Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-05-05
HOLDS BACK NEWS OF FIGHTING
WHEN JAPANESE CROSSED
THE RIVER.
RUSSIA HEADS Off PEACE TALK
DECLARES THAT OFFERS OF
FRIENDLY POWERS ARE NOT
WELCOME.

Niuchwang, May 1. - Persistent re-
ports are in circulation here of Sc
we're defeat by the Russians when a
section of the Japanese army crossed
the Yalu, but the censor refuses to
permit any of the details to be sent
out.
Bridging the Yaiu.
| London, May /. The Times cor
respondent at Nagasaki telegraphs:
Successful bridging operations are
now reported from the Yalu. The
passage over the Yalu by Gen. Kur-
chi's army is not to be expected until
the Japanese are prepared to strike
heavily all along the selected front"
Survivors Rescued.
Kobe, May 1.-The official report
OF the captain of the Chi Haya, which
arrived at Gensan yesterday, an
| nounces the rescue OF boat load of
survivors of the Kinshiu Maru. COM
prlsing forty-five soldiers and nine
members of the crew. but no naval
men, Lieut. Count Mizobuchi, Pay
master Sida. Capt. Yagi and others
were carried off by the Russian war
ship
Nearer the Front.
Shanghai, May l. 1t is reported
here that the bulk of the supplies of
the Russian army at Liaoyang is now
being conveyed to Fenghuangcheng
Admiral Alexieff Is stated to have or
dered the Port Arthur squadron not to
change its position until Admiral
Skrydloff arrives there. Meanwhile
the torpedo boat destroyers have been
specially detailed to guard the en-
trance to the harbor.
Object to Jap Miners.
st. Petersburg, May 1.-The Jap
anese are stated to be laying new
kind of automatic mine. floating just
below the surface, several miles out
from Port Arthur. They are of native
invention. Although clause in the
Hague law does not prohibit this kind
OF weapon, it is considered here that
the spirit does and that in view of the
risk to neutral ships it should be for
hidden. The Japanese object is pre-
sumably to make easy victims of any
ships of the Vladiyostok fleet or even
at later date, the Baltic squadron,
which may try to enter Port Arthur.
Jap Fleets Sighted.
Viceroy Alexieff telegraphs under
yesterdays date that Japanese ships
were sighted six miles off Port Arthur
last night, and that this morning ten
Japanese cruisers and six torpedo
boats were seen in Usuri bay, adjacent
to Vladiyostok.
There are persistent rumors of ght-
Ing on the Yalu river, but the Associ-
ated Press correspondent is informed
that no serious engagements have
taken place and that the fighting has
been limited of affairs of outposts, the
Russians contesting and harrassing
the Japanese advance.
Russia Heads OFF Peace talk.
In the most categorical terms Rus
STA has officially notified the world
that she will not accept mediation to
terminate the war with Japan. The
Official notification is contained in a
circular issued by the ministry of for
eign affairs to the Russian represents
tives with foreign powers, which was
gazetted in the Official Messenger yes
terday. rs
The circular denies the report that
formal proposals. have bee nmade to
the imperial government by any for
eign power to use its good Offices to
restore peace, denial which does not
refer to the personal intimatlon adj.
dressed directly to the emperor BY
King Edward and King Christian OF
Denmark.
Scores Of laps Lost.
Toxic, May /. Seventy-three
Japanese were killed or drowned az q
result of the sinking Of the Japanese
transport Kinshiu Maru, which was
torpedoed by the Russian armored
cruiser Rossia at midnight Monday
last.
The Kinshiu Maru parted from the
convoy OF torpedo boats IN fog on
Monday and at IA 80 met the Russian
| heet. She was ordered to stop and
the Rossia steamet alongside. sum
moned her navigating off1cers q,
board the Rossia and sent q sea
party on board the transport. This
party discovered two companies Of
Soldiers Concealed Below,
md reported the fact to the Rossia.
The latter discharged d torpedo. which
truck the transport anidships and
broke her In two.
E lille the tram port was sinking the
soldiers on board sof her rushed on
Geek ana flred volleys from their rifles
into Nv lscssia, and a the Kinshiu
Aarsa spnk several 0f the sold Tiers com
Ispitaed suicide One non-cemmissioned
t1cer ccntnitted rakiri (suicidea
& "a the ancaent custom. and