The San Francisco call., 1904-02-17

Herald. Copyright, 1904 BY the New York
Herald Publishing Company.
CHEFU. Feb. 16.-The British steam
ship Wenchow, detained at Port Ar
thur since the opening of hostilities.
arrived here to-day crowded with Jap
anese refugees, and reports the Rus
sian Port Arthur feet moving in the
direction Of Korea.
A trifing engagement took place in
the Gulf of PechiH between rival tor
pedo- boats, but no damage was done.
it being merely an exchange Of shots.
It is believed that the Japanese con-
template another naval attack upon the
Port Arthur fOrtificatiOns.
Russian reinfOrcements are moving
rapidly TO the Yalu, where a great land
fight is expected to occur soon.
The Russian forces stationed near
Newchwans are buying all available
provisions for the garrison at Port Ar
thur. The Government officials at Port
Arthur are very strict against mer-
chants raising food prices. and it is
reported that they have entirely de-
molished a large bakery which was
making an attempt to corner" flour.
The Japanese are Fastening their
preparations on Elliot Island with
transports and commissary. from which
they will make a big land attack on
Port Arthur.
CHINESE BANDITS ROUTED.
In Manchuria the railway guards
have been considerably strengthened in
fear Of interruption by the Chinese.
At Harbin the flour mills are now
under Government control.
Following the reported japanese sue
cess in the first attack at Port Arthur.
$50 Chinese mounted bandits ransacked
a Russian station near NLukden on Feb
ruary u, A Chinese servant informed
his employer and the Russians fed pre-
cipitately. The bandits. flushed with
success. approached the next station.
but there they were met by eighty
Cossacks. who defeated them. and they
in turn fled. leaving ifty-eight dead.
Arriving passengers confirm the re-
port of the arrival of extensive Rus
sian reinforcements at Harbin.
GARRISONS ARE INCREASED.
PORT ARTHUR. Feb. 16-The au-
thOrities have taken every precaution
to protect the arsenal. The usual guard
2OOO.
At Kinchou, Talienwan and Bidzivo
the forts and garrisons have been re-
plenished threefold.
A circular has been issued that any
Chinese caught Iooting will be shot I'M
mediately.
At Newsky, the destroyer works at
Port Arthur, there is great activity.
as they are doing their utmost to
launch six partly finished vessels now
building. Labor Is scarce, but high
wages entice Chinese smiths to work
The naval gymnasium is preparing re-
cruits for sea duty.
The bodyguard of the Viceroy, usually
only eight COssacks. now comprises
thirty-six chosen men,
A high mass, which lasted four hours.
was said at the RussiSn church on Sun
day, at which were present the Viceroy
and all others high officially. The pre-
siding Bishop blessed the regimental
banners.
ALEXIEFF GOES TO HARDIN.
NEWCHwANG. Feb. 1S.-viceroy
Alexieff left Port Arthur to-day. pro-
ceeding to Hardin with General Plug,
the chief Of staff, and the general staff.
1t is said that the Russian army and
navy commands will be reOrganized
and that General Kerpaitsky will COM
mand the Yalu division, which is cx-
pecting to be attacked by the Japanese
forces.
Atrocities are daily perpetrated upon
foreigners and natives. both by the or
ganized police and by incoming troops.
which makes it impossible for the civil
administrators of Newchwang to con-
troll the situation. 1t is feared that a
reign of terror will be precipitated il
the neutral powers remain inactive.
A captain of police. with ten soldiers
without any provOcation. destroyed the
contents of hotel owned by a German
where three japanese had registered
under the protection Of the civil ad-
ministrator. These Japanese were
bound, gagged and robbed Of food.
money and jewelry They were rescued
Confinuod IN PaC. a Column q.