The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-02-17
SUMTER S. c. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY II. 1904.

from Chingwangtao that a fierce
battle between the Japanese and Rus
sian fleets is in progress today north
of Port Arthur and west of the penin-
sular, but no definite and fully trust
worthy information of this reported
naval engagement has yet been receiv
ed.
RUSSIAN MINISTER LEAVE
SEOUL.
London, Feb. ia dispatch from
Seoul, Korea. to a news agency here
states that Russian Minister Pavlof
has left Seoul hdrriedly and that he
gave no reason for his departure.
ENGLAND GETTING READY.
London, Feb. 13.-The British ad-
miralty officials today sent out letters
warning retired naval officers to
arrange their business affairs and hold
themselves in readiness for ordres to
report for active service.
FRANCE PREPARING FOR WAR.
London, Feb. 13.-It is reported by
English agents in France that prepara-
tions are being made with feverish
action at all naval stations to put the
French navy on war footing and it is
believed that France is in earnest in
her war preparations.
GERMANY WILL ASSIST RUSSIA.
London, Feb. 13.-It is stated that
Germany will assist Russia diplomat
ically in case of defeat and the report
is believed here by those best inform
ed.
Chefoo, Feb.-Three Russian torpedo
boats attached to the Port Arthur
squadron have been sunk with great
loss OF life by the fire of the Russian
land batteries, being mistaken for
Japanese ships. An investigation will
be made by order of Viceroy Alexief
for the purpose of fixing the RESPONSE
bility for the terrible disaster.
THREE RUSSIAN CZUISES DE
STROYED.
Toxic, Feb. 5.-It is officially re-
ported that three out Of four Russian
cruisers from Vladivostock have been
blown up by submarine mines, while
trying to enter the harbor of Hakodate.
The attempt of the Russians to bomb
ard that city, which is the most i'm
portant japanese naval station in the
Northern islands, was thus disas-
trous failure.
JAPANESE REPULSED BY RUS
SLAMS.
London, Feb. 15.-Oficial reports
received this morning from Port
Arthur say that the japanese landed
600 troops at Talienwan and that 400
OF them were cut down by Cosascks
before the landing party could be with
drawn.
A japanese landing party at Dove
bay was also repulsed with heavy loss
by the Russians.
GREAT JAPANESE VICTORY RE
PORTED.
London, Feb. 15.-A cablergam from
Tien Tsin states that it is credibly
reported that the japanese have Won
great victory at Port Arthur. They
sunk eight Russian ships and captured
ten. The japanese feet was not seri-
iously injured. ess'
JAPANESE LAND AT CHEMULPO.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 15-2.45 "a. m
"A communication from Viceroy
Alexieff, just received, confirms the
report of the landing of $4,000 Japa.
nese troops at Chemulpo. The viceroJ
adds that reports have been received
of attempts to cut the telegraph wires
along the Chinese Eastern Railway
and also to destroy one of the abut
ments of Sungari bridge These
attempts, be adds, we're Immediately
detected and decisive measures taker
to guard the railway.
THE AsKOLD GOES DOWN.
Chefoo, FEB. 14.-Passengers who
have arrived at Port Arthur say the
Russian cruiser Askold was damaged
| in Tuesdays battle in the roads out
side of Port Arthur but was kept
ahoat until Saturday when it sank il
80 fathoms.
INDIGNATION FELT.
Yokohama, Feb. 1.-THE four Rus
sian cruisers which sunk the Aroul
Maru bad first appeared in the Tsugarr
Strait on the 11th, escorting trans
port from Vladivostock. Another
steaemer, the Zenhsho Maru, also met
the Russian cruisers but escaped from
them.
All traffic between Sakata and Otarr
has been suspended. owing to Russian
raiders. Great indignation is felt here
over the sinking of a commercial
steamer, and it is believed that it is
violation of international law o.
warfare.
Nagasaki. Feb. 1.-THE vessels
that comprised the Japanese feet
which attacked and destroyed the Rus
sian cruisers Variag and Korietz at
Chemulpo, on February s, were the
cruisers Naniwa, Takachio, Akashi,
Suma aud the Asama. The Japanese
/ 1i6 not 1oSo a man