Evening star., 1904-02-23

Ioie8fdplp CaDtinS unoef GATE OF FeDFuaFy
"a reports that the Japanese squadron has
Port Arthur by using Russian signals. This
dispatch appears to confirm reports from
various quarters of fresh attack on Port
Arthur by the japanese.
The report reached Nagasaki from Che
foo. and it adds that the Russian crews
of the four torpedo boats have been trans
ferred.
No other news of this attack has been
received in London, but the Chefoo cor
respondent of the Morning Post, in dis
patch dated February q says the state
ment is current there that the Japanese
torpedo boat destroyers. in the attack on
Port Arthur on February IA. sank or dam
aged two Russian battle ships. in addition
TO the torpedo boat already reported. It is
possible. therefore, that the report of the
Ielegraph's Nagasah correspondent also
refers to the earlier attack.
Manned Now by Naval Gunners.
viceroy Alexieffs retirement to Harbin is
now an accomplished fact. and a corre-
spondent Of the Associated Press cables
that Port Arthur is now strictly a naval
stronghold, and the forts are being manned
by naval gunners.
Only twenty foreigners are now at Port
arthur, and they are traders disposing of
their merchandise. Some of them are under
suspicion, and there is likelihood of their
Deing arrested. There are many complaints
of unwarranted arrests unexplained ex-
pulsions and defamation of character by
the Port Arthur police
dispatch to the Daily Mail. from Hong
kong says British suuadr is concentrat-
ing there. and that a corresponding French
concentration of warships is occurring at
Saigon India-China. This is supposedly a
result OF the Anglo-French understanding
American Naval Demonstration.
According to the Nagasaki correspondent
OF the Daily Telegraph. the American
squadron, the vessels of which are various
~ reported at Chefoo and Shanghai, is go
ing to make demonstration at the mouth
of the Yalu river
Indennite reports of the movements of
troops In the vicinity of the Yalu river and
statements of attempts to cut the Siberian
railroad are also published this morning
The Wei-Hai-Wei correspondent of the
Times describes a visit to Chemulpo Ko-
rea, on February 10, and the Japanese
landing operations there. which he says.
aeihonstfated that the Japanese military
organization is superior to that of any
European power A general japanese ad-
vance along the Peking road to Ping-yany
horea, the correspondent continues is ex-
pected shortly.
Advance on Ping-Yang.
The original plan was to land at Masam-
po' ont the naval successes enabled the
japanese to begin operations at Cbemulpo.
and further change of base to Chjnnam-
po is highly probable. AS soon as the ice
breaks up troops will be established at Ping
Yang in sufficient strength to guard against
a sudden Russian descent 1t is believed
that while the sea power of Russia at VIad-
lyostok is intact. the Japanese will not at
tempt to land on the eastern coast Of Korea
AS an evidence of Japans intention. 1t is
NJ pf r,otA !, l.,
patroling toward the northward of Korea.
and that she is not landing artillery at
Chemulpo. Everything suggests an imme-
diate dash for strategic position in north
ern Korea. the correspondent concludes,
and it is possible the Russians are consider
ably farther south than supposed.
Rumored Attack on Port Arthur.
1t is reported at Tokyo that Vice Admiral
Togo has again attacked Port Arthur 1t is
impossible to confirm the statement, but the
navy department says it has had no news
from Togo today. 1t is considered very
probable that the vice admiral has made
another attack on the Russians as he is
engaged in blockading Port Arthur.
Headquarters at Harbin.
Viceroy Alexieff and his full staff have
just arrived at Hardin. where headquarters
have been established. He left Port Arthur
last Saturday. February 20. for Mukden.
Before leaving he handed over the COM
mand of the navy to Vice Admiral Stark.
Prince Khilkoff, minister of railroad COM
munication, has proceeded for Manchuria
from Irkutsk, after having seen that the
railroad on the ice across Lake Baikal was
laid. He was personally intrusted with
$3.50 coo to effect the expeditions termination
of this work. Prince khikoff reports that
the Siberian railroad is able to move 10000
men day to their destination, but that the
transit from western points to the far east
will require six weeks.