The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-04-22
WHOLE JAPANESE FLEET is RE
PORTED TO BE ESCORTlNG
TRANSPORTS.
ST. PETERSBURG VERY UNEASY
JAPS HAVE A FREE HAND NOW
THAT RUSSIAN FLEET is
CRIPPLED.

Wei Hal Wei, April 70. - Startling
events of equal Importance to those OF
last week may shortly be expected in
these waters.
Some highly interesting details of
| Admiral Togo's plans have been gath
| cred by captains of neutral ships ar
irving here. The whole Japanese fleet,
it appears, has been coaling at sea and
from ships sent from Nagasaki and
| Mojl at regular intervals. These YES
sells also bring ammunition and other
| supplies, and no attempt at conceal
ment is now made.
The Japanese, being assured of
their immunity from attack. it is prob
able that the next news will be that
the
Landing Of Troops
in great force to the north OF Port
Arthur and on the west side of the
peninsula has been made.
Scores OF transports have been seen
| passing between Japan and the Kore-
an bay during the last fe wdays. Each
transport of the fleet is accompanied
by a steame equipped with wireless
telegraphy, and consequently is able
! to keep in constant touch with Admi-
raj Togo's fleet. Nothing appears to
have been neglected by the Japanese
authorities to add to the efficiency of
the feet, and every continuance known
to modern science has been requisi.
toned.
Must Hide in the Harbor.
st. Petersburg, April 20. - Viceroy
| Alexieff has received formal orders
that the Russian feet must not leave
Port Arthur before the arrival of the
new commander. Admiral Skrydloff.
Gen. Kuropatkin's messages en-
body a studied cheerfulness of ton re-
specting the general outlook at the
seat of war. He deplores the exagger.
alton in the minds of Russian patriots
regarding the disasters at Port Ar.
thur. and declares that only the skin
of the nation, as far as its aggressive
efficiency for war is concerned, has
been pricked." The opinion is drawn
from kuropatkin's unpublished ad'
vices that the Russians will be ready
1oI q LII AAuSi
than August.
ikons for Skrydloff.
Admiral ~Skrydloff's journey to st
Petersburg resembled a triumphal pro.
cession. At every station he was re.
ceived with joyful demonstrations.
Flowers were showered upon his
railway carriage, and he was present
~ 18th ;lyorc Crou,dc IN Tho Mot
forms knelt and called to him as they
crossed themselves, Save the honor
of the Russian fleet" Skrydloff will
arrive here to-day.
important Move Expected.
st. Petersburg is flooded with ru-
mors from all directions regarding the
plans of the Japanese now that the
Russian fleet at Port Arthur is unable
longer TO menace their troop trans
ports.
Vice Admiral Togo's immense SUI
periority enables him to hold the Rus
sian squadron in Port Arthur and Jap
anese transports, therefore, can safely
pass through the straits of Pechili and
attempt to land at the head Of the
Gulf of Lao Tung, under the guns Of
the warships, as did Gen. Skaters
army at Daiquiri. Cuba. If this should
succeed the Japanese will be in an
excellent position to execute a flank
movement on Lao Yang or cut OF
Port Arthur.
Russians Fortify Pass.
st. Petersburg, April 20.-A detach-
ment OF Russian troops which left
Southern Ussuri has reached Maoer-
Shan Ton the west bank of the Yalu
river, ITS miles north Of Pingyang)
without having encountered any OF the
enemy. The detachment has occupied
a mountain pass between Manchuria
and Korea which it is fortifying with
mountain batteries.
An official telegram states that
there is no change in the situation on
the Yalu river. The Russian outpOsts
to the Japanese %outposts, which are
preparing to retire.
Maj. Gen. Plug, chief of the mill
tary staff at Port Arthur, t%elegraphs
that all statements regarding a sic -
and fall of Port Arthur are unfoundeu.
Big Russian Force Advancing.
Seoul, April 2O.-The commissioner
Of customs at Gensan reports that q
strong Russian force, the number OF
which is not known, is advancing on
the great south road, following the in
land coast of the province of South
Hamgyung. The Russians passed TO
the e a of Sungjin, which was occu-
pied by a scouting party. The main
body occupied Peuk Chyong, eighty
miles north of Gensan, on the 18th
inst. The tanks and ear were ex'
posed with the evident intention Of
drawing q Japanese attack from the
: Yalu.