Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-10

PaIIada was not sunk, as stated yester-
day. The ship is but slightly damaged,
and will be available within week.
London, Feb. 10.--The Central News
reports that the japanese fleet renewed
the bombardment Of Port Arthur for
half an hour yesterday afternoon, and
that the inhabitants of the city are In
state Of panic.
81. Petersburg, Feb. l0.-Czar Mic
holas of Russia this morning issued his
official declaration of war on Japan.
Chez Foo, China, Feb. l0.-The Rus
sian torpedo fotilla is reported to be at
Thornton Haven island, fifty miles to
seward of Port krthnr. The report of
battle is momentarily expected.
The Russian land forces are concen
trating On the banks of the Yalu river.
1t is predicted here that the hostile
armies will first meet at Ping Yang,
northern Korea, which was the case in
the Chino-Japanese war.
London, Feb. l0.-A dispatch from
Toxic says that three transports in the
Russian volunteer feet, conveying about
1000 troops, have been captured of
Asan, Korea, by the japanese.
London, Feb. lO.-The japanese
Embassy has received a dispatch dated
the evening of February, Sth, stating
that the japanese squadron escorting
transports to Korea was met on the way
to Cbemulpo by the Russian gunboat
Korietz as she was leaving port. The
Korietz took an offensive attitude against
the japanese transports and fired on the
japanese torpedo boats, which, in turn
replied by discharging two torpedoes at
the Korietz, which were without effect.
The Korietz then returned to her anchor
age in port. Early next morning about
s o'clock Admiral Iriu, commanding
the Japanese squadron, formally demand
ed that the Russian men-of-war leave
the port, adding that fthey didn't comply
with his demand before noon, he would
be compelled to attack them IN
the harbor. Two Russian men-Of-
war, left port about ll:SO o'clock and
then the battle ensued outside the group
of small islands. After about an hours
engagement the Russian men-of-war took
refuge among the islands and towards
evening the Russian cruiser Variag sank.
About O. clock February 8, the Korietz
was reported sank by her own crew blow
ing her up The officers and men of the
two sunken vessels took refuge on the
French cruiser Pascal. There were no
casualties on the japanese side.
London, Feb. l0.-Less than rs
hours of an actual state of war between
Russia and Japan have gone by and yet
the Mikado's forces have already demon
strated to the world that they are prem
iers in the art of fighting and astuteness
itself in the matter Of taking advantage
ofopportunities. Already Russia is in a
bad way at Port Arthur, the Gibraltar
of the far East. Two of her cruisers
captured, two battleships and another
cruiser out of commission, and other ships
reported to be in a badly damaged con-
dition, sums up the damage inflicted by
the japanese who have. so far as can be
ascertained, thus far escaped unscathed.
The damaged vessels are said to be en-
tireIy incapacitated for service and it
will De some time before anything can
be done toward their repair The aim
of the japanese gunners was excellent
and during the fight the Russian battle
ship Poltava aud the cruisers Diana,
Azkild and Novik were all damaged by
japanese shells. One report has it that
all four were efectually put out of COM
mission.
Admiral Alexieff's statement, how
ever is to the effect that the Russian
vessels were not materially damaged.
He says some of his vessels were sunk.
The bombardment of Port Arthur by
the japanese lasted about an hour, after
which their fleet withdrew to the south
ward. The Russian losses were two naval
officers and 81 men wounded, nine men
killed, and on the coast batteries one
killed and three wounded. In the course
of the battle the battleships PoltavG and
the cruisers Diana, Askild and Novik
were each damaged on the water line.
The damage to the fortress was insig-
nifcant.
Rome, Feb. 10.-The japanese minis
ter here in an interview today said that
all of the official news received points to
the conclusion that within fortnight
Japan will be complete master and have
troops pursuing the Russians through
Manchuria.
London, Feb. 10.-In the House Of
Commons today, the secretary of State
for home affairs, said a council would be
held tomorrow to approve proclama-
ton of British neutrality in the far East
ern imbroglo.
Paris, Feb. 10.-A telegram from
Toxic reports that the japanese have
landed in force at Masampho, Korea, in
the southern part of Korea, directly OPP
posite Japan. 1t is but a comparatively
short distance from Fusan, one of the
terminals of the japanese Fnsan-Seoul
Railway which leads to the Manchurian
border.
Rome, Feb. 1O.-The Chinese minister
here states that while China is pledged
to strict neutrality, if Japan has notable
victories it may be difficult to keep the
Chinese in hand. If japanese successes
continue to inhame the Chinese, it is
possible that the latter will be emboldened
to attempt an attack on the Manchurian
line.
St. Petersburg, Feb 1O--A YladiyOs-
took report has it that the Russian land
forces have defeated the ,JaDanesc trOOps