The Washington times., 1904-02-13
RUMoRS DISTURB LONDON,
BUT FACTS ARE SCARCE

LONDON, Feb. 13.-But two dispatches
known to be authentic have been re-
ceived here on the situation in the Far
East. An official dispatch from Viceroy
Alexieff gives an account OF the How
ing up of the Russian transport Yeni-
sci by accidentally striking mine in
the har5or OF Port Arthur The captain,
three officers and ninety-two men were
killed.
Another official report is that OF Ad-
miral Togo. commanding the Japanese
feet which has been maneuvering about
Port Arthur. The admiral gives in de-
tail the account of the torpedo attack
on Russian battleships Monday night
and the subsequent bombardment of the
harbor itself on the following day.
Official Reports
This report. which is dated at sea.
February 10, read as follows:
After the oomained feet left easebo
on the sth. everything went of as
planned. At midnighc on the Sth our
advance squadron attacked the eneny's
advance squadron, the latter being for
the most part outside the bay. The
POltava and Askold and two others
We're apparently struck by torpedoes.
AT noon on the Sth the feet ad-
vanced TO the offing of Port Arthur Bay.
and attacked for forty minutes. I be-
Heve doing considerable damage. / be-
lieve the enemy were greatly demonal
lied. They stopped fighting at l o'clock
and appeared to retreat toward the har-
Dor.
THE japanese feet suffered but the
slightest damage It's lighting strength
was not decreased. Our casualties were
four killed and hfty-four wounded
The imperial princes aboard suffer
ed no harm. The condGet of the officers
was cool and not unlike their conduct
at maneuvers.
I'm the morning. owing TO a heavy
south wind. no detailed reports from
the vessels could be received, so mere
ly report the above facts"
More Firing.
The fact that Admisal Togo dated his
dispatch at sea. without giving his
exact whereabouts confirms the belief
that Japan is doing her utmost 70 cover
the movements OF her fleets. and strike
at time and place least expected
A Tientsin rumor reached here this
morning that heavy firing had been
heard at Ching-wan-Tao. on the gulf
OF Pe-Chili
Another vague report, which, If true,
gives the Tientsin rumor semblance
of possibility. is that the japanese fleet
has been seen proceeding toward the
Gulf of Liao-Tung. To reach this lat
ter place the battleships would pass
through the upper part of Pe-Chili Gulf.
Battle in Korea
The impression is rapidly growing here
that the next news of big battle will
come from Korean points. Japan is
known TO have a heavy force already
in Korea An army was landed at Ma
sampho, in the south; another force
at Mokpos; still another at Chemulpo,
and dispatches during the past few
days have reported a strong force at
and about Seoul.
The object of this landing on the
peninsula is apparent. The japanese
government, knowing of Russian con-
centration on the Yalu River. is making
preparations to send Il force up through
Korea to meet these troops of the
Gar. and should victory result, pro-
ceed on across Manehuria toward Nuk-
den. and there efffectually cut off COM
Port Arthur. The first land CLASH VIII. in
all probability. come at Ping-Yang.
Natural Advantages.
The place is pre-eminently adapted for
open warfare, being in a plain surround
ed by small elevations natural amphi-
theater. Again, there could be no more
excellent point, so far as Japan is con-
cerned, for such a fight
Seoul and Chemulpo are not very far
distant, and while Ping Yang was being
utilized as the location for the advance
force, the other points mentioned would
act as ideal bases OF supplies.
One feature of the situation this
morning. which is causing considera ble
comment. is the possibility of outside
nations being drawn into the imbroglio,
Entanglements Near.
This possibility has added 10 the tense
eagerness with which all news from the
seat of war is awaited. IL is said that
should either of the comba tants gain
two or three decisive Victories the result
might compel the allies of the beaten