Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-10
and the announcement is discred-
tied.
Only Four Jap Battalions Landed.

Only -Four Jap BattalloOS Landed.
LONDON, February 1O.-According to the
official advices received by Baron Hayashi
only four battalions of Japanese troops
have up to the present been landed at Che
mulpo, Korea.
The text of the official dispatch received
by Baron Hayashi is as follows:
"On Monday a Japanese squadron es-
corting transports met on the way to
Chemulpo, Korea. the Russian gunboat
Korietz. as the latter was coming out of
port. The Korietz took up an offensive at
ttude toward the Japanese vessels and
fired on the Japanese torpedo boats. The
latter discharged two torpedoes Ineffective
ly and then the korietz returned to her an
chorage in the port.
Japs Issued Ultimatum.
early in the morning of Tuesday Ad-
miral Urik, commanding the Japanese
squadron, formally called on the Russian
warships to leave Chemulpo before noon.
The admiral added that if his demand was
not complied with he would be compelled
to attack them in the harbor. The two
Russian warships left the port at about
II so am. and battle ensued outside the
Polynesian Islands. After about an hours
engagement the Russian warships sought
refuge among the islands. Toward the
evening the Russian cruiser Variag sank
and at about 4 I'm. today, February 10. the
Korietz was reported to have also sunk,
having been blown up. The officers and
men of the two sunken vessels sought ref
uge on the French cruiser Pascal. There
were no casualties on the japanese SIDE"
The cruiser Variag, which was built at
Dl,il n1Ynhf in
was of steel and unsheathed. She was of
500 tons displacement and her indicated
horse power was 10000. On her speed trials
she made "a knots per hour for eight hours.
She was 400 feet long, 81 feet in beam and
had depth Of hold of 20 feet The Va
rags armament consisted of twelve 6-inch
quick firing guns, twelve 12-pounder quick
firers, eight 3-pounder quick firers, two
1-pounders and six torpedo tubes, two of
which were submerged.
The Korietz was built in Stockholm. She
was of steel, and was 2O6 feet in length 30
feet in BEAM LAB tons displacement and
1,5OO indicated horse power. Her speed was
13 knots. The armament of the korietz
consisted Of two S-inch breech leaders, one
6-inch breach loader, four 4.7-inch quick
firers, two 6-pounder quick-firers. four
1-pound revolving cannon and two torpedo
tubes.
(, Engagements Planned Beforehand.
LONDON, February 1O-"We were slow
In negotiating, SO we are making up for
lost time by quickness in action" said
Baron Hayashi this morning. 1.-THE en-
gagements at Port Arthur and Chemulpo
were merely in accordance with plans long
matured. AS soon as our forces are landed
~, 7 iYnn
action at Port Arthur.
"The Russian vessels are not likely to
give up the advantage they gained by
being under the cover of their land bat
teries. By going to the Chinese sde how
ever, the Japanese fleet, by high angle
fire. can drop In shells which should make
1t very uncomfortable for the Russian ships
lying moored close to one another. Thereby
1t Is hoped to drive out Viceroy Alexieff's
forces.
Possibly, like Admiral Cervera, he may
anticipate fate and come into the open of
his own accord. The present events merely
go to show the utter uselessness of Port
Arthur from strategic viewpoint"
Preservation of China.
Dealing with Secretary Hays note to the
powers on the subject Of preserving the
integrity of China, Baron Hayashi said:
1.-THE neutrality Of China was first sug
gested by my government, and we received
assurances that Chinese neutrality would
be observed. Japan will certainly agree
most heartily to Secretary Hays propo-
sition, which appears chiefly to be due to
the suspicion that Russia might find
pretext for military action against China.
'1f, however, the United States and other
powers contemplate the neutrality Of Man
churia the case becomes very complicated.
So long as there are Russian troops in
Manchuria Japan cannot regard it as
neutral territory.
II scarcely think the United States. Great
Britain or any other power would be will
ing to drive the Russians out OF Man.
churia, however much they might insist
that Manchuria is part Of neutral China.
$50. while we are anxious to assist In
assuring the neutrality Of China proper we
have every intention Of waging an aggres-
siye land campaign In Nanchux1a ttsa,1