The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-21
VIII Mobilize Her Entire Army If
Necessary to Defeat the
Enemy.
COSSACKS AT THE FRONT
Fiercest Soldiers of the Car to
Bear the Brunt of the
Fighting.
CAPTURE OF JAPANESE
Major, Five Privates and Two
Civilians Are Taken Prisoners
Near Wiju.

ST. PETERSBURG. Feb "a dispatch
from Port Arthur announces that by order
OF NicerOy Alexieff an irregular volunteer
corps is enlisting TO defend Port Arthur.
The men will be provided by the state
with arms. rations and necessary clothing.
II is the light. the dispatch adds. that Japan
regards foodstuffs consigned to Port Arthur
as absolute contraband of war and that
she will undertake to compel the capitula-
ton of Port Arthur by a siege.
Military activity here is proceeding on
an ever-increasing scale, and all Is in readi-
ness for the mobilization of the entire Rus
sian army should il become necessary. In
a fortnight 100000 additional troops will be
In Manchuria. Three army corps of ST.
berlan rifles have already been organized
and fourth soon will be completed. There
Is also brigade of Cossack artillery,
armed with excellent mountain guns
Although the japanese seem to be making
Port Arthur one Of their main objectives.
military men here do not believe they will
be able to effect and hold landing there
The entire country is strongly held by a
division OF COssacks, which was quietly
moved out to the far East from the eau
casus some time ago. Other Cossack regi-
ments are under orders to join their com
manders. The Russian army will have
a distinctly "Cossack" appearance. Enor-
nous shakos of black. long-haired sheep
skin will be worn by the officers and men
OF the fighting regiments This headgear is
known as ''papaha" and is practical in
keeping the head and neck warm and the
bleak Manchurian winds from the eyes and
ears.
.,f,
diers on the military trains going TO the
East are grossly exaggerated. Covered
freight truoi;s have been converted into
comfortable cars for the men. The sides
are lined with felt. windows have been cut.
stoves put up and the movable shelves
used for sleeping are. removed in the day
time Each car can carry forty men but
only thirty-six are taken Each man is
allowed three quarters Of "A pound Of hot
beef daily, besides the regular rations sup
piled from the special kitchen Sars.
STEAMER SEIZED.
A Russian correspondent of theN Assn .
ciated Press at Port Arthur reports that
the steamer Shilka, Captain Kosturin. left
Vladivostck Feb. 3 and arrived al Tsu-
Shuma Ga japanese island northwest OF
NagasakD Feb 6. Here the steamer was
seized and without explanation taken to
Nagasah bay. No Japanese passengers
were landed. but Captain Kosturin sue
cessfully opposed the landing of the Chi
nese passengers who were bound for Che
Foo. He AYERS that the Japanese sailors
placed on board showed lack OF discipline
and lOunged and smoked in the ladies'
cabin until he ordered them on deck
1t is said that the Russians who were
taken prisoners in the Chemulpo fight will
be brought home under agreement with
France. Great Britain and Italy These
men will henceforward be noncombatants.
Grand Duke Alexis and Grand Duke Con-
stantin. uncles of the Gar. have asked his
MaJestys permission 10 so 10 the front
1t is said here that Viceroy Alexieff will
exercise general supervision over the naval
movements i'm the far East.
Count Kutaissoff. war governor Of
Irkutsk, has returned TO his post 10 hasten
the forwardins of men and war materials
across Lake Baikal.
1t is reported on good authority but the
report lacks official confirma ton. that all
the steamers of the volunteer feet are to
be armed.
Russian merchant ships to remain south
of Shanghai, the Japanese have n
squadron composed OF one battleship. two
first and two second-class cruisers and
eleven torpedo boats off Annoy, China. for
the purpose of intercepting merchant men,
The refusal OF the commander of the
United States gunbOat Nicksburg to unite
with the commanders of other foreign war
ships at Chemulpo to protest against the
fighting there on Feb. S, which resulted I'm
the loss of the Russian warshps Nariag
and korietZ, and the fact that the Nicks-
burg did not take on board any OF the sur
viving Russian sailors has created a good
deal of unfavCrable public comment here.
The Foreign Office. however. shows no dis
position 10 criticise the commander Of the
Vicksburg and advanced the suggestion
that he might have been restrained by the
belief that such action might constitute q
breach Of neutrality.