Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-02-19

It's substance has been communicated
to the governments Of Japan and
China
Talking Of Retreat.
PARIS, Feb. 19.--Significance is at
tached 70 Figaros discussing the pos
sible retreat Of Russian forces from
Port Arthur toward the north. Figaro
which is intensely pro.Rnssian and en-.
joys the favor OF the Russian court,
says The Russian note explaining
the delay in military operations has
had the effect of confirming Viceroy
Alexieff's plan to Withdraw northward
toward Mukden and Harbin."
Reported Death Of Empress.
LONDON, Feb. ia special DID.
patch from Canton says it is reported
in official circles here that the dowag-
er empress Of China is dead
Pleased With Hays Note.
ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 19.-To.
day and tomorrow are the closing
days OF carnival week. There will be
little rejoicing, Such carnival time
is not remembered. None of the re.
ports from abroad Of renewed Japan
ese attacks on Port Arthur have been
yet officially confirmed. Novoe Vrem-
va, in an editorial commenting on
Secretary Hays note, says the docu-
ment appears to protect Russia from
flank attack and recognizes her
exceptional north Great Wall but the
note stands or falls with the realty Of
Chinese neutrality. So long as China
honestly maintains neutrality Russia
will be unwilling to violate it.
Concentrating on Yau.
HARDIN, Manchuria, Feb. b.
Russian troops are concentrated in
the lower Yalu River valley Every
body is in high spirits and daily ex-
Ipecting reinforcements. Russian fam
lilies are leaving Manchuria owing to
the dearness of provisions, all CT
which are required for the troops. TIE
Manchurian and trans-Baikal railroads
cannot cope with the demands for
Transportation. Women and children
are unable to get trains. Many are
waiting at the stations suffering from
cold and hunger.
Official Statement.
| LONDON, Feb 19.The Japanese
Legation yesterday gave out an official
cable received from Toxic as fol.
lows:
A number Of Japanese refugees
from Port Arthur who arrived recent
| ly at Che Foo on board the British
steamer Wen Chow give In the form
| of a diary an account Of their treat
ment while at Port Arthur, as fol
lows:
February S.-The Japanese were
forbidden to embark on the British
steamer Ras Bera All japanese
were prohibited from leaving the
harbor.
February 9.--Eight Russian sol
diers were placed on guard over the
Japanese on board the Wen Chow
None OF the Japanese were allowed tt
land The Wen Chow was detained
and some 200 Japanese on board arc
about to starve
February 10.-After appeals e
viceroy Alexieff, ten bags of rice ant
some biscuits were sent to the shiI
in the evening.
February 11.-No heed was takeT
by the Russians OF our repeated sig
nails; no drinking water.
February 13.--Renewed appeal
made to the Russians to give som'
food at least to infants and sick wo
men. One hundred and three Jap
anese boarded the Wen Chow from
| Harbin. While on their way the!
we're robbed of all baggage and en-
dered penniless. There are now SO'
Japanese On the Wen Chow and thei
distressed condition Is beyond descrip
tion.
II February 14.--At s p. N. the Wei
Chow was allowed TO sail.
February 15.--Arriyed at Che Fo'
lin the morning"
Ii is reported that there Is genera
disorder at Port Arthur, the mounte'
lManchurian banditti and Russian sol
diers pillaging everywhere. The shor
keepers are all armed to protec
themselves from plunder by Russial
!. soldiers