Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-05-06
WAR IN THE EAST.

burg yesterday to the effect that another
battle had been fought between Russians
and japanese and that the latter had
been repulsed, are not confirmed.
Censored press dispatches indicate that
the important Japanese movements look
ing to the investment of Port Arthur
both by land and sea are progressing. 1t
is believed Vice Admiral Togo has ef-
fectively blocked the harbor, aud that
troops have been landed on the Liaotung
peninsula with a view to cutting the
railroad to Port Arthur.
There are also rumors of another bat
tie in Marchuria, near the Yalu river,
and of an engagement between the
Vladivostok squadron and the japanese
squadron, commanded by Vice Admiral
Kamimura.
Five japanese warships, with large
number of transports, have been seen
near Kinhow Bay on the west coast of
the Liaotung peninsula north of Port
Arthur.
Vice Admiral Togo's squadron is be-
hind the Liaoshan promontory, south of
Port Arthur, according to dispatch di-
rect fiom that place, which also says
that transports, with japanese troops on
board, have arrived at Pitsewo, north
east of Port Arthur, with the object of
making landing.
Pitsewo is situated on the east coast
of tbs Liaotung peninsula and about 10
miles northeast of Port Arthur. 1t is
near the narrow part of the peninsula,
along which passes the railroad connect
ing Port Al ithur with Mukden and Har-
bin. Kinkow Bay, where japanese
transports are also reported to have
been sighted, is on the west coast of the
Liaotung peninsula and not far from
PitsewO.
Chinese junks which arrived at Chefoo
yesterday reported that fleet Of 40 Jap
anese warships and transports was off
Wei Hal Wei Tuesday, steaming north
west.
The effect Of the disaster to Russian
arms on the Yalu upon the Chinese is
being watched with keen interest and
considerable apprehension. The Rus
sian government appears to be satisfied
with the situation for the moment, and
Paul Lessar, the Russian minister at
Peking, is making daily reports TO the
foreign Office. The report received from
the minister yesterday contained nothing
disquiting
The Peking government, according to
Russian reports, seems to be acting in
perfect good faith and insists that it is
intent upon preserving neutrality. 1t
is turning deaf ear to the appeals of
anti Russian leaders, who want China
to throw in her lot with Japan, and is
doing all possible to suppress anti-foreign
agitation among the people.
Nevertheless, the Russian authorities
regard China as powder magazine.
They realize the danger inherent in the
situation and the necessity for constant
pressure on the Peking government
The danger of an anti-fOreign move
ment throughout the Chinese Empire
exists not only for Russia, but for all
the powers, and Russia has at least three
times since the outbreak of the war ad-
dressed the powers on the subject, the
last time being less than 10 days ago.
The answers received uniformly show a
full appreciation Of the need of exelcis-
ing restraining influence on Peking, and
all the powers are cooperating to this
end.
Korean officials admit that the Japan
ese do not continue victorious in their
operations on the Yalu river and in Man
churia the Tonghaks (bandits) Of north
ern Korea will rise in open rebellion.
Their leaders are now, it is said, await
ing any japanese reverse. 1t is probable
that the southern branch Of the Tong
haks has already risen, as they are now
troubling the district officials, annoying
the japanese workmen on the Seoul
Fusan Railway and endeavoring to in
timidate the Korean coolies to stop work.
Effective military occupation has silenced
the northern agitation, and it probably
will be necessary for the japanese to
take stringent measures to quiet south
e-n Korea. 1t is rumored that Ki Yung
Su, former mayor of Seoul, who was
believed to have been the fomenter Of
the Bedlar riots last March, has thea
trical plot, in the event that Russia is
victorious, to combine the Tonghaks and
alleged Catholic converts and murder
several French priests, hoping thereby
to force the stationing of French garri-
sons in the troubled districts in order to
cOmplicate the situation.