Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-15

the Russian volunteer vessels Ekatori- noslav and veronsj.'
 Advices from Tokyo say the presence of Russian squadrons in northern Jap- anese waters centers all interest there. The country is isolated, and it is difa- cult to obtain satisfactory reports.
 A variety of runnors stir the city. One says Matsuma has been bombarded, another that the Japanese cruisers have engaged the Russians. The government has not confirmed anything except the Zensho incident. It Is doubted that Matsurna has been bombarded, as it is undefended. It is regarded probable that the Russian fleet either returned to yladivostok after completing move ment planned to divert the Japanese or else passed through the Tsugaru strait, moving south. The Japanese cruiser squadron is scouting in the hope of To- eating the Russian fleet. If the Rus sians should attempt to effect a juno ton with the Port Arthur fleet, the Japanese will endeavor to block the way and force an engagement. The Japanese government has decided to accept the parole of France for the Russian prisoners captured at Chemul- DO at the time of the sinking of the Va riag and Korietz provided they be sent to Shanghai Russia engages not to let them come north of Shanghai until the end of the war. An exception is made ill the case of twenty wounded aboard the French steamer Pascal. They will be taken to Chefu and placed in a hospital. ,e>
 Japan is deeply stirred and bitterly resentful over the sinking of the mer- chant vessel Zensho by four Russian cruisers, which attacked the Zensho and her companion, the Naganoura, while they were on their way from Hakata to Otaru, on the island of Hak- kaido. The attack of the Russians is declared to be wanton crime, unjusti- fled under any circumstances, even as- suming that the Zensho disregarded signals, which is denied. a4 The foreign office has issued the fol lowing statement regarding the sink ing of the Zensho: @
 Two Japanese merchant vessels, the Zensho and the Naganoura, tonnage ITO and TOO respectively, while sailing from Hakata for Otaru were suddenly attacked by four Russian cruisers from yladivostok on Feb. II while ten miles off Jensaangta. Fire was opened without an order being given to sur render.
 ''The Naganoura succeeded in escap- 1 ing. The other vessel was surrounded by the cruisers and sunk. All on board were either killed or drowned" 1 A Port Arthur dispatch says: "Oficial advices state that the Japa- nese landed 600 soldiers near Talien- wan, with disastrous results, 40 being sabered by Cossacks. The remainder escaped to their ships. It is further stated that the Japanese landed at 1 Dove bay where thirty of them were 1 gilled, and the remainder retreated." | The Japanese also landed force at ] Pigeon bay west of Port Arthur. They were then attacked by troops and by l! the batteries and were defeated, with ' heavy loss.
 f A Yokohama dispatch says the four 1 Russian cruisers which sunk the Arour Maru had first appeared in the Tsuga- ru strait on the 11th escorting trans port from Vladivostok. Another steam CT, the Zensho Maru, also met the Rus sian cruisers, but escaped from them. All traffic between Hakodate and 40 mori has been suspended owing to Rus sian raiders Great indignation is felt here over the sinking of commercial steamer, and it is believed that it is violation of international law of war 1 fare.
 The Russians have explained their reasons for firing on the British steam CT Fuping, in which three of the Chi- nese crew were wounded. They as- 1 sert that the vessel was leaving port without clearing. l The British steamer Wenchow is be- ing held by tLe Russians for refusing to deliver Japanese passengers.
 An official dispatch from Paris says the French government has declared its neutrality in connection with the war between Russia and Japan.
 After the attack on Port Arthur the Japanese fleet did not return. About thirty shells struck in town. One on Main street broke every window. Oth- CTS struck on the hills among small houses, and one killed a woman and child. The people. are panic stricken and are leaving town on every train.
 susauehanna still Ecebound.
 WILKESBARRE, Pa, Feb. 15.-The water in the Susquehanna river here has fallen eight feet since last Tues day. and the river is blocked with ice as far up the stream as Tunkhannock, a distance of thirty-five miles. It is free of ice from there as far. as Owego,