Willmar tribune., 1904-03-02
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF
PORT ARTHUR ATTACK
Toxic Dispatch Declares the Plan of
Blockading Entrance to Port Ar
thur Was Successful-Stirring Ap-
peal of the Gear to the Army.

CONSERVATION among the European
civilians residing on the line of march,
Though there is road of some sort
running up from Possiet bay to Kirin,
It is yet hard to see how the transport of
large army can be worked along it, as
there are no parallel roads available for
great distance and the problem would
be one of immense difficulty for the
Japanese staff.
Aiming at Vladivostok.
In view of these difficulties the most
obvious explanation of the japanese
movement would be that their force was
selling and securing an advanced base
tor the purpose of operation against
Vladivostok
Possiet bay is in Russian Manchuria,
about 80 miles southwest of Vladivostok
Hunchan is on the left bank of the
Tumen river and about 40 miles to the
west of Possiet bay. Kirin is big Man.
churian town, and lies about 22O miles
inland and to the west of Poisset bay
Kwangchengtsi is about 80 miles west of
Kirin.
Washington, Feb. 27-The Japanese
minister has received the following
cablegram from the Japanese minister
for foreign affairs, dated Toxic FrlIay:
Before dawn on the Oath instant four
old ships under escort of torpedo boats
proceeded to the mouth of the harbor of
Port Arthur where they were sunk with
success in order to close it. The officers
and crew Of the vessels returned safely.
No official report has as yet been re-
ceived from the admiral commanding
the squadron, but there is no doubt that
the squadron itself is all safe"
Stirring Message Of Czar.
St. Petersburg, Feb. 27.-A stirring
manifesto to the army was issued by the
czar Friday in the form of message to
Gen. KurOpatkin, the commander in
chief of the Russian army in the far
east, as follows:
although as head of the military ad-
ministration since 1898 you have worked
with energy and assiduity to reorganize
and perfect the army, your work is not
yet done. The hour has come when
must summon you to head my val
liant army to defend the honor and dig
nifty of Russia and her sovereign rights
in the far east. Knowing your brilliant
gifts and your imminent preparations for
battle, am glad to intrust to you the
responsible command of my Manchurian
army against the Japanese, on your
leaving your work as minister May
God help you in your difficult task. which
you with such self-denlal have assumed.
In taking leave of you and thanking you
for your six years work for the good of
my dear army, confer on you the order
of St. Alexander-Nevski in brilliants.
Wishing success to you, and trusting to
you to transmit to my brave army my
imperial greeting and my blessing. may
God keep you unharmed..
(Signed) Nicholas"
Details of Attack Received.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 27.-A long off,
cial telegram giving details of the attack
on Port Arthur February 25 was re-
ceived Friday. afternoon and is now in
the hands OF the military censorship
committee. A correspondent Of the
press learned that the attack developed
into general engagement between the
Japanese squadron and the Russian
squadron and forts which continued for
three hours and resulted in the repulse
of the japanese.
Many Ships in Dry Dock.
The Birshewja Viedomosti says a
telegram has been received from Baron
Guisburg, who has contract for supply
ing coal to the Russian navy (but whose
present address is not stated), asserting
that IL apmored Japanese ships are now
in dock undergoing repairs for the in
juries inflicted upon them.in their battles
with the Russians.
Position Not Changed.
Paris, Feb. 27.-The French foreign
Office categorically denies the report
published in London paper that, Corea
having become the ally of Japan, under
the new Japanese-Corean treaty. France
Is thereby required to become the active
ally of Russia. The officials say the situ-
alton does not warrant such a conclusion
and add that the new treaty does not
make the slightest change in the position
of France.
Feeling Against America.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 27.-The irritation
against the United States on account of
the supposed unfriendly attitude of
that country towards Russia, which was
slightly noticeable throughout the ne
gotiations, seems to have become daily
more pronounced, and, since the Vicks-
commander of this American gunboat is
said to have refused to unite with the
commanders of other foreign warships
at Chemulpo to protest against the fight
ing which resulted in the loss Of the Rus
sian warsh' Variag and Korietz. and
the fact that the Vicksburg did not take
on board survivors of the Russian
ships). American business men here are
really alarmed concerning the possible
ehect upon American trade- Within the
last few days orders for American goods
have been countermanded, the only ex-
planation given being that the pros-
pective purchasers Gid not desire to buy
American goods under the present cir
cumstances. u
Mr.. Watts has felt it to be his duty
to write to the state department. point
ing out the state Of public feeling here.
and the great prospective damage to
American trade unless measures were