The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-13
HEAVY FIGHTING.
Russian Losses at Port Arthur
Reported Enormous.

Berlin, Aug. ia dispatch TO the
Lokal Anzeiger from Toxic, timed 1880
D. m. today, says that heavy fighting
took place at Port Arthur all night
tuesday and Wednesday and that the
Russian losses are reported to be enor-
nous.
Japan Must DO Right Thing.
LONDON, Aug. 13.-The cutting out of
the Russian torpedo boat destroyer
Ryeshitelni by the Japanese torpedo
boat destroyerS at Chefoo has elipsed
for the moment in the public mind the
steamer Knight Commander incident.
Both, however, are receiving the earn
est attention of the cabinet. All the
information received at the Japanese
legation, which, however, it is said is
not official, tends to establish the fact
that the Japanese torpedo boat destroy
erS entered Chefoo for the purpose or
ascertaining if the Ryeshitelni was
really dismantIed and unable to take
part in future operations, that the Jap
aneSe boat crew was attacked by the
Russians and that the Japanese replied
in self defense and that seeing the
Ryeshitelni was able to continue mill
tary operations she was towed out to
sea-
This version does not agree with the
original reports received by the Brit
ish foreign office in which the Jap
anese are said to have been the ag-
gressors The British government, the
Associated Press is informed. has
evinced a desire that Japanese should
not cast a doubt on the neutrality of
China and has expressed confidence
that Japan will repair any errors COM
mitted by subordinate officials. At the
Chinese legation 1t was said that no
instructions had been received from
Pekin regarding the Ryeshitelni but IL
was believed that the Japanese gov
eminent would not fail to observe its
pledge to respect the neutrality of the
Chinese and if necessary go to the
extent of returning the Ryeshitelni to
Chefoo. The legation fears that I'M
less Japan makes reparatfon Russia
may refuse to observe Chinese neutral
ity in the future. 1t is this aspect of
the incident which moved the British
to consult Japan. 1t is
not believed either in government or
circles here that Japan Will
repeat at Woosong the action taken
at Chefoo, but that she will station
cruisers outside the port and attack
the Russian vessels when they come
out. Beside restoring the Ryeshitelni
the Russian embassy here says Japan
will have to apologize to China and
promise to pay an indemnity to the
families of the Russian Seamen killed
in the lighting at Chefoo.
Too Delicate to Talk About.
Paris, Aug. 13.-The foreign Office
here has not yet received any COM |
from Russia on the SUBJ |
iect of the Chefoo incident, and has
itiative.
Public opinion considers that the at
tack on the Ryeshitelni was a serious |
breach Of the laws of neutrality and |
there is little doubt that similar view |
IS held in official quarters where the |
matter is deemed too delicate for dis |
,ussion pending further developments. |
Grozovoi Little Damaged.
London, Aug. ia dispatch from /
Shanghai published in the second edi- |
q Times q oil "
en- for the entrance of the Russian |
torpedo boat destroyer Grozovoi into |
that port is that it is necessary to re-
pair her machinery. The vessel, the dis
patch adds, shows no signs of recent |
lighting. except that her forward rails
ire damaged Her hull, guns and tor
pedo tubes are uninjured.
The officers of the GroZovoi report /
hat the Russian warships after a Sc
we're engagement forced their way
through the Japanese feet and escaped
n several directions.
To Save NOncombatants.
Toxic. Aug. 13-7 A. M.-The emperor
through Field Marshal Yamagata, chief
IF the general staff, has directed Field
Marshal Oyama, commander of the
Japanese armies in the field to permit
he women, priests, merchants and di-
0lomats and the officers of neutral DOW
ers to leave Port Arthur and to extend
% them shelter at Port Dalny. Oyama
S given authority to remove other nom
sOmbatantS not enumerated, providing
{ does not affect the military opera
ions. Yamagatas formal order declares
hat the emperor prompted by human
ty desires to spare the non-combat-
lnts from Port Arthur from devastation
by fire and sword.
Her Fighting Days Over.
Chefoo. Aug. 1910 p. m.-The steam
r Dagmar arriving tonight from |
Tsingchou had on board the harbor /
blot who steered the Russian battle
nip Czarevitch into that port He L
confirms the reports of the Associated |,
Press regarding the damage to the /
Czarevitch and adds that her rudder
matt was broken during the fight but +
hat her engines are not badly injured. l.
lie expressed the opinion that the fight
ng days of the CzaIevitch are over and I