The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-10

from Toxic dated today says it is re-
ported that three transports of the
Russian volunteer feet conveying
about 1000 troops have been captured
by the Japanese off the Korean coast.
London. Feb. 1o-Baron Hayashi, the
japanese minister here, has received
official confirmation from Toxic of the
destruction at Chelnulpo of the Rus
sian frst-class cruiser Variag and the
thIrd-cIass cruiser Korietz.
London. Feb. 10-A dispatch to the
Central News Agency from Port Arth-
ur says the japanese fleet returned
there Tuesday afternoon and again
bombarded the Russian fleet and forts,
but that it soon withdrew. The loss
to the Russians, the dispatch says was
small. During the firing a Japanese
cruiser grounded.
TWO RUSSIAN WARSHTPS SUNK.
London. Feb. TO- 2 D. m.-Omcial dis
patches from Toxic received by Baron
Hayashi say the japanese admiral on
arriving at Chemulpo, Korea, sent IN
word to the two Russian cruisers
there. giving them a time limit IN
which to leave. Shortly afterwards
Japanese torpedo boat. which replied
with a torpedo inefectively. gen
eral exchange of shots then followed
After a hot fire the Russians returned
to Chemulpo and sank at the entrance
of the harbor. 1t is not yet known
whether their sinking was due to the
Japanese fire or to the Russians own
action, but it is believed to be due to
the former. The crews of both of the
Russian vessels sought refuge on a
French warship at Chemulpo. There
were no casualties among the Japanese
and their vessels sustained no damage.
The cruiser Variag, which was built
at Cramps shipyard. Philadelphia, in
1900 was of steel, unsheathed. She was
of $500 tons displacement and her in
dicated horse power was 100000 On her
speed trial she made "a knots per hour
for eight hours. She was 400 feet long,
So feet in beam and had depth of hold
of 20 feet. The Variag's armament con-
sisted of u 6-inch quick firing guns.
twelve II FOUNDER quick firers, eight 8
FOUNDER firers, two 1 Founders and six
torpedo tubes, two of which were sub
merged.
The Korietz was built in Stockholm
She was of steel and was 206 feet in
length, 80 feet beam, 1,413 tons displace-
ment, and 1900 indicated horse power.
Her speed was IS knots. The armament
of the Korietz consisted of two S-inch
quick firers, two FOUNDER quick firers,
four 1 FOUNDER revolving cannon and
two torpedo tubes.
MCCORMICK CONFIRMS THE NEWS
Washington, Feb. 10.-The state de-
partment today received a dispatch
from Ambassador Mccormick at St.
Petersburg. confirming the press re-
ports to the effect that three war ships
of the Russian fleet had been dam
aged in an attack in the roads of the
harbor at Port Arthur by Japanese tor
pedo boats. The extent of the damage
to the vessels, it is said, is unknown.
This was the first Official information
received concerning the engagement.
Ambassador Mccormick suggests to
the department that a complete tele-
graphic report of events in the far east
received in Washington will be of ma
terial assistance to him in interpreting
the situation at st. Petersburg. He
says that in the circumstances at St
Petersburg he is not able to comply
absolutely with the department in
structions to keep it posted regarding
developments of the war in the Orient
and indicates that it is impossible for
him to obtain early and accurate news
of the situation. He also adds that he
has had to depend on reports of for
eign governments even for information
from Washington
REPORT ON DAMAGED WAR SHIPS
St Petersburg, Feb. 1O.-AduajraI
Alexieff, amplifying his first telegram
to the czar on the torpedo boat action.
now telegraphs as follows:
Il most humbly report to your i'm
perial majesty that the three injured
vessels were not sunk nor were their
boilers or engines damaged The Car
evitch received a hole in her steering