The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-01

1T is supposed that the Japanese
had heavy losses in men and horses.
On u side, unfortunately. three Off
GERS were severely wounded-Stepa-
nof and Androoko in the chest and
Vaselevitch in the stomach. Schilni-
koff was less seriously wounded in the
arm, but did not leave the field. Three
CoSsacks were killed and twelve were
wounded, including five seriously
General Mishtchenko bears wit
ness to the excellent conduct and gal
lantry of the officers and Cossacks,
n especially praises the third COM
pany Of the Argunsk regiment. COM
manded by Krasnostanoff."
Reports That Have Reached London.
London, March 3O.-No Japanese re-
port OF the land operations in Korea
has yet been received here, and there
is much sDeculation as to the size of
the opposing armies, regarding which
there is no reliable information.
A correspondent at Russian head
quarters in Mukden, telegraphs that ac-
cording to reports received there, about
10000 japanese have crossed the river
at Chin-Chwang-Au and 5000 have ad-
vanced north from Chong Jul.
The Chronicles Shanghai c%orrespon-
dent asserts that practically the whole
japanese army in Korea consisting of
100000 men is concentrated at PAX
Chen and Anju, only small detachments
being left in Southern Korea, to main
tain communications.
A st. Petersburg special a that a
Russian division of $1,000 men from
Southern Usuri is advancing in two
columns through Korea. The main
column coming along the las coas
road. reached Puk-Chang, $50 miles
from the Tumen river, and the thanking
column. consisting Of Cossacks n
mountain artillery, coming along the
valley of the Tumen river towards its
source. has reached the coast of Lake
Tadji. This column reports that the
Japanese are advancing north from Gen
Sen n that their advance guard is en-
camped at Chong Ping. 1t Is probable
however. that none Of these reports can
be accepted as authentic.
Report of the Attempt to "BottIe Up"
Port Arthur.
Washington, March 29.-The Japan
csc legation has received from Toxic
the following official report by Ad-
miral Togo respecting the action OF
the second attempt to bottle up" the
Port Arthur squadron:
About $3.50 a. m. of the 9th Of
March. the "bottling up squadron
composed of four ships. escorted by
a torpedo BOAT destroyer flotilla and
torpedo BOAT f1otilla, cache outside
of Port Arthur and without minding
the search lights of the enemy steered
straight towards the entrance Of the
harbor. At about two marine leagues
from the entrance, the "bottling up
squadron was discovered by the
enemy. Thereupon the shore batteries
and ~guardships showered hot fires
upon the squadron, but, in spite of
the terrific fire, the ships made their
way into the inner roadstead, one af-
ter the other.
The steamer Chiyo Maru anchored
at a position about a half a cable
from the Golden Hill. blew up itself
and sunk. The Fukui Maru passed a
little ahead OF the Chiyo Maru by its
left side, and at the moment when
she was lowering anchor, was shot by
a torpedo from the enemy's Destroy
ers and sunk IN that position. Machi-
Hike Maru anchored to the left of
Fukui Maru and blew up itself and
sunk. Yoneyama Maru, colliding with
the stern of n Of the enemy's tor
pedo boat destroyers, passed between
Chiyo Maru and Fukui Maru n an
chored in the middle of the roadstead.
At this moment. the ship vas shot by
a torpedo from the enemy and. con-
sequently by reason OF that torpedo
she was carried toward the left sic
shore n sunk sideways.
The result of the action being as
above described there is some space
left yet between Hachi-Hiko Maru
and oYneyama Maru. 1t is a matter
of regret that the roadstead could not
be completely closed up. The casual
ties were as follows:
Killed. Commander Hirose Taxed.
one d officer and two sailors.
Seriously wounded Srh-T inrfananf
Shimanda.
Slightly wounded. Lieutenant
Masaki. Engineer -Kurita and six
sailors.
The remainder were safely taken in
by our torpedo boat destroyer f1otilla
and torpedo boat fiotlla-
OF the torpedo boa, notilla, the
Aodaka and the Tsubame, while es-
corting the "bottling I'D squadron"
and at about one mile from the en-
trance of Port Arthur. engaged in =
fight with one destroyer of the enemy
and inflicted serious damage on her
The enemy's ship retreated, raising
an enormous column of steam as IL
her boiler was broken.
When all the members of the bot
tlinp up squadron" a been taken in
n our boats withdrew to the outside
of the harbor. a ship which ~appeared
like n of the enemy's was seen at
the foot Of Golden Hill. utterly in
| capable OF navigation.
| Although both our DESTROYER fotilIa
| and torpedo boat fotiHa were subiecr-
ed to terrific firing from the enemy
| until the dawn, not the et~hest DAM
age was done to any of h boats.
| Losses in al Engagement.
Seoul, March 29.@s:15 z. ma report
a reached here that fifty japanese
and and one hundred Cossacks were
Yamaoto, minister of marine. read
occurred between ANU and Tinju-
The above dispatch probably refers
to the engagement reported last night
, as having occurred March q. but in