Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-02-25
AT MERCY OF JAPS.
Surrender Of Port Arthur Only q
Matter of Time.

Ships on Sea and Soldiers on Land Have the
Russian Stronghold Completely Invest
ed-siberian Railway Crippled and
Food supply Short
Paris, Feb. 19.-An eminent mill.
tary authority connected with one OF
the embassies said yesterday that Port
Arthur was practically besieged and II
was serious question whether this
would not compel either the abandon
ment or the surrender Of the fortress
with its men and material. The
grounds for this belief were stated to
be as follows:
Admiral Togo's ships, on the watch
at the entrance Of the port, prevent in
gress or egress. thus establishing
virtual blockade and cutting of the
chances of relief from seaward. The
Japanese troops near Niuchwang and
other points on the Liao-Tung PENN.
sula are able to interrupt the railroad
forming the line Of communication
and supplies between Port Arthur and
Hardin. The result Is the gradual in
vustiture of Port Arthur within the
Japanese naval and military lines. II
will require a bold action on the part
of the Russian forces 10 prevent the
final accomplishment OF the investi-
ture and reduction Of Pot Arthur"
It is now believed both in London
and on the continent that Viceroy
Alexieff has decided to fall back upon
Hardin, practically abandoning Port
Arthur, vladivostock and the whole OF
southern Manchuria to the Japanese
and that he is perhaps hoping that the
reduction of Port Arthur and Vladi-
vostock will occupy the enemy while
he Is concentrating his forces at Har-
bin.
japanese Capture Two Russian Steamers.
st. Petersburg, Feb. ia telegram
received here from Port Arthur says
the Japanese have captured the Ok
hot sk-Kamchatka company's steamers
Kolik and Bobrik.
Many Troops at Win.
Seoul, Feb. 19.-The report that 5000
Russian troops had arrived at Chin
Tien- Cheng, opposite Win, on ire va
III river, is confirmed as is the report
that the Russians have occupied VIII
ITSELF They have 1000 troops at Win
and the first collision is expected some
where in that vicinity.
Russians Lost 438 nj Chsmulpo.
Berlin, Feb. ia dispatch from
Chelnulpo reasserts that II officers and
4S9 men of the Russian warships
variag and Korietz were either killed
or drowned when those vessels were
destroyed.
st. Petersburg Papers Complain.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 19.-No official
announcement of the disaster of Che
mulpo has yet been made, although
the papers are printing stories OF the
loss of the variag and Korietz. The
st. Petersburg Gazette says: what
are we going to do with the millions
subscribed for the navy?" and con-
tinues: I'VE cannot patch up a use
less garment. Let us start afresh. Let
the people decide how the money is to
be spent. The ministers are too busy
to give the matter due attention"
AiexI~R Killed Negligent Onicer.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 19.-After the
attack by the Japanese torpedo boats
at Port Arthur, Viceroy Alexieff sum-
moned the officers whose negligence
was the main cause for the defeat
After cross-examining them as to theiI
conduct, Admiral Alexieff became con-
WINGED of the guilt of lieutenant
among them and is declared to have
drawn a revolver and shot the young
officer dead in front Of his comrades
The lieutenant, 1t is stated, had taken
a party of officers ashore In his boat
instead of remaining on guard.
8.OOO-KIne Trip.
Moscow, Feb. 19.-Ordinarily, the
time required for troop train TO cover
the 5000 miles between Moscow and
Port Arthur is 20 days. Several trains
now blockaded to the east OF Lake
Baikal have already been en- route fol
three weeks. The stock Of provisions
in Siberia is low, and urgent tele'
grams are reaching st. Petersburg
calling for assistance.
Soldiers Perish on siberian Railway.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 19.-Both oficia
and unofficial advices from Siberia con
firm the reports Of Generalization II
the railway service on the trans-Baiha
section of the trans-Siberian railway
There is great suffering and mortality
among men and horses.