Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-02-13
Uncertain Whether japanese Will
Strike First or Russians Take
The Initiative.
SILENCE REIGNS IN FAR EAST.
No News from Any SOurce-Iaps VIII
Use a New aud Powerful.
Explosive.

London, Feb. l2.-When and where
Will Japan strike next, or viii the kus'
SLAMS take the initiative? This is the
question being discussed in naval cir
sles here. There is considerable mys-
terry. too. In connection with the where
abouts OF the japanese feet which at
tackled at Port Arthur Tuesday. When
last reported the ships were heading
across the Straits Of Korea. one the
DRY OF experts trained in the art OF sea
fighting IL that some Of the vessels
have been sent north with a view Of en-
gaglng the cars fleet at Vladlyostock.
which is the most important base RUS
sia has In Siberia.
II, It is argued. the Japanese can en-
tloe the Russians to the outer harbor
and engage them they will have an OPP
portunlty OF securing greater victory
than that at Port Arthur.
Another theory is that the mikados
strategists have withdrawn the fleet
while mapping out new campaign
against Port Arthur.
Those British officials who are cog
infant OF the extraordinary thorough
mes with which Japan prepared for the
war, are inclined to share the Japanese
view regarding the duration OF the
struggle.
Baron Hayashi, the japanese minister
here has received dispatch from
Toxic announcing that on Feb. IL two
japanese merchant steamers the Max
anoura Maru and 2ensho Maru, while
on their way from Sakata to Otaru ION
the Island Of KokkaidO) were sur
rounded and sheled by four Russian
warships. presumably the VladIyostocN
squadron, of the coast OF Herunshi
(Okushiri)
NO NEWS FROM ORIENT
London, Feb. i3.-Complete silence
has fallen over the far east Not a
word OF news Is to be had here except
the report given out at the japanese
legation Of the Smelling Of two Jap
anese merchant vessels by four Rus
sian warshps, and the report from
Vlceroy Alexieff Of the blowing up Of
the Russian torpedo transport YEN
ipel. This long silence has given rise
TO the belief that important events are
Transporting
A dispatch 10 the Daily Mirror from
Toxic says that the Japanese have
blown up portion OF the Siberian rail-
road, but this Is probably only a repetl-
tion OF previous similar reports.
Tho Daily Mail learns that the Jap
nnese viii bring into use q new explo-
sive, which IL alleged to be more power
ful than any hitherto discovered
II Is announced that the Imperial
Bank OF Russia at 81. Petersburg has
raised the rate Of discount | per cent.
The Russian government has asked
permission 10 dock a disabled torpedo
boat destroyed at suez. but this re-
quest was refused, as the authorities
at Port Said had surveyed the destroy
err and declared her III to proceed.
The sultan received the Russian am
bassador TO Turkey In private audience
yesterday.
The correspondent OF the Times at
Wei Hai-Wel. In dispatch dated
Feb. II says the steamer Fusing, which
is taking Chinese refugees to Shang-
hal, has brought the following account
Of the Port Arthur engagement
THE garrisons OF the Port Arthur
forts were absent from their stations,
so retaliation was impossible. Day
light showed two Russian batteships
and one cruiser apparently total
wrecks. The Japanese attack was re-
sumed In the morning. when another
battleship was disabled and beached.
The fire from the forts compelled the
Japanese 10 retire, The Russian feet
appeared 10 be completely demoralized.
ana their torpedoes were useless
against the japanese.
THE Fuslng, which was flying the
British flag moved out, as she held a
Russian permit to so. The guardshlp,
nowever, fired three shells nj her
which resulted In the woundng Of FIVE
Of her Chinese crew, Capt. Gray, COM
mandlng the Fuslng, then boarded the
guardship and obtained permission to
proceed after he had signed n promise
not to divuge what had occurred. The
Russians said they were very sorry
they had fired on his ship"
The Associated Press understands
that the japanese troops are advancing
rapidly toward the Yalu river There,
II is expected they VIII meet and en-
gaze the Russian forces The Japan
csc declare that the number of Russian
troops are greatly exaggerated.
The plan Of the japanese appears to
be to take the road which leads almost
strainght to Mukden They profess to
have no doubt that they win be able
to drive back the Russian forces to-
ward Hardin.