Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-12

ST. Petersburg, April 1.-THE czar
is being strongly urged by his miniS
ters to declare war against China.
Even the Russian minister to Pekin.
M. Lessar, who prior to the outbreak
of the present war, was friendly to
the Chinese government, is besieging
the Russian ruler with exhortations to
take up arms against the Mongolian
race.
M. Lessar says that, as the Chinese
are disaffected toward Russia, their
race hatred should be brought clearly
into the light. and made to take the
form of open hostilities, which would
warrant Russia In carrying out her
policy in the far east much more effec-
lively than ever before.
\ May Break Neutrality Soon.
i Che Foo, April II "A high Pekin off.
cial asserts that the feeling in Chinese
official circles resembles that of 1900.
The dismissal of Prince Su and the
transference Of seals to Ma Tung indi-
Gates the increase of an anti-foreign
policy in the capital. The pro-Japanese
party, including Prince Ching and
Chu Lu, is using its best endeayors to
obtain the dismissal of officials with
friendly leanings toward Europeans.
There is grave possibility that Chi
na's neutralityMill be broken soon, de-
spite cfflcial assurances to the contra
ry, by a general upheavai Of the peo-
pie. 'rtr
Wounded Taken to Harbin.
London, April 11.-A dispatch to the
Dali Express from Tien Tsin says it is
reported from Mukden that two trains
containing large number Of Russians
who were wounded in an engagement
on the Yalu river have passed through
Mukden enroute for Harbin.
Paris, April 11.-A dispatch to the
Echo de Paris says an unofficial tele-
gram has reached st. Petersburg that
a naval battle has taken place at Port
Arthur.
A dispatch to the Petit Journal from
st. Petersburg says that Admiral Ma
karoff telegraphs that Japanese at
tempt to surprise Port Arthur was
foiled last night number of Japan
ese vessels suddenly appeared within
range of the searchlights, but they
withdrew after accommodating.
The St. Petersburg correspondent of
IiiC lISAo oS tillS says IuG members
of the naval general staff believe that
Admiral Makaroff, perceiving the jap
anese squadron. returned to Port Ar
thur his idea being to try to induce
Admiral Togo to follow him under the
guns Of the forts.
Jap Fleet Passes Che Foo.
Rome, April ia dispatch from
| Che Foo says that seventeen battle
ships and cruisers, twenty steamers,
and twelve torpedo boat destroyers
have passed Che Foo,apparently bound
for Port Arthur.
Jap Transports Reported Captured.
St. Petersburg, April 11.-Persistent
rumors are current that the Port Ar.
thur squadron has captured several
Japanese transports enroute to Che.
mulpo laden with troops and ammuni.
ton.
| The military censors did not sit lat.
er than 10 o'clock last night and no
news of fighting was received up to
that hour.
Observing Easter.
ST. Petersburg, April II. - Easte,
merrymaking is in progress. business
is suspended, the government depart
ments are closed and war bulletin
boards are bare, except for the order
for the mobilization of the naval re
serves. Only three newspapers appear
and they are in the form of fly sheets
Woman Joins the Cossacks.
| ST. Petersburg, April IL. - The wal
| ministry has granted the petition O
Nine. Pousep, daughter of Colone
Maxiowconduow, who desired to b,
enrolled in Cossack regiment. Th.
ministry has ordered her enrollmen
| In the First regiment of rif1anen