Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-02-16
Scraps aud farts.


recently been reelected senator from
Ohio, and was prominently spoken OF
as a candidate for the presidency. He
was very patient during his illness. and
his last audible words were character
lied by the pleasant considerate dis
position that was a part of his nature.
Both houses Of congress adjourned to-
day out Of respect to the senator's
memory and arrangements are being
made for a public funeral.
The state department at Washing
ton has asked the Russian government
for an explanation Of its action IN de-
tanning the American steamship Leiades
at Port Arthur. This steamship was at
Port Arthur during the fight between
the Russian and japanese fleets, and
Russia ordered her to remain. The
owners of the vessel appealed to
Washington. But little significance at
taches to the incident, however. The
object of holding the vessel back was
to prevent the members Of the crew
from giving out information to Japan,
and the owners Of the vessel will no
doubt receive demurrage to the amount
of from 500 to 5000 according to the
value Of their cargo, etc.
Dispatches published yesterday
morning and this morning contain a
few additional scattering facts and ru-
mors as to operations at the theatre OF
war in the east. While trying to af-
feet a landing near Port Arthur one
day last week, some 400 Japanese
troops were sabered by Cossacks. The
Russian loss was severe; but not so
great as that Of the Japanese. About
10000 japanese troops were landed at
Chemulpo two days ago, and 1t was
reported yesterday that terrific bat
tie was on ON the north bank OF the
Yalu river This indicates decisive
battle, the Russians being concentrat-
ed on the Yalu river in their strongest
force. 1t is admitted by the Russians
that the japanese are pouring thou
sands of troops into Manchuria. A ru-
NOR from Tien Tsin Is to the effect
that the Japanese have sunk eight and
captured ten more Russian warships,
but this is not confirmed.
Russia has. strong fleet In the
Baltic sea and still stronger fleet
in the Black sea. Since the heavy
losses have occurred in the east, the
question has been raised as to sending
the Baltic and the Black sea fleets to
Port Arthur and Vladivostock. Under
the terms Of the treaty Of Berlin, made
in 1871, the Black sea fleet cannot
pass through the Dardanelles except
with the consent Of Turkey, England
end the other European powers. Tur-
key Is willing to give her consent to
the passage. She would be glad to get
the fleet out, and she would not let 1t
go back again. England, however, is
unwilling to permit the passage Of the
fleet, and she Is in position to help
herself with a powerful fleet at Cy-
prus. The transfer of the Baltic
fleet is also impracticable for the rea.
son that Great Britain owns the coal
ing stations on the way, and would not
be willing to let the Russians have
enough coal to carry them through.
- Fuller details of the battle OF
Chemulpo, in which the Russian crui-
sers Variag and Koreitz were sunk,
have come in. 1t seems that although
overpowered the Russians made he
roic fight. The two Russian vessels
were in the harbor where there was
also a Japanese cruiser. Chemulpo is
in Korea, and therefore supposed to be
a neutral port. That Is the reason the
two Russians did not jump on the sin
gle Japanese cruiser that was lying
between them. and which they could
have blown out Of the water. Pres
emily the japanese fleet arrived outside
of the harbor unknown to the Rus
slams. The admiral sent a wireless
message to the Japanese fleet to come
out and 1t did so. The two Russians
followed, thinking to get easy prey.
Suddenly the whole Japanese fleet,
consisting of five cruisers appeared.
The admiral signaled the commanders
Of the Russian cruiser to surrender.
The Russians, although realizing that
they were trapped, ignored the signal
and terrible battle ensued. After an
hour both Of the Russian vessels, being
badly crippled went back into the har-
Dor. The Japs sent message to the
effect that unless the Russians came
out the Japs would go after them. At
this the two Russian vessels came
out, the bands playing their national
airs and every man at his post. The
fight was resumed and continued until
the two Russian vessels were sunk.
1t is not known whether the Russian
vessels were sunk by Japanese shells,
or from explosions produced by the
Russians themselves to avoid falling
into the hands of the enemy.
Russia has patiently worked and
has expended millions Of rubles on the
defences of Vladivostock, the eastern
terminus Of the Trans Siberian railroad
and the Tsar's Gibraltar of the north.
Vladivostock hardly will be an early
object Of Japanese attack, for the rea-
son that it is remote from the region
in which the war must first be fought
Korea and Manchuria-and, should
vladivostock ever be under siege, it
will take not only a mighty force by
sea, but an immense army of invest
ment to reduce, it. The harbor is ad-
mirably located with narrow entrances,
bordered on all sides by hills Of ample
height, to give excellent elevation to