Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-01

st. Petersburg, Feb. 81 The car
has received the following from Vice
roy Alexieff, dated Port Arthur, Feb.
26:
Early in the morning of February rs
the Retvisian repealed several attacks
by the enemy's torpedo boats, and 1T is
believed to have sunk in the open sea
four torpedo boats in the unsupported
encounter. The Retvisian pursued the
enemy's torpedo boat fotilla. They
sighted no large war ships.
Russians Venture Out.
Later in the morning the cruisers
Bayan, Diana, Askold and Novik were
sent out to prevent the Japanese cruis-
ers from attacking our torpedo boats.
Torpedo Boat Cut Off.
One of our torpedo boats which was
cut off by four Japanese cruisers
sought shelter in Dove (Pigeon) bay,
where it was subjected to a long dis
lance fire by the enemy. 1t had no
casualties.
Battle in the Harbor.
The Japanese fleet on sighting our
cruisers came in closer to the forts and
our war ships opened fire at 1850
o'clock. Our cruisers still firing, en-
tered the harbor, which our torpedo
boats had already safely reached.
,Japanese Poor Shooters.
"The enemy's shells for the most
part fell short. One seaman was
wounded but we sustained no other
casualties.
Thinks Four Boats Were Sunk.
1.-THE Japanese fleet consisted of sew
enteen large warships and eight torpe-
do boats whereas the squadron which
ATTEMPTED to block the entrance to
Port Arthur on the previous day had
twelve torpedo boats.
corea is With Japan.
Seoul. Feb. 27. - The government
has decided to order. the Corean army
to join the Japanese forces in the
field.
The army at present consists of
about 10000 men, trained in European
manner, In 1896 the army was taken
in charge by Russian colonel, with
three noncommissioned officers, but
two years later he retired after doing
much to improve the efficiency Of the
troops.
Men Are Well Drilled.
One Of the features of the army is
the bodyguard of the emperor. 1t con-
sists of 1000 picked men, all drilled
to perfection and under perfect disci-
pline. From time to time drafts from
this bodyguard are made for the stand
ing army, thus helping greatly the
drilling of the latter.
Japanese Sailors Suspected.
Chefoo, Feb. 27.-Several Japanese
officers and sailors who landed here
from an open boat early today refused
to give any information as to where
they came from. At the Japanese con.
sulate it was given out that they be.
long to gunboat which was damaged
during the fight off Port Arthur, and
which sank trying to reach this port
The statement that they are mem,
bers of the crew of the merchant
steamers sunk near the entrance to
Port Arthur for the purpose Of block
ing it and that they were not picked
I'D by the torpedo boats in the com.
pany, is positively denied.
They say they crossed the gulf in the
open boat in which they arrived. The
consul claimed he had been expecting
the arrival of survivors of the action
off Port Arthur.
Declines Aid from Abroad.
st. Petersburg, Feb. ~. - The min
lister of finance, it is stated, has again
declined firmly the offers of severa
groups of the leading foreign banks tc
float'a Russian loan on the ground that
there is no need for adopting such 8
course.
Askold is Safe.
According to a telegram received
from the commander of the Russian
cruiser Askold, at Port Arthur all ru
mors regarding the sinking of his yes
sci are false. The commander adds
that the Askold is quite sound.
Tolstoi to Help Army.
Count Leo Tolstoi has contributed
1000 sets of his works, the profit from
the sale Of which Will be expended fol
the benefit of the troops taking par
in the campaign in the far east.
No Open Hostility.
Paris, Feb. 81. = There is no truth
in the report that the Japanese min
lister at Seoul, Corea, had requested
the Corean government to hand the
French minister his passports.
Japan Aneered by Speech.
The Hague. Feb. 81. = The Japan
csc minister here has been instructed
by his government to lodge a protes
with the president of the council O.
the permanent court of arbitration
against the language used by M. Mura
vieff, president of the arbitration trib
unal and the Russian minister of jus
tice in his speech after announcing the
tribunals decision in favor of thu
blockading powers as against Vene
zuela.
Morgan to Remain Here.
Washington, D. c. Feb. 27.-The ord
ers of Edwin V. Morgan, who has beer
appointed and confirmed as American
consul to Dalny, to proceed to tha
post have been suspended. Morgan
will not proceed until he has received