The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1904-03-03

ment in force is progressing, it must
not be assumed that the Russians have
taken the offensive, but rather that
they are taking up strong position in
northern Corea in order to check the
advance Of the formidable army of Jap
anese landing on both shores of Corea
while the concentration of Russion
troops behind the Yalu is being COM
pleted This concentration is making
better progress than is generally be-
lieyed abroad
The blockade of Port Arthur con-
tlnues The Russians. seem resigned
for the present not to expect to accom-
plish much by sea, realizing that Port
Arthur is oVermatched in both ships.
and guns, but they hint that things
may be different in the spring il the
Baltic fleet goes out and effects a june
ture with that at Port Arthur. Serious
consideration also is being given to
the feasibility Of spending about So
100000 on torpedo boat destroyers to
be sent in sections to Vladivostock and
Port Arthur.
Excitement Dying Out.
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 eagerly
gather about the bulletins from Vice.
roy Alexieff. which are posted, in va
rious 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-
verses as well as the stringent mea-
ures taken to prevent the dissemina-
tion of all false reports of successes
Is perhaps the best evidence of COM
plete. confidence which the authorities
have in the loyalty of the people.
Maintain Secrecy.
Chefoo, Feb. 29.-While the japanese
report that their fleet is still concen-
trated in the neighborhood of Port Ar
thur, yet endeavors are being made to
prevent definite information from be-
coming public. The survivors of the
sunken transports who were landed
Saturday were not allowed to see any,
body, and they will be sent home. The
Japanese fleet originally consisted of 16
warships, but two battleships and dis
patch boat are now missing from that
number, and from two sources it has
been learned that two Japanese war;
ships returned to Sasebo in disabled
condition. 1t is being circulated among
Chinese that Port Arthur has fallen.
Japanese Gunboat Destroyed.
Chefoo, Feb. 29.-Several japanese
officers and sailors who landed here
from an open boat early Saturday re-
fused to give any information as to
where they came from. At the Jap
anese consulate it was given out that
they belong to gunboat which
was damaged during the fig,6s5ff RI
| Arthur, and which sank trying to
reaehathis port. The statement that
hey were members of the crews of the
merchant steamers sunk near the en-
trance of Port Arthur for the purpose
Of blockading it and that they were
aot picked up by the torpedo boats in
company, was positively denied. They
crossed the gulf in the open boat in
which they arrived. The consul claimed
hat he had been expecting the arrival
If survivors Of the action off Port Ar
:hur.
, Orders Of Consul Suspended.
Washington, Feb. 29.-The orders of
Edwin V. Morgan. appointed and con-
irmed as American consul to Dalny,
% proceed to that post have been sus-
pended. Mr.. Morgan will not pro-
iced until he has received further or
lers from the department. There is
40 present intention Of trying to force
Mr.. Morgan upon the Russian govern
nent
The state department recognizes the
light of any government to withhold
IN exequatur by warrant of which the
consul is authorized to exercise his
functions, and If another government
Ices not feel that consulate located in
one of its ports facilitates commerce,
here is no disposition to make an
ssued on that point.
Object Of Japs.
st. Petersburg. Feb. 29.-The des-
oerate manner in which the Japanese
ire returning to the attack of Port Ar
:hur, in spite of their repeated re-
pulses, has convinced the military au-
:horities here that their main object
we for the present is hopelessly to
| cripple the Russian fleet, in order to
secure absolute freedom in the dis
smbarkation of troops For this rea-
son the Russian commander is care
fully guarding against exposing his
ships, keeping them in the harbor. I'M
| Ter the guns of the Notifications
A doubt exists as to whether the jap
anese really design to land near Port
Arthur and invest the city. The au-
thorities admit they are considerably
mystifed, but the prevailing opinion
continues to be that the japanese will
not hazard a landing at this stage of
the campaign. It is pointed out that
owing TO the conformation of the
shore the only suitable landing places
near Port Arthur are we'll within the
range Of the batteries, and that if
landing is attempted on the northern