The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-30
SUMTER. S. G. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 80. 1904

peninsula have been reinforced to an
extent which will render japanese
landing there difficult, if not impos-
sible, and the garrison at Port Arthur
has been amply provisioned to with
stand siege. So far as the peninsula
is concerned the preparations there
may now be regarded as complete.
TOGO REPORTS FIFTH ATTACK.
Toxic, March 24.-Vice Admiral
Togo's report of the fifth attack on
Port Arthur, which was made On
March %, reached Toxic tonight and
is as follows:
"The combined feet acted according
to the plan arranged.
1.-TWO fotillas of destroyers were
outside Port Arthur, as instructed,
from the night of the 2lst until the
morning of the 22nd. Although dur
ing this time our destroyers we're
under the fire of the enemy, they sus
tanned no damage. The main feet
arrived off Port Arthur at o'clock
on the morning Of the 22nd.
''I dispatched part of the fleet in
the direction of Pigeon bay. and
ordered the batsleships Full and
Yashinsha to make an indirect bonn
bardment against the inner side of the
port.e During the bombardment, the
enemy's ships gradually came out Of
the harbor, and at the time when the
indirect bolnbardment stopped, which
was about 2 o'clock. the number of
Russian ships was five battleships,
four cruisers and several destroyers.
We believed the enemy was trying
to make movement of their feet to
draw us near the forts. The enemy's
ships sbelled US Indirectly and many
of their shots fell near the battleship
Full, but our ships sustained no
damage. About 3 o'clock our vessels
withdrew off the port.
CHINA CHARGED WITH DULPI-
! CITY.
! st. Petersburg, March 24.-The war
Office is i'll receipt of persistent reports
that the Japanese are preparing to
land on neutral Chinese territory, on
the west coast of the gulf of Liao-
Tung. either at Tien Khan Cheng, in
Kin Chau bay, or at Shan Hal Kwan.
Although slow to believe that Japan
deliberately contempiates violation
of her pledge to respect neutral Chinese
territory, the reports received at the
ministry of war are so specific that
they compel consideration. The
presence Of disguised japanese soldiers
acting as spies along the Shan Hal
Kwan road has been established, and
Russian agents seems to coincide wish
other indications of an intended land
ing on the west coast Of the gulf OF
Liao Tung.
| The information conveyed by these
agents seem to coincide with other
information indicating complete
change in the japanese plan of cam
paign or Of it's entrance into second
stage practically involving the aban-
doDment of further heavy landings OF
troops in Corea.
According to adrices received by
the government there are only about
10, 600 japanese troops in the Hermit
Kingdom at present. The latest ad-
vices indicate That the japanese will
not send many more soldiers into
Corea. They may make a diversion
at Possiet bay in the direction OF
Vladivostock, but their main object
henceforth will be in the gulf of Lilac
Tung. The only two points feasible
fo- landing are Chin Wan Toa and
Tien Khan Cheng which are connected
b. rail respectively with Shan Hal
Kwan and Kaukiau on the Pekin rail
road a landing at either place will
give the japanese possession of a
splendid strategic line by which to
strike the Russian flank and if desir-
ed, to hold Pekin in subsection.
The Russians have little faith in the
Chinese generals. Ma and Mu, who
might disregard orders from Pekin
and join forces with the Japanese.
There is reason to affirm that the Rus
sian line of conduct in such contin-
gency has already been decided upon
in principle. The assurances obtained
from Pekin require that the Chinese
authorities should oppose with their
army such step on the part of Japan.
It is learned that the Russian mill
tary attache at Pekin is now at New
Chwang, watching the movements
of the Chinese troops.
BOTTLING UP PORT ARTHUR
London, March 25.-Ihe Daily
Telegraph publishes dispatch from
it's Toxic correspondent, under yester-
days date which says:
aOn the night of March % the Japa-
nese feet renewed the attempt to bot
tie up Port Arthur. Sixteen war ships
escorted seven merchant steamers to
the mouth of the harbor and, under
cover of the ombardment, the steam
ers ran in and were sr-nk in desired
positions. Three thcasand japanese
officers and blue jackets volunteered
for this duty. An official report is ex-
pected this evening"
Working Overtime.