The Irish standard., 1904-03-19
BIG NAVAL Clash
soon Expected
TOXIC AWAITS NEWS OF BAT
TIE WITH MISSING RUS
SIAN FLEET,
HEAVY LOSSES OF
THE CARS FORCES
Three Hundred Troops Killed or
Wounded in Bombardment Of
March 1.-Two Disabled Japanese
Ships Reported Seen.

Toxic, March 17.-Assuming that
the reported escape Of the Russian
fleet from Port Arthur is true and
that the squadron has started in
dash for Vladivostok, rews of a great
naval battle is expected hourly.
A serious situation would be created
If the Russians should succeed in
evading the Japanese fleet The prob
ability, however, is that the Japanese
are in touch with the Russians suf-
ticiently to bring about an action,
which must be decisive and put an end
to the Russian naval power in the far
east.
Heavy Russian Losses.
London, March ia correspondent
OF the Daily Telegraph at Yinkow says
that the Japanese again attacked Port
Arthur, March ~, as challenge for
Vice-Admiral Makaroff to come out and
tight. During the heavy bombardment
the correspondent says, the Japanese
were in position of safety from the
guns of the fortress. The Russian cas-
ualties amounted to 300 killed or
wounded. The correspondent adds that
this is authentic.
Must Hold Port Arthur.
According to a correspondent of the
Daily Mail, at Newchwang, Gen. Kur-
opatkin has wired Lieut.. Gen, Stoessel
that he must hold Port Arthur with the
present garrison.
While there is no actual news from
the theater of war, rumors are plenti-
full The Daily Express correspondent
at Berlin gives an alleged official init
nation from the Russian ambassador,
Count Osten-Sacken, that Vice Admiral
Makaroff has mined all the coast of
the peninsula at Port Arthur, the
situation of the mines extending three
miles seward
Gear Inspects Battleships.
The emperor and his brother, Grand
Duke Michael, heir presumptive to the
throne, wearing naval uniforms, Wis
tied Galernii Island Wednesday and
inspected the battleships Borodino.
Orel and Andrew. They were accom-
panied by Grand Duke Alexis, high
admiral, and Admirals Avelan and
Rijestvenslxy.
Two Disabled Ships Seen.
Port Arthur, March 17.-Another pas
senger Of the steamer Argun. captured
by the japanese off the coast of Korea
February Z, and taken to Sasebo, who
returned here Tuesday, declares that he
saw two damaged warships towed into
Nagasaki February 2e, one being the
Asuma 90 and the other a cruiser, said
to be flagship, having heavy list.
Everything is quiet here. There is no
sign of the enemy. Advices from Fong-
Huan-Chong, about IS miles northwest
of Wiju, say the Russian troops are show
ing an admirable spirit in surrounding
the difficulties and hardships of the
march over frozen tracts of East Man.
churia.
Russians Resent Reports.
st. Petersburg, March 1.-THE reports
of the abandonment of Port Arthur con-
tinue to arouse the bitterest resentment,
the papers denouncing the story as a
stock-jobbing scheme. One paper re-
marks:
LET other countries be fed on such
tales, but while Russian blood is flowing
the authorities should not allow the peo-
pie to be disturbed by such falsehoods
The official kilograms are believed and
trusted by everyone"
Capt. Ivkov, of the Manchurian COM
missariat service, has been summarily
court-martialed and shot, for acting as
spy in the pay of the Japanese. When
arrested on suspicion of espionage docu-
ments found in Ivkov's possession left
no doubt of the truth of the charges that
he had long been revealing military Sc
crets to the Japanese. The tragic story
became public through a simple an
nouncement in the army organ Wednes-
day that Ivkov had been excluded from
the service.
Not Abandoned.
st. Petersburg, March 17.-From the
highest official quarter information
comes that there is absolutely no founda-
ton for the rumors persistently sent out
from Toxic that the Russians are aban-
doning Port Arthur.
The statement by Gen. Zilinski that
the Russians found poisoned swords
left by the feeting japanese has aroused
much comment. Similar swords were
used by the Chinese during the Boxer
rebellion, especially in Manchuria, and
the slightest wound inflicted by them
proved fatal. The use of such weapons
is prohibited by the Geneva and Hague
conventions.
News from Minister Allen.
Washington, March 17.-United States
Minister Allen cabled the state depart
ment from Seoul, under Wednesdays
date, that the Cincinnati arrived Tues
day at Chemulpo with % Americans from
Chinnampo. The minister announced
that the missionaries in the neigh
borhood of Ping Yang had refused to
send their women and children aboard
the Cincinnati. where they could be
taken to place of safety. He also
reported that Marquis Ito was expected
to arrive at Seoul Thursday. The
marquis brings an autograph letter
from the Japanese emperor to the king