The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-29
Activity of V|adiVOstOck Fleet Has Revived Spirits of People
 at St Petersburg
TORPEDO BOATS FIRE SOME
 SHOTS INTO PORT ARTHUR
Russian Cruiser Which Recently Ap- peared Off Gensan Slipped Past the Japanese Squadron
 During Fog.

Shanghai April 29.-(2 p. m.)--It is re- ported that the Russians have met with a disastrous repulse after two days fight ing on the Yalu river. The Japanese forces crossed the river and the Rus sians retreated.
 Port Arthur, April 2S.-Japanese tropedo
 Port Arthur. April 2S.-Japanese torpedo covered by a Japanese squadron. A few shots were fired without damage, after which the Japanese ships disappeared southward.
 St. Petersburg, April 29.-(2;05 a. m.)- The operations of the Vladivostoelk squadron have revived the spirits of the people of St. Petersburg who have been down cast since the destruction of the Petropavlovsk and the consequent con- finement of the remnant of the Port Ar thur fleet to the harbor. The fact that the navy is doing something of an ag gressive character appeals to the popu lar mind, which has been unable to ap- preciate the reason for the inactivity of the fine ships of the Vladivostock squad ron.
 It is generally recognized that Rear Ad miral Yeszen cannot do more than fright en the Japanese and compel them to ex- ercise greater care in their military move ments as the sinking of a few transports, or even cruisers, can have no permanent effect on the result of the war. Moreover he is bound by his instructions not to risk his ships unduly, the intention being to keep them safe for an attack with the Baltic fleet when 1t arrives.
 The possibility of Japanese attempt to mine the entrance to Vladivostock, as was done at Port Arthur, Is considered, but the conditions are different, and be- sides Rear Admiral Yeszen, with the les son of the Petropavlovsk disaster fresh in the his mind, will observe the utmost caution.
 City Loaded With Rumors.
 St. Petersburg is loaded with rumors regarding the sinking of the Japanese military transport, the Kinshiu Maru. One report has it that 360O men were aboard the transport when she went down, but the admiralty insists that there were only 200.
 It is said that the emperor is highly ln- dignant over the affair and that he will relieve Yeszen and order him to be court martialed. This report lacks confirma- ton in responsible naval circles. where it Is reiterated that no other course could be pursued, and that the admiral only fired when the Japanese categorically re- fused to surrender, and adopted hostile attitude.
 The officials say that there is no sim- larity between the sinking of the Kin shiu Maru and the destruction of the Kowshing, which was sunk by the Japa- nese before the declaration of war with China, whereas Russia is at war with Japan That Admiral Yeszen gave the men every opportunity to leave the ship, is proved by the fact that all the officers, some of the soldiers, the crew and the coolies were transferred on board a Rus sian cruiser.
 On the day that hostilities began be- tween China and Japan, July 20, 1894, the Kowshing. a British dispatch boat, which was conveying Chinese troops was att tackled by Japanese warships and sunk off Asan. Many of the troops were killed.
 Slipped Past During Fog.
 London, April 29.-The Telegraph's Toklo correspondent asserts that the Russian cruisers which recently appear ed off Gensan slipped past the Japanese squadron during a fog and regained the harbor of Vladivostock This is the only additional news that has reached London concerning the Vladivostock squadron. No further details have been received re- garding the sinking of the Japanese trans port Kinshiu Maru, which incident is much commented on here as proving that the Japanese placed too great conh- dence in their command of the sea, and there is no doubt that it will induce greater vigilance on their part There is some inclination to criticise harshy the action of Rear Admiral Yeszen, but most of this mornings papers prefer to await particulars of the affair before passing judgment upon It.
 correspondent. the whole country outside the great wall is abnormally flooded, and any movement of the land forces is im- practicable for the present. A special dispatch from Port Arthur says that the boats covered by Japanese squadron for the purpose of creating a scare and intuition, but the Russians refrained from answering the Japanese fire.
 The Copenhagen correspondent of the Morning Post says there are rumors that Russia is negotiating for the purchase of the Danish liners Hekla, Norge and Island.
 Weather Is Severe.
 Liao Yang, April 28.--The delay of the forward movement of the Japanese into