Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-26
RUSSIA PREPARES
FOR hOSTILIT|ES
Military Activity At Black Sea Ports
Said to Continue on an Ex.
tensive Scale.
zen md STORES BEING HURRIED
TOR SHIPMENT 10 FAR EAST

orders Issued at Port Arthur for
Drawing Up of List of All Available
Reserves In Observation-Disclosures
AZ to Fence or War VIII he Soon
Arrived At.
New York, Jan. 25.-Military activity
at the Black sea ports continues on a
more extensive scale than ever, cables
q Russian correspondent Of the Times.
Men are arriving for shipment on trans
ports for the far east. The railways are
gorged with military stores. Private
freight is sidetracked in order to expe-
dite the shipment Of supplies.
Five more transports, carrying 25, 600
tons Of cargo and a large number OF
troops, will be dispatched as soon as pos
sible. The transports will take guns
and munitions, which are needed at
Port Arthur. The Russian officers are
wagering on the chances OF this or that
transport reaching its destination in
advance Of the opening OF hostilities.
Preparing Lists 81 Reserves.
Port Arthur, Jan. %. - After con-
ference Of the heads Of all departments
Of the Manchurian administration or
ders were issued that list OF every
available army and navy reserve man in
Manchuria be drawn up, as well as list
Of those indispensable for the civil adj
ministration which it is impossible to
send to the front. 1t is claimed that the
reserves total $4,000 men.
The bulk of the Port Arthur fleet is
stationed just outside the mouth of the
harbor. Naval and military stores in
unusual quantities are being bought on
condition Of immediate delivery. The
admiralty authorities, answering in
quiries on the part of ship-owners, de-
cline to define the rights Of neutral ships
bound for Japan. Shipping rates have
advanced hundred per cent. during the
last fortnight; otherwise the trafic OF
foreign ships, especially in japanese
coal, which is obtained by indirect pur-
chase, continues normal. The ship
ping companies. however, are prepar-
ing to withdraw from here. The au-
thorities are considering the question
of removing the non-combatants, for
whose transportation ships are in read.
mess.
High ohlcials here say they believe
war OF peace will be decided upon before
Monday.
Owing to the disorder in the native city
here among the coolies because the gov
eminent works have been stopped large
guards occupy all the streets nightly.
Corea Declares Her Neutrality.
Seoul, Jan. 25.-The Corean govern
& ment hes made formal declaration of
neutrality In the event Of war between
Japan and Russia.
Mfnlster Denies Report.
London, Jan. 25.-There is no con-
Armation here Of the reports that Japan
has occupied Masampho. Baron Ha.
yashi.. the japanese minister, not only
discredited them, but said that the Jap.
anese government had previously decid.
ed not to take any half measures, or any
steps which could be construed as being
prejudiciAl to the negotiations SO Ion:
as tney are proceeding.
When Japan decides to take action
he added, she will announce itfranklJ
to Russia and the rest of the world"
According to Baron Hayashi, the sit.
uation is unchanged. He continues tt
take the gloomiest view of the situation
The correspondent Of the Morning
Post at Chefoo has sent in an alarm
ing report that 10000 Japanese troops
have landed at Ma-Sam- Pho, in southern
Corea, and the Port Arthur correspond
ent Of the Paris edition New YORK Her.
aid also refers in a dispatch to the fact
that the news Of the occupation of Ma
Sam-Pho is being received calmly.
Causes Fresh Appreciation.
Washington, Jan. 23.-The situation
in Corea is arousing fresh apprehension
ofrenewed troublein the far east. Ithas
been the opinion Of the military experts
here that in the event of war between
Russia and Japan, Corea would be made
the battle ground at least in the begin
ming. Mr.. Allen, the American minister
Ut Seoul, cabled the state department
Friday from Seoul Is follows: "Consid-
enable disturbances throughout Corea.
The japanese have been attacked in
many places" tits learned that in view
OF the possibility Of Corea being unable
to afford proper protection to Japanese
subjects, the Toxic authorities have dis
patched Japanese military officer Of
the highest rank, namely major gen
esai, 10 Seoul, where he will be in posi-
zion to direct any military operations
that japanese troops may undertake.
TheGoSean government has {, 500 men un-
der arms. but they have not been trained
in . modern school Of war and rather
resemble constabulary than soldiers. It
is anticipated here that Japan In corea
wil repeat the performance OF Russia in
Nanehufia and make the disturbances
ton the Japanese railway the ground for
a military occupation Of the line in great
force, corresponding to the Russian oc-
.cupation Of the Manchurian railway.
United States Minister Griscom re-
ports to the state department from
Toxic that there has been no change in
the situation there relative to the Rus
sian negotiations. Intense interest is
exhibited, but the Japanese are waiting
with patience for the decision OF Russia.
Aaash of Bishop Dudley.
New York. Jan. Is. - Bishop Thomas
Underwood Dudley. Of Louisville, KY,
died here Friday Of heart disease.
Cold In Minnesots.
! st. Paul, MINI, Jan. 25.-saturday
was spoken OF here as the coolest OF the
winter although the mercury has gone