River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-03-10

appeared OFF this place at 1:25 o'clock
Sunday afternoon and bombarded the
town and shore batteries for 55 minutes.
The fleet approached from the direction
of Askold island, at the east entrance
to Ussuri bay and about 80 miles south
east of Vladivostock. Entering Ussuri
bay the enemy formed in line of battle,
but did not approach to closer range
than mile and one-third. They directed
their fire against the shore batteries and
the town, but no damage resulted, as
most of the 200 lyddite shells failed to
burst.
Russians Remain Silent.
The Russian batteries, commanded by
Gems. Veronetz and Artamonoff, did not
reply, awaiting a closer approach of the
enemy. The Japanese fire ceased at 30
p. m. and the enemy retired in the direc-
ton of Askold island. simultaneously
two torpedo boat destroyers appeared
near Askold island and two more near
Cape Maidel. The Japanese ships were
covered with ice.
The attack resulted in no loss to the
roubles ($100,000) in ammunition. Most
of the projectiles were six and 12-inch
shells.
The population of Vladivostock was
warned of the presence on the horizon OF
the presence of a hostile fleet and the
prospect of attack during the day, but II
remained tranquil.
Alexieff Reports.
st. Petersburg, March IA communi-
cation from Viceroy Alexieff to the car
from Mukden, bearing Sundays date.
says: II most humbly inform your ma
Jesty that the commandant at the fort
ress at Vladivostock reports that at
$3.50 this morning seven vessels were
sighted south of Askold island. At GAS
they were seen to be warships making
for Askold island. About noon the enc
my's squadron was midway between the
coast and Askold island, making for
ussuri bay. They were out of reach of
the shore batteries. At 1870 the enc
my opened fire. Two vessels in the
squadron were probably the first-class
cruisers Idzum and Yakumo, but the
names of the other vessels are un-
Known"
Five Reported Killed.
st. Petersburg, March 7-Official dis
patches received here concerning the
bombardment of Vladivostock by a
Japanese fleet Sunday afternoon do not
mention any Russian losses, but pri-
vate advices say that five were killed,
four sailors and the wife of an engi-
neer. 1t is apparent the Japanese were
afraid to risk exposing their ships to
the plunging fire of the land batteries
and it is considered probable here that
the attack was really for the purpose
OF drawing the fire of the Russian
forts, compelling the Russians to dis
close the positions and the caliber of
their guns, and also for the purpose
of ascertaining whether the Russian
squadron is in port. If this was the
object of the Japanese it is believed to
have failed signallv, as the batteries
did not fire shot. and if the squadron
is in port it could not be seen from
the Japanese position in the bay of Us
rises from the coast on that side, OBJ
stracting the view of the harbor
japanese Advancing.
st. Petersburg, March 7.-Advices
from Vladivostock say that the $500
Japanese troops who landed at Plak-
sin bay, on the east coast of northern
Korea, are advancing toward Musan,
218 miles from Gensan, with the in
tention of ultimately reaching Hun
chun, on the left bank of the Tumen
river about 100 miles west of Vladi-
vostock, and threatening the Russian
flank In order to checkmate this move
the Russian outpost, 1,500 strong,
which recently crossed the Tumen, is
advancing to occupy Koyryong, on
the Tumen river, a walled city COM
handing the trails along which the
Japanese must pass.
The naval mobilization foreshadow-
ed in these dispatches has been par
TALLY decided upon. Three eastern
provinces of European Russia, Vyatka,
Perm and Ufa, are included in the plan,
the purpose stated being the strength
ening of the crews of the Pacific
squadron.
Direct through telegraph communi-
cation is now established between
Viceroy Alexieff's headquarters at
Mukden and st. Petersburg. This is
believed to be the longest circuit in the
world, being over 5000 miles, whereas
the direct communication between
London and Teheran. distance of
only 5000 miles, has hitherto been the
longest.
Vast Army to Oppose japan.
St Petersburg, March 7.-Russia's
plan for the campaign in the far east
includes the dispatch of four army
corps, each made up of two divisions
of infantry. one division of cavalry,
and one brigade of artillery The to-
tai strength of the four corps will be
74,527 officers and men, 1880 horses
and 1876 guns. This immense force does
not include the army which will be re-
quired to man the fortresses at Port
arthur, Dalny. Mukden, Harbin and
other strategic points. Neither does 1t
include the army that will be detailed
to guard the 1900 miles of railway In
Manchuria
Means Delay Until April.
It is admitted that this army cannot
all be transported to Manchuria before
the LIST of April, and that serious land
cannot begin before the