The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-31
Russians Say CclestiaIs Will Yes
Astonish the World.
Urgc Powers to Bring Pressure
to Bear on Pekin.
THEY ARE SUSPICIOUS
Think Japanese Talk Is Intend
ed to Deceive.
Expect No Cessation of Attempts
on Port Arthur.


For sinking Japaanese merchantmen in
Sungari straits at tne opening of the
war, $4,000 has been distributed in
prize money to the crews of the four
cruisers of the V1adivostok squadron
The Russ. the army organ, concluded
from General Mishtchenko's report that
the japanese are continuing their con-
centration and gradually advancing on
their way TO Wiju their advace guard
being at Kan San and their outposts
ten miles further north. The paper
declines to predict the future phases
of the japanese advances upon the
Yalu.
In connection with the activity of the
Chinese along the Shan Hal Kwan rail-
road. the Bourse Gazette warns the
powers Of the unreliability of Chinese
neutrality. and says it believes they
are making a serious mistake, declar-
ing that the Celestials are going to
estonish the world when the world
least expects it.
The Gazette further declares it to be
the duty of the powers to take col
lective action to strengthen the pres
sure at Pekin in order to compel the
nonparticipation of China in the war,
and concludes.
Russia cannot forever play the soli-
tary watchdog of civilization in the far
east
The Novoe Vremya advises the gov
ernment to protest against the viola
ton Of the Geneva convention in the
hosting of Red Cross flags to protect
the japanese troops in the fight at
ChOng Ju
The Russ thinks Marine Minister
Yamamoto's speech Tuesday last be-
fore the japanese parliament about the
difficulties encountered at Port Arthur
was designed to throw the Russians off
their guard and believes the Japanese
Will do everything in their power TO
take Port Arthur, because if they fail
the japanese VIII be reduced solely to
@ land campaign IN Korea
WATCH HAS ENDED.
New York, March 31.--The Japanese
consul general having verified the
completion of the disarmament of the
Russian gunboat Mandjur. the Japa-
nese cruiser Will, according to CORES
pondents leave Shanghai today. The
Gunboat was bottled UP In the river at
Shanghai since the war began.
:, CREDIT WHERE DUE.
Sebastopol, March 31.-Responding to
d dispatch from the commander of the
Black Sea feet congratulating him on
the repulse of the last attempt of the
japanese to block Port Arthur. Vice
Admiral Makaroff has telegraphed that
the chief credit for the achievement is
due to Lieutenant Krinieski, who COM
nanded the torpedo boat destroyer
q
ness. Through his skill in discharging
the torpedo the missile struck the
Prov of the first ship, detecting the
vessel from its course. and the other
japanese steamers followed in it's
wake"
FEAR FOR THE REINDEER
NiadivOstOll, March 31.-Concern is
felt here lest the herd OF 5000 reindeer,
the last specimens of that ANIMAL now
on AskOld island, which is within range
of the japanese guns. shall be destroy
ed The herd is valued at half mil
lion dollars. The horns of the animals
are very valuable. They are used by
the Chinese as medicine.
SENTRIES ORDERED TO SHOOT.
Port Arthur March 31.-The procla-
nation of Lieutenant General StiesseI
commanding here, declaring all the
territory lying between and including
Port Arthur and Tsichou in a state of
siege, forbids all unauthorized persons
TO approach the fortihcations and bat
teries and announces that the sentries
have been ordered to shoot any one
who fails to obey the order.
The police measures adopted at Port
Arthur are excellent and perfect order
is maintained.
KOREAN GARRISON DISPERSED.
Seoul. March 31-S a. NIT is re-
ported that the Russians. March q,
killed the prefect of Pakchon for not
following their instructions.
The Russians are also said to have
dispersed the Korean garrison of Wiju
after divesting the soldiers of their
uniforms.
JAPANESE CRUISER LEAVES
SHANGHAI
Shanghai. March 31.-The Japanese
cruiser Akitsushima left here today, the
dismantlement of the Russian gunboat
Mandjur, which was in these waters
when the war broke out, and which re-
mained here having been completed and
in accordance with the agreement ar
rived at on the subject with the local
authorities.
2s MORE BOATS READY
New York March 31.-Twenty-eig
old and useless steamers have been re-
Questioned. stripped of all machinery
but that necessary to navigation, and
are held in readiness for Vice Admiral
Toeo's orders, says a dispatch to the
World from Nagasah by way of
Shanghai. The Japanese are deter
mined, it would appear. to block Port
Arthur channel and six vessels Will be
sent at time to Join the fleet
FOOD ABUNDANT IN MANCHURIA
st. Petersburg, March 81, 5:35 D. M
The chief of the comnissariat denart-
pound Of meat or bread is being sent
to Manchuria. as the cattle and grain
available there are more than sufficient
for the demand.
FIGHT LASTED TWO HOURS
Seoul. March 31-Detailed reports
received here Of the engagement of
March % between Russians and jap
anese at Cheng Flu, Korea, say the
fighting lasted two hours, at the end
of which the japanese forced the Rus
slams to retire toward Wiju. Two Rus
sian dead were left on the field While
other bodies were carried off with the
column
A japanese lieutenant named Kano
and four priyates were killed, while
Captain Kurokawa and eleven pri-
fnC" VrO q