Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-08-12
Whereabouts of Russian
Fleet Remain Un-
revealed.
SHIPS ARE SCATTERED
Condition of Kuropatkin Still
Causes Concern at st.
Petersburg.

st. Petersburg, Aug. 12.-Everything
else seems to be forgotten in the gen.
eral anxiety concerning the fate of the
Port Arthur squadron. 1t is not too
much TO say the present is regarded
| as being the most critical moment of
| the war.
Che Foo. Aug. 12.- Seventeen of a
crew numbering Al of the Russian tor
pedo destroyed Ryeshitelni who Jump
ed overheard during the fight between
the Ryeshitelni and two Japanese tor
pedo boat destroyers early today have
been accounted for. 1t is reported the
captain of the Shestakovsky was
killed.
Japanese Version.
The Japanese claim they sent a lieu
tenant and interpreter under a flag of
truce aboard the Ryeshitelni who de-
manded the Russians came outside
and fight. The Russian captain re-
piled the ship had been disarmed and
the whole matter was in the hands
of the Chinese.
The interpreter claims he overheard
the Russian captain give an undistin-
guishable order in low tone and
Immediately the captain seized the
Japanese lieutenant and jumped over
board with him. The fighting began
Immediately and lasted 10 minutes.
The German cruiser Fuerst Bis
marck left hurriedly Today for Using
Chou.
Cannot Stay Mt Using Chou.
Berlin, Aug. 12-The foreign Office
today sent instruction to the German
authorities at Tsingchou that the Rus
sion cruiser Novik and a torpedo boat
must leave the harbor within "a hours
as required by international law. The
battleship CZarevitch is at Using Chou
in an unseaworthy condition.
Germany Sends Vice Admiral.
Berlin, Aug. 12.-Vice Admiral Won
Prittwitz, commanding the German
East Asiatic squadron, sailed today
from Chefoo on board the armOred
cruiser Fuerst Bismarck for Using
Chou The German cruiser Seeadler
has sailed for Using Chou.
Has Already Protested.
st. Petersburg. Aug. 12.-The Asso-
ciated Press is able to announce that
Russia has already formally protested
~ Japan lHIOuSll against bllS
action of the Japanese torpedo boat
destroyers at Che Foo. The protest
has been communicated to the powers.
KnsuEa sunk with Crew.
London. Aug. IA Reuters st. Pet
ersburg dispatch says the Japanese
cruiser Kasuga was sunk with all on
board during the engagement off Port
Arthur Wednesday.
Japanese Casualties I2,O55.
Washington, Aug. 12.-According to
the Japanese legation the casualties
on the Japanese side from March 2S to
August l totaled 12,055.
Four Ships Located.
Shanghai, Aug. IA Russian tor
pedo boat destroyer arrived here to-
day and reported four Russian battle
ships are off Saddle island 20 miles
southeast of Shanghai and 30 miles
from Port Arthur.
Held Breach of Neutrality.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 12.-The action
of the Japanese torpedo boat destroy
ers in attacking and towing out the
defenseless Russian torpedo boat de-
stroyer. Ryeshitelni at Che Foo is re-
very grave matter for Japan. As
soon as the facts are officially estab-
| lished no doubt exists that Russia will
promptly call attention of the powers
to this breach of the neutrality OF
| China.
| Expect Big Fight.
St. Petersburg. Aug. 12.-Even with
the absorbing topic OF the escape OF the
Port Arthur squadron. the question OF
whether Gen. Kuropatkin will accept
or refuse a general engagement at
Lao Yang continues to be the subject
of the liveliest interest. Opinions diff
fer in military and covilian circles, and
profound ignorance regarding Kuropat-
kins plans is shown in the different
views held by the members of the gen
eral staff. Experts of the bureau OF
operations incline to the belief that a
collision between the main forces is in
evitable: that the Russians have not
withdrawn and that the Notifications
of Lao Yang Offset the greater num-
Der of Japanese.
Commercial Shipping stopped.
! Berlin, Aug. 12.-The Toxic CORE
spondent of the Lokal Anzeiger says
that commercial shipping has been