Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-03-24
BATTLESHIP SUNK.
UnofHcia|Iy Reported at Toxic
That Russians Lose One.
Russians Cut OFF Direct News from
Port Arthur.
Troops in North Corea Being Deci.
mated by illness.

| Toxic. March a3.-A special dispatch
from Moji says that the Japanese fleet
attacked Port Arthur. March IS, bonn
bardcd the city and defences and
fought 4 furious engagement with the
Russian fleet outside the harbor de-
stroying one Russian battleship.
Seven Japanese casualties are re-
ported. There is no information Of the
Japanese fleets condition
The navy department is not advised
of any engagement. but evidently ex-
poets news.
Toxic. March 23-The special session OF
the Diet. today. entered upon the busi.
ness for which it was called. NJ Eatsu-
ra. the premier. and NJ. Komura. the min
lister for foreign affairs. addressed the
| House. The premier said thu. Diet had
heen summoned at an unparalleled mo-
mcnt in the annals of the country IL,
| counted it great honor to share with
the members the duty of upholding the
noble policy OF the Emperor. The main
East, the consolidation of the position OF
| the Emperor, the promotion of friendly
relations with the great powers and re-
| spcct for the legitimate rights of the
powers was. he said. the established ma
| tional policy of Japan.
| Continuing. the premier said
| Russia not only failed to meet the
Japancse proposals but dehantly resorted
I % cali toll q, ini,
tional rights Of japan. and Japan was
/ compelled in sclf-iefence to terminate the
negotiation and take independent action"
! The premier placed before the House
the fun tcNt Of the diplomatic corraspun-
! dence with Russia. beginning with the
| opening Of negotiations last July and end.
| ing with the instructions to NJ Kurino
the Japanese minister TO Russia, to with
draw from st. Petersburg. The subject
of this correspondence has already been
made public.
| Nj. Nomura. the minister for foreign af-
! fairs. said he was confident the world
would recognize tie justice ana Patience
uniformly exercised by japan in carry
/ ing forward the negotiations with Russia
The minister said he was anxionsly de-
s!rous of peace. Icing mindful OF the
woef'l consequences which war brings to
mankind
London, Mai, pa series Of messages
dated between March - and March l..
sent by correspondent of the Daily Mail
at Cinampho. Corea. describe the perfect
organization and arrangements OF the
Jal,2nesc in Colea. Elaborate prepara-
tions have been made for landing troops
! ard advancing them through the coun-
try. and pontoon bridges and stables are
built wherever they are found to be nee
cssary. The greatest difficulty facing TIL.
Japanese is the cpmmissariat. as owing to
the poor food supplies of corca it is
only possible at present to maintain 3UtOl
men.
The Japanese hold two enormously
strong positions. at Ping Yang ana on the
MiOkak San range between IIwang Ju
and Seoul. The latter. the correspondent
says is probably imprcgnable and Sc
cures Seoul from land attacks from the
northwest.
In the event Of defeat it is intended to
hold the passes at KaZan, thus protecting
the Fing Yang valley. The Japanese
troops are suffering from dysentcry and
pneumonia and many of the cavalry
horses, which the correspondent says are
poor. have died. but the army Is fun OF
spirit There are probably 20,CO0 Japanese
at Ping Yang which the correspondent
points ont might easily have been taken
when the Russian scouts first arrived.
there being then only 80 japanese sol
diers there.
The Russians intended to make Anju
their base. hut owing to the delay in the
arrival Of reinforcements they feared be-
ing cut off and so retired. Meanwhile
the Japanese advanced to Ping Yang by
forced marches the troops being almost
without equipment
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