The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-26

| the statement is current there that the
| Japanese torpedo boat d~eStroyers In
the attack on Port Arthur on Febru-
ary IA sunk or damaged two Russian
battleships, in addition to the torpedo
boat already reported. 1t is possible,
therefore,, tina the report of the Tefe-
graphs Nagasaki correspondent also
refers to the earlier attack.
Viceroy AleXieff's retirement to Har-
bin is now an accomplished fact, and a
correspondent of the Associated Press
| cables that Port Arthur is now strictly
a naval stronghold. and the forts are
being manned by naval gunners. Only
twenty foreigners are now at Port Ar
thur, and they are traders, disposing of
their merchandise. some of them are
under suspicion, n there is likeli-
hood of their being arrested. There are
many complaints of unwarranted ar
rests, unexplained expulsion n defa-
nation Of character by the Port Ar
thur police.
The report that large bodies of Co.'S
sacks and other troops are occupying
New Chwang and Pulu Ming Ting are
unfounded.
Movements Of Foreign %Squadrons.
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from
Hong Kong says q British squadron is
concentrating there, and that a CORE
spending French concentration OF war
ships is occurring at Saigon, Indo-
China. This is supposedly a result of
the Anglo-Fnench Understanding.
According to the Nagasaki CORE
spondent of the Daily Telegraph the
American squadron. the vessels of
which are v%ariously reported at Che
Foo n Shanghai. is going to make a
demonstration at the mouth of the Yalu
river.
Indefinite reports of the movements
of troops in the vicinity of the Yalu
i've and attempts to cut the Siberian
railroad are also published.
The Wei-Hai-Wei correspondent Of
the Times describea a visit to Che
mulpo, Korea, on February 10 and the
japanese landing operations there,
which he say demonstrated that the
Japanese military organization is SUI
perior to that of any European power.
A general Japanese advance along the
Pekin Dad to Ping Yang, Korea. the
correspondent continues, is expected
shortly. The original plan was to and
at Masampho, but the naval successes
enabled the Japanese to begin opera
lions at CherLulpo, and a further
change of base to Chinnampo Is highly
probable. AS soon as the ice breaks up
troops will be established at Ping Yang
In sufficient strength to guard against
sudden Russian descent. 1t is believed
that while the power OF Russia at
Vladivostok is intact the Japanese will
not attempt to land on the eastern
coast of Korea. AS ar evidence of ia
pans intention it is worthy of note that
her cruisers are busy patroling to-
wards the northwest Of Korea and that
she Is not landing artillery at Che
mulpo. +;
Everything suggests an immediate
dash for a strategic position in north
ern Korea, the correspondent con-
cludes, n II is possible the Russians
are considerably furtner south than is
supposed,
Toxic, Feb. 22.-Russian warships are
reported between Japan and Korea.
Transports carrying troops across are
heavily conveyed in
Japs in No Hurry.
London, FEB. 24.-The latest advices
Of japanese Minister Hawashi lead him
to believe the Japanese troops may now
wait possibly two or three months be-
fore undertaking aggressive operations
in Manchuria. Baron Hayashi does not
credit the report hat $500 Russian sol
diers have been killed in al outpost en-
gagement at the Yalu river. He says
there is no japanese force in hat vicin-
ity large enough to infict such a loss.
The only naval development Baron
Hayashi expects in the near future is
a possible attack on the Japanese fleet
Ny AAAS ~ - ARSAS
at Port Arthur. hitherto unused. On
the Japanese side, except possible ac-
tions against the Russian Vladivostok
squadron, the minister does not look
for developments at present, believing
Admiral Togo will be satisfied to keep
the disabled Russian squadron prison.
ers al Port Arthur. The minister cred
its Russia with having barely 100, OOQ
troops in Manchuria.
AwfuIly Easy.
The minister said: we have tount
thu Russia is SO Unexpectedly unpre-
pared that I should not be surpried If
the Japanese land forces c%ontented
themselves with establishing a thor
ough organization and advancing. as
the construction Of a railroad towards
the Yalu liver progresses. Russia ap-
pears to De less prepared thar was
China in 1895. I believe only three
trains a day can be run through Man
churia. Surprising these are equally
divided between troops n supplies,
as would be necessary. Russia could
not perceptibly strengthen her land
forces before April. Japan's naval coup
that I rather think our troops will take
their time. The shallow inlets are now
frozen over retardiag Decentralization
Of our forces. This is especially true
at Port Arthur, where landing Of troops
10 nearly impossible owing to the Ice"
English Ship Taken. {
London, Feb. 22.-The owners of the
British steamer Resale, which sailed
from Nagasaki January Is. have beer
notified that she has been captured by
the Rusaaans at Yladivostok.