Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-02-19
LOSING THEIR WITS.
Russians at Port Arthur Fire Upon
Their Own Torpedo Boats.
Report from Chez Foo Says Three
ships Were Sunk by Land Batter
les, the 1I-Fated Vessels BE-
ing Mistaken for Japanese.

boats have been sunk by guns from
the forts. They were mistaken for
Japanese vessels.
The Russian Vladivostock squadron
is still in sight, cruising in the sea of
Japan. A report to the effect that
Natsuima, on the inland sea, has been
bOmbarded by the Russian squadron
is untrue.
Independent naval officers say the
Czarevitch, Retvizan, Pallada and No
Vik, damaged in the naval battle OF
Port Arthur cannot be repaired in time
to decide the command of the sea.
They also say the Russian land forces
are demoralfzed. They are trying to
watch the entire coast. The officers
Of the Russian gunboat Sivoutch. a;
Newchwang, declared they are pre-
pared to blow up their vessel in case
OF danger. They are employing q
search light all night over the sur
rounding plains.
Wrecked 20 Miles of Railroad.
St Petersburg. Feb. ia commu-
nication from Viceroy Alexieff just re-
ceived confirms the report of the land
ing of $4,000 Japanese troops at Che
mulpo. The vieeroy 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 abutments of the Sungari
bridge. These attempts, he adds, were
Immediately detected and decisive
measures taken to guard the railway.
1t is reported from Tientsin that all
foreigners and civilians have been Or
dered to leave Port Arthur. 1t is also
reported that the Siberian railroad has
been wrecked in six places, covering
a distance of 40 miles.
The correspondent of the Daily Ex-
press at Pekin in a cablegram dated
February II reports that Viceroy Alex
Jeff is practically isolated, direct COM
munication between Port Arthur and
VladivOstock being suspended. He
adds that the railroad behind Port
Arthur has been blown up and that
5000 Japanese troops have landed near
Dalney.
The Nagasaki correspondent of the
Daily Telegraph expresses the convic-
ton that Russia is quite unable to
hold the Liao-Tung peninsula and that
Port Arthur is bound to fall by the eff
fluxion of time, even without an as
sault.
Japs MobOlize 300, 900 Men.
Shanghai, Feb. 16.-Advices from Ma
gasaki state that absolute reticence is
maintained by the government An in
tense war feeling prevails among all
classes, although there is apparent alb
sence of excitement. Among the strik-
ing features of the situation are the
strict censorship which is exercised
over all cablegrams and the close con-
cealment of military and naval move
ments.
The mobilization of the japanese
army has been carried out methodi-
cally. 1t is estimated that 300, OOG
troops are now ready to be placed in
the field. without impairing the ma
tional defenses. The movements of the
troops is shrouded in secrecy. They
are being moved at night toward theiI
bases at Sasebo, Kure Moji and Yo-
kusuga, and the lights of ordinary
trains are extinguished when in the
neighborhood of troop trains. Mem
bers of the reserve force Immediately
step into the places of the outgoing
regulars. Their organization is per-
feet and full equipment is ready for
each one of the reserves.
Into Port Arthur in q Week9
London, Feb. 13.-The British gov
eminent has information which leads
it to believe that Japan is likely to be
in possession of Port Arthur a week
from now. In the best informed JAP
anese circles here it is privately
thought that the war will be over by
July. Those British officials who are
cognizant of the extraordinary thor
oughness with which Japan prepared
for the war are inclined to share tbs
Japanese view regarding the duration
d the struggle.
200 of variag'S Crew kiIIeds
Toxic, Feb. 13.-About 200 of the
Variag's crew lost their lives when the
vessel was destroyed Monday by the
Japanese off Chemulpo. The crew of
the Russian cruiser numbered $40
Many lost their lives under fire. but 8
large number drowned in attempting
to escape.
Chica goans to Join Jnpan's Forces
Chicago, Feb. 16.-Sixty Chicagoans
many of them veterans of the Spanish.
American war, 1t is said, will leave
the city this week for Japan Five
former members Of the Illinois ma
uonal guard and. regular and voluB
teer armies OF the United States left
last night for the Pacific coast ports
where they will sail for the orient
Six Steamers with Coal Captured.
Nagasaki, Feb 15.-Six Norwegian
steamers chartered by Russian nava
contractor have been captured The
vessels are the Lena, Activ, Sentis
Seirstad, ArgO and Hermes. They car
ried coal cargoes- The Hermes ar
rived here yesterday under convoy OF
q cruiser.