The Irish standard., 1904-05-21

ST. Petersburg, May 16.-Dispatches
given out by the general staff state spe-
cihcally that the Chinese have begun
hostili,ies against Russia. A dispatch
from Liaoyang says that 500 Chunchuses
descended from the hills on Friday and
attacked 100 Russian frontier guards
near iantai, station between Lao
yang and Mukden. The Russians We're
hurriedly reinforced and the brigands
routed with loss of 70 men killed and
wounded. Sixteen prisoners were talk
en-. The Russians suffered no losses. 1t
is stated that the killed included several
disguised Japanese.
Apprehension in St. Petersburg.
st. Petersburg, May 1G.-In view of
the official dispatches regarding the
hostile attitude of the Chinese within
and without the Russian sphere Of in
tiuence the authorities here do not
conceal their apprehension as to the
outlook, especially in the north of the
empire. for they propose to call the at
tention of the celestial government to
the impending uprising in Tapad2iatsi
in order that repressive measures may
be Instantly taken. 1t is known and
appreciated here that all the powers
have made strong representations to
Pehln in the interests of the preserva-
ton of the tranquility of the empire,
but ii is stated that Maj Gen. Plugs
dispatch OF May IA shows the neces-
sity for further impressing the celes-
tlal government with the advisability
OF acting with a firm hand
Says China Will Remain Neutral.
ST. Petersburg, May 17.-ln order to
allay Russian apprehension as to the
attitude OF China the Chinese minister
here has given Foreign Minister
Lamsdorff fresh assurances of the
purpose Of his government not to vio-
late its neutrality and to preserve
tranquility throughout the empire.
Urges Strict Neutrality.
London, May 1.-THE Shanghai cor
respondent of the Morning Post says that
the Chinese government is addressing
an identical note to all its ministers
abroad renewing China's declaration of
neutrality and that an imperial edict
will be issued enjoining the Chinese pco-
pie to strictly observe neutrality.
japanese Boat Destroyed.
Toxic, May 1.-THE japanese tor
pedo boat No. as was destroyed while
removing mines from Kerr bay, north
OF Talienwan port Dalny) Thursday.
Seven men were killed and seven were
wounded. This is the first warship
Japan has lost in the war.
Inc torpcnp boat was lost during Sc
ries OF bombardments and surveying op-
erations at Talienwan, Deep and Kerr
bays. by Admiral kataoka, commander
On the Third squadron. Torpedo boats
Nos. as and 40 discovered large me-
chanica! mine in Kerr bay. Their va
rlous attempts to blow it up failed, and it
suddenly exploded of itself, cutting No.
IS in two, The torpedo boat sank in
seven minutes. The squadron hurried
boats to the rescue and picked up the
wounded. Three other mines were dis
covered and exploded.
Dispatch Boat Destroyed.
Toxic, May 1.-THE japanese dis
patch boat Miyako was destroyed in
Kerr bay by striking submerged
mine.
The Miyako was lost while assisting
in the operations of clearing the Rus
sian mines from Kerr bay, northeast
OF TalienWan bay, on which Port Dali
Ky is situated. Admiral Kataoka,
commander of the Third squadron, re-
turned there Sunday with a detach-
menl or his squadron, protecting two
1lollilas OF torpedo boats which had
beeh detailed to complete sweeping the
harbor by the removal of mines. Five
mines were discovered and exploded,
and the work was being suspended for
the day when the Miyako struck an
undiscovered mine, which exploded
with tremendous force under stern,
on the port side, and inflicted immense
Damage on the hull. The Miyako
sank in % minutes. Two sailors were
]illed and % men were wounded. The
rest OF The crew were rescued.
Attack on Port Arthur Expected.
Cheloo, May IA combined land
I'D sea attack on Port Arthur is ex-
e"tod to lahe place between May 20
and May 90 The Japanese hope to oc-
cHpy Port Dalny within few days.
Dalny is not fortified, the only fort
in The vicinity being one midway be-
tween TalieEwan and Kinchou After
tao destruction Of the submarine
mines 3t Taljanwan tho Jopopoco I,
tend to land additional troops there
and commence an attack on Port
Arthur.
Chinese Bandits Attacked.
St. Petersburg, May 1.-THE general
staff has received the following dispatch
from Lieut.. Gen. Sakharoff, Gen. Kuro-
patEins chief-of-staf, dated May is:
"On May ID | was informed that Chinese
bandits had appeared in villages 1G kilo-
meters west of Liaoyang, and sent out