Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-02-18

London, Feb. IA, Z u. m.-The Daily
MAIL In Its latest war edition this
morning gives the following summary,
Tor the past twenty four hours:
Russian torpedo transport was
blown up by accidentally striking a
mine at Port Arthur, and four officers
and ninety-one men were killed
+ Russian warshps sink a Japanese
merchant vessel of the coast of Yezo
| island. 80 .s.
| Russians fire upon British steam
er at Port Arthur, but. afterward they
apologize.
decisive land hattie is expected
to occur in Korea almost any time.
Japanese occupation OF Masampho
| means that Japan has won one OF the,
| great points In the war and has in.
sured her integrity for all time
In the battle,at Chemnlpo Russian
transport. in addition to Lac two war
ships, was sunk. Two. hundred Rus
SLAMS lost their lives
Russian Torpedo Boat Blown Up.
Chefu, Feb. lathe Russian tor
struck mine in the harbor at Port
Arthur and was blown out of the
water. -Four officers aud nearly 8
hundred men were instantly killed or
thrown into the water and drowned
When leaving Port Arthur the Brit
ish steamer Flu Ping was fired upon
by Russians. Three Chinese members
Of the crew were wounded The Rus.
SLAMS afterward apologized for firing
on the vessel. The Flu Ping, upon its
arrival at Wei Hal Wei fled pro-
test with the FrItish commissioner.
The American consul has reported to
United States Minister Conger that
the Russian authorities have refused
to allow the American steamer Puei-
AIDES tosleave Port Arthur. The yes
sci sailed from Seattle Jan. 2. with a
cargo of -four,
Confirmed by Alexieff.
st. Petersburg, Feb Ia, a. ma
report has been received, here from
Viceroy Alexieff saying that the Rus
sian torpedo transport Yenisei has
been blown up. as the result Of acct
dentally striking mine at Port Ar
thur. The Yenisei sank and Capt.
Stepanoff, three officers and ninety
one men were lost
The Yenisei was built at the Baltic
works In 1899. She was of $500 tons
displacement and could make 16
knots. Her armament consisted of
five 12-pounder and six 3-pounder
quick:firing guns.
Expect Big Battle in korsa.
London, Feb. IA dispatch from
Toxic says:
s There is good authority for the.
statement that. Japan's troops in
Korea up to date number between
10000 and 10000. The ministry Of
war expects information of decisive
developments within a few days, pos
sibly within few hours, and. indeed,
they would not be surprised to- learn
that aAdecisive already has oc-
CURED In Borea.''
The Japanese troops are. and for
several days have. been advancing rap
idly toward the Yalu river There, it
is expected, they will meet and
Engage the Russian Forces.
The Japanese declare that the mum
bers Of the Russian troops are great
" exaggerated. 1s ~,
The plan of the Japanese appears to
be to take the road which leads al
most straight to .Mukden.,
They profess to have. no doubt that
they will be able to drive back the
Russian forces toward narbin. Pro-
ceeding diagonally, the Japanese in,
tend to cut the line OF communication
between Port Arthur and the: main
land tof Manchuria. not only pneyent-
Ing reinforcements from ching Port
Arthur. garrison, but infiietings dam
age on the Manchurian railroad
Jsps. Viii Grab Pert Arthur.
q The view that the japanese will In
the meantime be able to occupy Port
Arthur is chiefly based on the latest
information. shat the Russian guns
] cannot he brought To; bear on any
force .landing at pigeon bay, wbichsis
on the western sid o. OF Port Arthur,
and it Is believed that the Japanese
admiral will follow tactics; almost ex-
actly similar to- those intended to be
pursued at Santiago, the troops storm
Ing the batteries in the rear while the
feet lies waiting for the
ships Of Viceroy Alexieff. who, IN the
event Of q land attack being success
ful, mus either make q dash for llb.
erty with hiia scrfppled Acct or fight
where they are against a.AsssS3
/ fsractfc II u II 3orAa,exa M ~