The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-29
RUSSIA 1NvApEs KOREA.
A Strong Force Has Been Thrown
Across the Yalu.

St. Petersburg, Feb 29.-The official
announcement by Major General Plug.
chief of staff to Viceroy Alexief, that
Russia cavalry had crossed the Yalu
river, is expected to be followed short
ly by news of rather heavy land fight
ing, as, according to seemingly trust
worthy reports, General Leneviteh has
sent a whole army corps of infantry TO
support the Cossacls, who have pene-
trated to a point below Anju, and who
are reported to have beaten the Japa-
nese in several skirmishes.
Nevertheless, if this movement in
force is progressing, it must not be
assumed that the Russians have taken
the offensive, but, rather, that they are
taking up a strong position in North
ern Korea, in order to check the adj
vance of the formidable army of Japa-
nese landing on both shores OF Korea
while the concentration of Russian
troops behind the Yalu is being COM
pleted. This concentration is making
better progress than is generally be-
lieved abroad.
The movement of troops eastward
over the trans Siberian railroad will be
greatly accelerated henceforth, as tele-
graphic reports say that the ice rail-
road over Lake BafkaI was completed
today. Up to this time the tracks have
been used as far as laid, the soldiers
marching from the terminus of the line
to the other shore.
Major General Plugs report that
General Mas army IS west of the Lao
river agrees with the statement of the
special correspondent Of the Russ at
T1en Tsin that the Chinese war minis
ter is hurrying large bodies of troops
to the northeastern frontier of Pc Chi
Lii This report says the troops are not
going by rail but are marching by
night
The military situation will be great
IT, Al To-
is really moving to the rear of the Rus
sian position with the intention OF
making common cause with the Japan
csc, as it will expose both Russian
/ TANKS to attack
! The blockade of Port Arthur con-
/ tinues. The Russians seem resigned
for the present not to expect to accom-
plish much by sea, realizing that the
/ Port Arthur fleet is Overmatched in
both ships and guns; but they hint that
/ things may be different in the spring
if the Baltic feet goes out and effects
tuncture with that at Port Arthur.
/ Serious consideration also is being
given to the feasibility of spending
about IS, 600 on torpedo boat destroy
ers to be sent in sections to Vladivo-
stock and Port Arthur.
Dockyard artifcers were sent to the
far East last week and experts declare
/ that the boats viii be built. sent and
fitted out there in eight months.
After ALL however. the hopes and
hearts of the Russians are centered in
their army ard. with General kuro-
patkin at its head although he has not
faced foe since the siege OF PleV na-
victory is considered assured.
] The war excitement here and
throughout Russia generally seems TO
be dying down. The patriotic demon
STATIONS which everywhere followed
the outbreak of hostilities have been
succeeded BY calmness on the part of
the people. but the crowds still ager-
~ gather about the bulletins from
Niceroy AIexieff which are posted in
various parts Of the city. and which are
issued soon after they are received.
The frankneSS with which the govern
ment publicly announced the initial re-
serves as well as the stringent meas
ures taken to prevent the dissemina-
ton of all false reports OF successes is
perhaps the best evidence of complete
confidence which the authorities have
in the LOYALTY Of the people.
An interesting incident occurred on
the day the news was received CT the
sinking of the four steamers with
which the japanese sought to block the
entrance to the harbor of Port Arthur
The original report was to the effect
that four battleships and two trans
ports had been sunk, and this caused
so much enthusiasm that q session of
the council Of the empire Immediately
order a Ie Deun- A member Of the
council just from the winter palace
burst into the session and said:
Gentlemen, cOuntermand the order
} Only four old steamers were sunk. The
emperor does not wish a thanIxsoivirs
service to be held"
In connection with this atternnt ot
| the japanese on Port Arthur. a story is
current here that the steamers sent in
were painted to represent warships. and
that on arriving close to the channe1
: they dropped contact mines This
story, however. lacks confrrnatiou from
any authoritative source.