The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-02-15
Who Expended Money Have All Been Unanimously Renomna

another that the japanese cruisers have
engaged the Russians. The government
has not confirmed anything except the
Zensho incident 1t is doubted that
Matsuma has been bombarded, as it b
undefended. Ii Is regarded probable
that the Russian fleet either returned
to Vladivostok after completing a move
ment planned to divert the Japanese or
else passed through the Tsugaru strait,
moving south. The Japanese cruiser
squadron is scouting In the hope OF 10
eating the Russian fleet. If the Rus
slams should attempt TO effect a june.
ton WITH the Port Arthur fleet. the
Japanese will endeavor TO block the
way and force an engagement. The
Japanese government has decided 10
accept the parole Of France for the
Russian prisoners captured at Chemul-
po at the time Of the sinking Of the Va
riag and KOrietz provided they be sent
to Shanghai. Russia engages not te
let them come north Of Shanghai until
the end of the war An exception is
made in the case Of twenty wounded
aboard the French steamer Pascal
They will be taken 10 Chefu and placed
in a hospital.
Japan is deeply stirred and bitterly
resentful over the sinking of the mers
chant vessel Zensho by four Russian
cruisers. which attacked the ZenshO
and her companion, the Naganoura,
while they were on their way from
Hakata to Otaru, on the island of Hak-
kaido. The attack of the Russians Is
declared to be wanton crime, unjusti
fed under any circumstances, even as
suming that the Zensho disregarded
signals, which is denied.
The foreign office has issued the fol-
lowing statement regarding the sink
ing of the Zensho:
1.-TWO japanese merchant vessels, the
Zensho and the NaganOura, tonnage
10 and 700 respectively, while sailing
from Hakata for Otaru were suddenly
attacked by four Russian cruisers
from Vladivostok on Feb. II while ten
miles off Jensaangta. Fire was opened
without an order being given to sur
render.
'The Naganoura succeeded in escap'
Ing. The other vessel was surrounded
by the cruisers and sunk. All on board
were either killed or drowned"
A Port Arthur dispatch says:
"Oficial adyices state that the Japa-
nese landed 600 soldiers near Talien-
wan, With disastrous results, 40 being
sabered by CossackS. The remainder
escaped to their ships 1t is further
A.ated that the Japanese landed az
Dove bay, where thirty of them were
killed. and the remainder retreated."
The japanese also landed force at
Pigeon bay, west of Port Arthur. They
were then attacked by troops and by
tie batteries and were defeated with
heavy loss.
\ Yokohama dispatch says the four
Russian cruisers which sunk the Arour
Maru had first appeared in the Tsuga-
ru strait on the 11th escorting a trans
port from Vladivostok. Another steam
er. the Zensho Maru, also met the Rus
sian cruisers but escaped from them.
All traffic between UakOdate and 40
mort has been suspended owing TO Rus
sian raiders. Great indignation is felt
here over the sinking Of a commerciai
steamer and it is believed that it is
violation Of international law of war
fare.
The Russians have explained their
reasons for firing on the British stca;n-
er Fuping, in which three Of the Chi.
nese crew were wounded. They as.
sert that the vessel was leaving port
without clearing.
The British steamer Wenchow H. he
ing held by the Russians for refusing
TO deliver Japanese passengers.
An official dispatch from Paris says
tho French government has declared
its neutrality in connection with the
war between RUSSIA and Japan.
After the attack on Port Arthur the
Japanese fleet did not return. About
thirty shells struck in town. One on
Main street broke every window. 9th
ers struck on the hills among small
houses, and one killed a woman and
child The people are panic stricken
and are leaving town on every train.
POgRenburR Champion.
NNW VORE Eah II Ferdinand