The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-10
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battleships and one cruiser were damaged
and also showing that -FOUR torpedo boats
made the attack
An official of the foreign Office said:
1T is profoundly to be regretted that
such a decisive step has been taken as
It terminates the efforts the powers might
have made to avert actual warfare
Information has been received here
showing that the British government will
issue a declaration of neutrality within
few days, perhaps Immediately and
that France will take the same course
within a day or two
At a conference of ministers held at
Elysee palace today under the presidency
of NJ. LoYbet, foreign Minister NJ. Del
casse communicated the news of the
first Japanese attack with torpedo boats
on the Russian fleet off Port Arthur, and
announced that the French minister at
Toxic had been instructed to assure the
protection of Russian subjects and their
interests i'm Japan. The attitude of the
French government in view of the war
is now definitely determined upon. France
will maintain neutrality under any and
all circumstances. the Franco-Russian
alliance being construed as not requiring
France to intervene in behalf of Russia
even should Great Britain or any third
power intervene in behalf of Japan
CAUGHT MAPPING.
Paris, Feb 9.-The naval engagement
off Port Arthur isu Understood to have
mainly occupied the attention of the coun-
Gil of ministers. The impression prevailed
that the three Russian ships torpedoed
are so disabled as to be unserviceable
for the remainder of the war; thus plac-
ing the Russian fleet in a state of mani
fest inferiority. 1t is said that members
of the council of ministers expressed as
constituent at the alleged negligence OF
the commanders of the Russian ships in
permitting the Japanese to surprise them.
The japanese legation announces that
Japan has requested China TO declare
coal contraband of war. The effect of this
would be to cut off the main coal supply
of the Russian fleet at Port Arthur. The
legation officials add that China's con-
tinuance of supplying the Russians with
coal would be a breach Of neutrality.
WAR BULLETINS.
Che Foo. Feb 9.-The Japanese fleet
attacked Port Arutur at midnight on
Monday. The four Russian battleships
and one Russian cruiser were disabled by
torpedoes.
The battle is being continued this
morning at range OF three miles But
there has been no further damage.
st. Petersburg. Feb. 9.-An official dis
patch received here says that Japanese
torpedo boats havea tackled the Russian
squadron in the outer roads at Port Ar
thur and that three Russian ships were
damaged
Berlin. Feb 9.-Japan's initial success,
the attack by torpedo bots on the Rus
sian fleet off Port Arthur produced a
deep impression both on the people and
military and naval critics here.
Che Foo, Feb. 9.-The japanese consul
formerly stationed at Dalny, who has
just returned here. says that he passed
Japanese fleet today going in the direc-
ton of Port Arthur
Pekin. Feb. SIS p. NIT was an
nounced at the Russian foreign Office THIS
afternoon that the Russian cruiser Pal
lad wass unk in the torpedo boat attack
by the Japanese on the Russian fleet at
Port Arthur. The injuries sustained by
the Retvizan and Cesarvitch are not
known. 1t was reported on the same au-
thority that the cable from Naldivosstock
had been cut
Paris. Feb. 9.-China. it is understood.
has given official assurance that she will
Immediately issue a declaration Of neu-
trality. This is considered highly i'm
portant inview of the possibility OF the
Chinese impressed by the japanese sue
cess at Port Arthur Joining the japanese
St Petersburg. Feb. 9.-The announce
ment of the sinking Of Japans ships and
the fact that Port Arthur was in flames
was given out in St Petersburg at. 20
this afternoon. as official but on investi-
CATION shows the report TO be untrue. The
only CONFIRMED ofiic al communication is
that from Admiral Alexief issued earlier
announcing that Japanese boats had made
sudden attack on the Russian squad
ron in the outer roads of the Fortress