The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1904-05-19
JAP ship Strikes
A HIDDEN Mine
DISPATCH VESSEL BLOWN UP
IN KERR BAY AND TWO
MEN ARE KILLED.
FIGHTING RUMORED
NEAR LlAOYANG
Report Received at Washington Says
Great Battle Is Imminent-Ml-
kado's Troops Destroy Railroad
Attack on Port Arthur Planned.

kado's Troops Destroy Railroad
Attack on Port Arthur Planned.
Toxic, May 1.-THE Japanese dls-
patch boat Miyako was destroyed. IN
Kerr bay by striking a submerged
mine.
The Miyako was. lost while assisting
in the operations of clearing the Rus
sian mines from Kerr bay, northeast
of Talienwan bay, on which Port Dal-
ny is situated. Admiral Kataoka,
commander of the Third squadron, re-
turned there Sunday with a detach-
ment of his squadron, protecting two
flotillas of torpedo boats which had
been detailed to complete sweeping the
harbor by the removal of mines. Five
mines were discovered and exploded,
and the work was being suspended for
the day when the Miyako struck an
undiscovered mine, which exploded
| with tremendous force under stern,
on the port side, and inflicted immense
damage on the hull. The Miyako
sank in % minutes. Two sailors were
! killed and % men were wounded. The
rest of the crew were rescued.
The news Of the loss of the Miyako
has been sorrowfully received in Toxic.
The dangerous character OF the work
in which the Miyako was engaged is
generally appreciated, but it was
thought that the loss of torpedo boat
No. 4S under similar circumstances
Thursday last would serve as a warm
ing to those engaged in the work to
exercise the greatest care.
Russian Fort Shelled.
Admiral Kataoka reports that the
Russians withdrew from Robinson
Point, northeast of Kerr bay, which
adjoins Taiienwan bay, May II, but
they erected a temporary fort on a
height northeast of Taku mountain.
where they mounted six guns and con-
structed protecting trenches. The
vessels of Admiral Kataoka's squad
ron shelled the Russians throughout
Sunday, but the latter %stubbornly re-
tanned their position.
The Miyako was a steel cruiser OF
1900 tons displacement and $3.50 in
Dictated horse power, completed in 1901,
and having an estimated speed of 20
Knots. She was 314M feet long, had
Sc feet beam and drew 1874 feet of wa
ter. Her armament consisted of two
4.7-inch quick-fring. guns and ten 49,
i1ch guns and four torpedo tubes.
Japs Destroy Railroad.
St. Petersburg, May 1.-THE jap
anese evidently are determined that
there shall not be any further rail
communication between Gen. Kuro-
patkin and Port Arthur. Official adj
vices received here Monday by the
general staff say the Japanese have
destroyed so miles OF the railroad north
CT Kinchou. No resistance was made
Ly the Russians, who are gradually
abandoning it. On the Japanese ap-
proach Col. Spiridorof, Of the Amur
railroad battalion, is seeking to rem
Ger the railroad as useless as possible
to the enemy by removing the
switches and otherwise disabling the
road. The Russians are retiring be-
cause OF the approach of the Japanese
columns sent westward by Gen. Ku-
rohi Immediately after the occupation
OF Fengwangcheng.
Rumor of Fighting.
Eewchwang, May 17.-There is an un-
confirmed native rumor here that heavy
fighting took place in the direction of
Liaoyang Sunday. The report of big
guns were family heard east of New
chwang Monday morning.
Says Battle Is Imminent.
Washington, May 17.-An intimation
has reached the officials here to the ef-
feet that a great battle is imminent in
the vicinity of Liaoyang, where the Rus
clans are determined to make a stand.
The rumor cannot be traced to its
source.
Russians Attack British Mine.
Seoul, May 17.-An unofficial dispatch
has been received here saying that a
Russian force, estimated to number 300
tlen, has appeared at the British mines
ct Wunsan, northern Korea, where they
seized the belongings of the Japanese
and Chinese employees. They did not
touch British property. Some OF the
Japanese escaped while others are re-
ported to have been captured.
Attack on Port Arthur Expected.
Chefoo, May ia combined land
and sea attack on Port Arthur Is ex-
pscted to take place between May 20
and May %. The Japanese hope-to oc-
cupy Port Dalny within a few days.
Dalny is not fortified, the only fort
in the vicinity being n midway be-
tween Talienwan and Kinchou. After
tho destruction Of the submarine
mines at T'alienwan the Japanese in
tend to land additional troops there
end commence an attack on Port
Arthur.
Hostile Chinese Action Feared.
st. Petersburg, May 1z.-Dispatches
| given out by the general staff state spe-
officially that the Chinese have begun
hostilities against Russia. A dispatch
from Liaoyaag says that 600 Chunchuses
descended from the hills on Friday and
ottacEed Inn Enssfan frontier pfards