The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-30

Moreover there is Information to the
effect that the Japanese propose to
storm Port Arthur with the briefest
possible delay, after having first
closed the harbor to render the
eGresS of the Russian ships impO Jsibie
at the last moment. thus forcing the
russians to destroy them without
subjecting the Japanese to the in
evitable losses which must occur if
the Russian squadron gets out for q
last fight before going to the bottom
| The previous attempts of the Japa-
nese to cork the haroof have been as
much with the view to this end as to
protect landings.
Nothing is known here Hnf the Chafoo
reports of fighting az Enchin Use four
teen miles from Port Arthur. but the
general staff hardly believes the enemy
could nave advanced SO rapidly.
The admiralty denies the reports of
the loss of two Russian torpedo boat
destroyers while laying mines which
destroyed the Japanese battleshipS
ttatsuse. The officials say Port Arthur
mas been heard from since the Hatsuse
was blown up and if the report of the
loss of the torpedo boat destroyers were
true they would have known it.
No surprise is expressed at the ad-
miralty at the Toxic report of the evil
dence contained in intercepted Russian
dispatches that the Hatsuse was blown
/ up by Russian stationary mines. The
officials decline, however, to comment
/ on the subject except to reiterate their
denial of the charge that the Russians
used floating or Driving mines. which
the officials nave insisted on from the
outset.
Another Army Leaves Japan.
Washington, May 3O.=Advices re-
ceived here report the departure from
Japan of another army division. While
its destination is not stated. it is con-
| Jectured that these troops are about
to close in on the Russians rear in
northeast Korea, cutting off the raid
ing parties which have threatened
General Kuroki's communications
Port Arthur Main Objective.
Lao Yang, May 30.-The impress
sion at headquarters is growing that
the main objective of the enemy is
! Port Arthur and it would not be sur
prising if the actual assault on that
tortress began WITHIN fortnight No
important movement of General
Kuroki had been reported up to the
time this dispatch was filed
The Grapes Were Sour.
st. Petersburg, May 3O.-A semi
| official telegram from Mukden, dated
today, says:
owing to the impossibility of de-
Tending the position southwark of Kin
! Chou without the aid of the fleet, the
Russian defense at that point was
only of a demonstrative character.
| The defending force was armed with
| guns taken from the Chinese and had
| little ammunition. The occupation of
the position by the Japanese at a
/ great cost to themselves does not
alter the situation"
SI6irmish With COssacl1s.
Toxic, May 80, p. ma detach-
ment of Japanese troops attacked and
defeated 1000 cossacks at Al Yang
( Pien Men, northeast of Feng Wang
Cheng, Saturday. The engagement
began at 1920 and ended at 11:30 a.
m. The japanese lost four men killed
and 20 wounded. The Russian cas-
| ualties are not known
-Four Lines of Defense.
Chefoo. May 80. p. m.-From
] Chinese sources it is learned that
| the Russians have four lines of de-
fense between Nanshan and Port Ar
| thur.
Russians Continue to Retire.
Toxic, May 80. p m.-General
Oku, in command of the japanese
forces operating against Port Arthur,
reports that the Russians have aban-
doned Chen 10 Chen Pau, Huang
Shan and Liu Shu Tun- No Russians
have been seen east of Chen Ko Chen
Pau. General Nakura's detachment
| which occupied Liu Shu Tun Friday
captured four Russian guns.