The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-02-19

That the Japanese pTOpOS0 70 Cut tn0
line Of communication we'll up on the
railroad running from Niuchwang to
Port Arthur. It is expected q large
Japanese force will land at Niuchwang
shortly for this purpose.
Squadron la Sight.
Toxic, Feb. 16-The Russian Vladi-
vostok squadron is still in sight, cruis-
ing in the Sea of Japan. A report to
the effect that Matsuima, on the inland
sea, had been bombarded by the Rus
sian squadron is untrue.
There is no fear of the, Russians in
tercepting the Kagara and the Niasin
or effecting a junction with the Port
Arthur squadron. The Russians pos
sess no naval bases except those at
Port Arthur and Vladivostok, and the
latter may freeze up and bar the re-
treat of the squadron. Despite Rus
sian assurances minimizing the dam
age sustained by Admiral Togo's at
tack last Tuesday at Port Arthur, the
Japanese are certain that the Port
Arthur fleet was severely crippled.
Admiral Togo's feet was not severely
damaged and was capable of fighting
another battle Immediately afterward.
The battleship Fiji was the most seri-
ously damaged. Withdrawals for re-
pairs from the japanese fleet will not
materially reduce Its fighting strength.
Lieutenant Commander Yamanaya, a
gallant and promising officer, was the
most prominent of those killed on the
Japanese side at Port Arthur.
To Defer Forward Movement.
Toxic, Feb. 16.-The date of the for
ward movement of the main body Of
the Japanese army has not been dis
closed, but it probably will be de-
ferred until after the completion of
naval operations. The publication OF
the numbers of soldiers at the points
of mobilization is still forbidden.
The mobilization is progressing With
surprising celebrity and without cohfu-
sion. The staff shows a remarkable
mastery 81 details. The main railways
are canceling or curtailing schedules
and devoting> every energy to fac1l1-
tate the movement of troops. The re-
serves are assembling and occupying
the garrisons vacated by the regulars,
and this movement is progressing with
the precision of drilled army All
are immensely eager to take the field.
subscriptions have been opened for the
first 100,0O0,000 yen war bonds. The
subscriptions will close March 10. 1t
is anticipated that sthe issue will be
oversubscribed many times. The coun-
try is preparing for long war and
seems capable Of sustaining Itself
financially for two years. She pos
sesses vast military and naval stores
and excellent home credit. Her SOL
diers and sailors are ready to give
their services free If necessary.
Account of Battle.
London, Feb. 16.-The correspondent
of the press at st. Petersburg cables
as follows:
est. Petersburg, Feb. l6.-The first
unofficial account of the battle OF Port
Arthur on Tuesday last has been re-
ceiyed in a. telegram dated Port
Arthur, February 9. 1t is as follows:
at half-past II o'clock this morn
ing Japanese squadron of Is vessels
began the bombardment of Port
Arthur. Our squadron and fortresses
replied, and the battle lasted 40 min
utes.
1.-THE Japanese squadron could not
stand the well-placed first fire of our
fleet, and particularly of the forts, and
began a rapid retirement The Jap
anese flagship was seriously damaged
and. according to the testimony of an
eyewitness, five other Japanese ships
were considerably injured. Boats be-
longing to the port report that they
saw two Japanese ships sinking at sea.
"Our losses afloat were two officers
wounded, one so slightly that he con-
tinued fighting, six men killed and 81
wounded. In the forts two men were
slightly wounded. The bombardment
of the forts and the town did no dam
age. but frightened the populace. At
intervals during the night firing was
heard at sea-"
The dispatch adds that the temper
of the army and navy is excellent and
that the bulletins circulated by the
Noyycrai have begun to tranquilize
the people, No attempts have been
made by the Japanese to land on tn
Kwang-Tung peninsula.
A SUDDEN CALL.