Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1904-02-18
THE WAR IN THE EAST.

4 communication from Niccroy
.tleNicff 10 II. Petersburg confirms
the report OF the landing of 10000
Japanese troops ut Chemulpo. The
viceroy adds that reports have been
received of attempts To cut the tele-
g-aph wires along the Chinese East
ern railway ana also 10 destroy one
of the abutments OF the Sungari
bridges. These attempts. he adds.
were Immediately detected ana de-
cisivc measures taken 10 guard the
railway.
Japan is deeply stirred and bitterly
rcsentful over tie sinking of the mer-
chant ship Zensho Ivy four Russian
cruisers Thursday while on her way
from Hakata 10 Otaru, on the island
lezo. with companion steamer, and
is reported 10 be planning reprisals.
\ variety Of rumors stirs Toxic. One
says Matsuma. in Yezo. has been
bombarded: another that the japanese
cruisers have engaged the Russians.
The government has not confirmed
anything except the Iensho incident.
Advices via London are: 1T is
said that the Japanese squadron has
sealed Port Arthur. The population
is fleeing from Port Arthur and the
authorities are endeavorng 10 rid
themselves Of useless persons. Vice
roy AleXieff apparently foresees long
siege II Is certain that Russia is pre-
pairing 10 make q great effort here"
The correspondent Of the Daily Ex-
press, ut Pekin, in Il cablegram dated
February l.. reports that Niceroy
AlcXien is practically isolated, direct
communication between Port Arthur
ana Nladiyosto6 being suspended. He
adds that the railroad behind Port
Arthur has been blown up.
The NagasaN correspondent Of the
Daily Telegraph expresses the con-
viction that Russia is quite unable to
hold the Lia-Tung peninsula and that
Port Arthur is bound TO fall in time,
even without an assault.
Information reached Washington
that nearly 20.OG0 Japanese troops
were lanGed az Chemulpo Monday. the
first division OF large number which
will be thrown into Korea as rapidly
as possible. In the effort thoroughly
TO occupy the strategic points while
the Russian feet is bottled up in Port
Arthur.
The repeated attacks on Port Arthur
are not for the purpose of Selling that
place az present says one cOnversant
with Japanese plans, unless an UNI
expected weakness in the Notifications
there should develop. They are part
of a well defined plan for the har-
RAISING of the Russian feet until
Korea can be occupied.
The hottling up Of the feet there
enables the landing OF troops in Korea
without the convoy of large number
OF warShips.
The taking Of Port Arthur will form
the second number of the war pro-
gram. First. however ii is learned
that the Japanese propose to cut the
line OF communication we'll up the
railroad running from New Chwang
TO Port Arthur. 1t is expected large
Japanese force will land at New
ChwanG shortly for this purpose.
Dispatches from Nagasaki. Japan.
say the mobilization of the Japanese
army has been carried ont methodi-
cally. 1t is estimated that 100000
troops are now ready 10 be placed in
the field. The troops are being moved
secretly nj night toward their bases
ut Sascbo. Kure. Mill and lokusua.
All the steamers Of Japanese merchant
lines are being rapidly converted into
auxiliary cruisers. armed with quick
nring guns and fitted with torpedo
tubes.