedo boats. but nothing serious has de-
veloped. The garrison is in excellent
spirits aud is firmly convinced of the
Decisive Battle Expected.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 22.--The latest
news from the far east, which is notable
for it's scarcity, tells that decisive bat
tie on the Yalu is anticipated. All tele-
graphic dimes between Corea and Japan
are entirely in the hands of the latters
military authorities.
Chased by Russians.
Alden, Feb. 22.--The Peninsula and
Oriental company's steamer Mongolia
encountered on Saturday, 400 miles
north of Alden, Russian battleship and
four torpedo boat destroyers. After the
vain attempt of destroyer to cut off the
Mongolia all the warships gave chase,
but being unable to overtake her they
signalled her to stop. The Mongolia
obeyed and destroyer, after a close
scrutiny, signalled Beg to be excused. -
The fleet is evidently hoping to capture
Japanese ships.
Ordered to Leave Shanghai.
Shanghai. Feb. 22.-Urged by. the
---,----S1@:,Se r,e.s+ -rr,or,- that shas IGanen1
Japanese consul here the taotai ordered
the Russian gunboat Mandjurto leave the
harbor before five o'clock Sunday after
nosn, but the order was ignored. 1t is
said that a Japanese squadron has been
ordered to enforce the taotai's demand
and to enable Japan steamship COM
panies to resume service between Japan
and Shanghai.
Kuropatkin Appointed.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 22-The appoint
ment of Gen. Kuropatkin, who was on
Saturday relieved of his functions as
minister of war, to the chief command
of the Russian army in the far east was
gazetted Sunday morning. The appoint
ment Of Gen. Kuropatkin to direct COM
mand in the field has been received with
enthusiasm and his leadership inspires
complete confidence that there will be no
mistake and that Russian arms will be
carried to success on land. Gen. Kuro-
patkin will be accompanied to the front
by the Grand Dukes Boris, Alexis, Mich
olas and Michael Nikolaievich.
Russian Cruisers Sighted.
London, Feb. pa Russian squad
ron of four warships is in the Corean
straits and naval battle off Fusan is
believed to have been fought.
The Russian warships referred to may
be those of the Vladivostock fleet or four
cruisers which eluded the blockade at
Port Arthur. Unless they can be stopped
by superior japanese naval force they
are in a position to 90 an immense
amount CI damage to Japanese shipping.
cossacks Capture japanese.
st. Petersburg, Feb. ga dispatch
from Port Arthur Saturday says the
first land encounter occurred Friday
A picket of Cossacks attacked small
detachment OF Japanese troops on
Corean territory me Cossacks cap
tured some japanese prisoners, on
wnom they found maps and papers.
The collision was presumably be-
tween accommodating parties. A gen.
eral engagement is not anticipated. A
Special Port Arthur dispatch says the
Japanese fleet was observed February
1S cruising off that port
Sensational Story Denied.
With reference 10 the sensational
stories of a disaster 10 Russian troops
a. Lake Baikal Zone report saying that
three regiments we're drowned while
attempting TO cross the ice-covered
la,e) 1t is explained that the trans-Bai-
kal line was blocked at the Baikal sta
ton during the night OF February IS
by an avalanche OF snow which fell
from a neighboring mountain. A train
having troops on board dashed into the
obstruction, the locomotive was de-
rallied. and in the succeeding five cars
one soldier was killed, five severely
hurt and IA were slightly hurt Traf-
fic was expected TO be resumed the fol.
lowing day.
Says Reports Are Untrue.
Toxic, Feb. 22-The reports from va
rious quarters saying that Admiral To-
COS fleet was partly crippled in the OPP
erations at Port Arthur, are unfounded.
1t has been unnecessary to send a single
large ship to Sasebo for repairs. Two
torpedo boat destroyers have been dam
aged but not In fighting. The Akebonc