Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-03-11
RUSS0.JAPANESE WAR NEWS
BOTH SIDES ARE RUSHING PREP.
ARATIoNS FOR LONG SIEGE.
Russa's Fleet Sealed Up in Port Ar
thur-American Mining Company
Disregarded by Germany, France and
ItaIy-Cossack Scouts Active.

Reports received from the Japanese
outposts at Pingyang, Korea, via
Seoul state that the Russians, who had
appeared in some force at Anju and to
the southwark Of that point, have now
all retired toward the Yalu river.
According to the Daily Graphic's
Sebastopol correspondent, Admiral
Skyrdloff, commander in chief of the
Russian Black Sea fleet, has received
confirmation of statements that the en-
trance to Port Arthur has been blocked
to the extent of imprisoning the Rus
sian battleships. Therefore, while the
Japanese invest the outer roads, Rus
sian cruisers and torpedo boats have
no hope of success should they attempt
sortie.
The Vladivostock squadron continues
inactive, though it has an ample sup
ply of coal and the ships are in good
condition.
Six American marines have been sent
to guard the premises of the American
mining company at Un San, 40 miles
north of Pingyang, which were reported
to have been seized by Russian soldiers.
The Japanese-K Korean treaty will be
disregarded not only by Russia, but by
Germany, France and Italy. The for
eign office does not believe Great Brit
ain and the United States will recog-
nize the treaty.
1t is believed that the Japanese
troops have practically succeeded in iso-
lating Port Arthur and in out-maneu-
vering the Russians in the Yalu reg
ions.
Russia has 200, 900 men in the fight
ing zone, but the strength of the Amy
is not known in the various sections.
Lack of confidence is felt and officers
of squadrons at Port Arthur are ner-
vous over the conditions of the vessels
and unequal forces.
Much dissatisfaction is manifested
in official quarters at Toxic over the
disregard Russians of pledges regarding
the neutrality in China.
Forty Japanese transports, escorted
by the entire fleet, have been energeti-
cally landing troops at Fusan and Che
mulpo. 1t is estimated that fully 100,-
900 men Have disembaI ked, and it is
supposed that an immediate advance
into nothrern Korea is contemplated.
From the fact that the Japanese fleet is
thus employed it is felt that no immed-
late attack on Vladivostock or Port
Arthur would be made.
Several Russian mills have been
notified by British coal purveyors that
they must hurry their orders, as the
export of coal may be forbidden.
Russia's new battleships on the Bal
tic will not be ready for commission
before the end of August.
The emperor of Japan has telegraph |
ed message to the emperor of Korea
stating that war had been declared
solely in order to secure PERMANENT |
peace i'll the orient, and expressing sat
isfaction over the recent protocol,
which would lead to increased intam-
acy between the two countries. He
hoped the realtions would become still
closer, and thanked the Korean en-
porer and his two SONS for the muniti-
cent grants to the Japanese troops.
There exists high authority for the
that Russia now has reason
to feel more tranquil regarding the at
titude of Great Britain. The real rea-
son of the visit to st Petersburg of
Count Beneckendorff, Russian ambassa
dor to Great Britain, while ostensibly
to see his son oil for the far east, was
to assure his government of
his belief that the suspicious concern
ing Japan's ally We're illfounded, and
that Great Britain although standing
by the Obligations of the anglo-Japan-
ese treaty, would not move unless COM
+ elled to do so by the entrance into
affairs of the far east of third power.
Cossack scouts report that the Jap
anese column from Plaskin bay, on ar
riving in the snow blockaded detile
Of the mountains separating Korea
from Manchuria, was forced to halt
owing to avalanches and other OBJ
stacles. The scouts say that one third
Of the strength Of this column is in
valided. Ii is now supposed that the
column is returning for the purpose OF
seeking an easier route.
Japs Advancing.
Advices from Vladivostok say that