The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-26
HARBOR CHOKED.
An Official Dispatch from Capt.
tai of Japan
Declares Object of Admiral Togo
Was Attained.
LAND AT POSSIET BAY.
A Movement on VIadivOstock Is
Reported.
Russian Officials Have Retired
from the Town.

London, Feb. 26.-The Japanese lega-
ton today gave out the following Off
ciaI dispatch from Toxic. dated Feb
ruary 2G:
early in the morning of February
"a four old vessels. escorted by soI1e
torpedo boats. were run into the en-
trance Of Port Arthur for the purpose
of blocking the mouth of the harbor.
The object of sinking these vessels was
attained and the officers and crews re-
turned safely. Although there is no
report regarding our fleet direct from
Admiral Togo. no doubt can be enter
ta1ned as to it's safety
ANCHORED AT SUEz.
Suez, Egypt Feb. 26.-The Russian
squadron from Jibutil is reported to be
anchored in the gulf of Suez, % miles
south of Suez. A torpedo boat Destroy
er which had already entered the canal
bound north has sailed south again to
rejoin the squadron.
RUSSIANS WE'RE WARNED.
New York, Feb. 26.-Arrivals from
Port Arthur report that before the
Tuesday attack the Russians received
timely warning from three torpedo boat
destI oyers which met the japanese
| fleet 20 miles outside, says a Herald
dispatch from ChefoO.
The japanese fleet approached within
eight miles of the entrance and COM
menced the attack.
The first to retaliate were the forts,
followed by the Petropavolovsk, the
Novik. the Pallade and the Askold
The engagement lasted until nearly
Evidently they attempted to destroy
the arsenal. The forts had five guns
silenced.
The damage to the town was serious.
One shell struck amid the anchorage OF
junks, blowing many to atoms.
The Newsky works and the engine
works were struck three times. Sew
eral shells fell just short of the ar
senals.
Several guards were killed by burst
ing shells. Civilians took refuge in the
heart of Port Arthur.
! Five thousand men are working day
and night strengthening the defenses
of the garrison whicls is S0,0eS strong
and well provisioned.
Three merchant steamers are still at
Port Arthur.
12 JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED.
! ST. Petersburg, Feb. 26.-The Bir-
shewja Eiedomosti says a telegram has
| been received from Baron GuiSburg,
who has a contract for supplying coal
! to the Russian navy. but whose present
| address is not stated, asserting that Il
arnored Japanese ships are now in
| dock undergoing repairs for the injuries
- -
| the Russians.
ST. PETERSBURG WAITING FOR
NEWS.
ST. Petersburg, Feb. 26.-The govern
ment is still awaiting details of the
| second night attack on Port Arthur OF
February %. A long telegram from
Viceroy Alexieff to the czar arrived
during the night but it dealt exclusive
ly with the disposition of the Russian
forces in Manchuria- and of course for
strategic reason Will not be published.
HER MOST SACRED IMAGE
Moscow, Feb. 26-The most sacred
image in Russia has been sent to St.
Petersburg and it will be taken later
to the far east with the army. This
image is a representation of the Virgin
appearing to Saint Zurgis and is al
ways kept at the Troitzko monastery.
1t is about one foot square, and is COW
cred with precious stones. The image
has remarka BILE history. 1t accom-
panied Alexis, Peter the Great and AL
exander 1 on all their campaigns.
silver tablet attached to it enumerates
the battles at which the icon was pres
| ent.
JAPANESE LAND AT POSSIET BAY.
Yinkow, Feb. 26-Native reports that
the Japanese landed at Possiet bay and
subsequently undertook operations
against Hunchun and towards Kirin,
have received qualified confirmation
from English missionary refugees who
have arrived at Newchwang.
These people say the RussoChinese
bank has removed from Kirin to
! KWancheng Tsi, where commercial in
terests are seeking safety and defense
This reported advance has produced
CONSERVATION among the European civ
| ilians residing in the line of march. II
| is reported also that the Russian gov
| ernment bureau at Vladivostock mas
withdrawn to Kharvarovsk.
FRANCE NOT AFFECTED.
Paris. Feb. 26.-The French foreign
office categorically denies the report
nublished il a London paper that Ko-
rea having become the ally of Japan,
under the Japanese Korean treaty,
France is thereby required to become
the active ally of Russia The officials
say the situation does not warrant such
a conclusion. and add that the new
treaty does not make the slightest
change in the position of France.
RUSSIAN "BOTTLING' STORY.
ST. Petersburg. Feb. 26.-The Russ
this morning publishes the following
from Port Arthur, under date or F'ep-
ION the night of February "a the
Japanese attempted to blockade the
exit from Port Arthur bay in order to
| enclose our fleet concentrated within
| Under convoy of torpedo boats and
| TRANSPORTS the enemy advanced four
freighters in ballast at full speed to the
gateway, where it was intended to s1nk
the latter vessels; but the maneuveI
was Immediately observed on the bat
tleship Retvizan. which was standing
in the bay before the entrance. The
! Retvizan at once opened fire and after
If the batteries on the peak and those
on the promotory took part AS re-
suit the ships with which it was de-
signed to blockade the port were de-
stroyed and their mission rendered un-
successful. According to wholly un-
supported report, one Japanese torpedo
| boat was sunk
| snThe cannonade began before
o'clock in the morning and continued
until 7 o'clock From a. m, however
there were single discharges. The