The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1904-03-16
THE. EASTERN WAR.
MANY HOUSES WRECKED AT
PORT ARTHUR IN FOURTH
BOMBARDMENT.

Chinese Colony Destroyed-suffer-
ing in Towns Along TRANSIT.
berian Railway for Want
of Food-Other News.
st. Petersburg, March 12.-De-
spite discouraeing reports covering
the trans Siberian railway condi-
tions, and repeated reports of dam.
age and loss of life at Port Arthur,
the feelitg 6 teday in general official
circles is anything but Respondent.
The greatest attention today iscen-
tered on detailed advices from Port
Arthur covering Thursdays lombard
ment. ~
Dispatches this afternoon state the
new portion of the Port suffered
the greatest damage, many houses
being wrecked under the steady
shower of shells and notinconsid-
erable casualty list resulting. One
huge projectile bursting but eight
yards from the residence of Col.
Baron Frank, demolished the house,
fatally injuring Mrs. Frank aud
completely decapitating her daugh-
ter. Mrs. Frank and the body of
Miss Frank we're with difficulty re-
scued from the flames which fol-.
lowed the explosion.
Constantine Zedorski, an attor-
ney, an unknown woman and two
Chinese coolies were killed by a
shell which exploded but few min
| utes after the bombardment began.
General Stoessel and staff, hurrying
toward the water front came within
the danger zone and were literally
sprinkled with fragments and splin-
tiers from exploding SHELLS, but be-
yond a few minor wounds were un-
| injured. 1 s.s7i
In the Chinese q uarser the shells
tore great holes in the. earth and
wrecked a row of houses. The in-
ha bitants fled for shelter, but not
before seven Chinese, including one
/ woman, were wounded. The report
/ says the firing from the land bat
Eteries was spirited and apparently
reasonably effective. One Japanese
|ironclai was struck by a Russian
shell and slowly Withdrew from
range in5a a supposedly crippled con-
ditiop. Another vessel is believed
to have sustained damage. a353i
| After the bonn bardment and tor
pedo fight the japanese feet with.
drew in a leisurely manner and up
to yesterday morning had not re-
turned to renew the attack. The
Russian squadron proceeded to sea
In the afternoon but returned with
out having sighted the enemy. The
latest reports are agreed on the fact
that the Japanese have apparently
withdrawn 10 considerable dis
tsnce, aud speculation is rife as to
the next move.
Perhaps the most diequieting fea-
ture in official circles is the con-
stantly, recurring reports relative
to the railway line. The chief in-
spector of the railway admits the
line to be ,in- an exceedingly poor
condition. Trackman are IT gular-
ly neglecting their duties. Derail.
meDt of trains has in many instau-
ces been narrowly averted.
The dangers to the track are not
confined to the extreme heavy drift
ing of snow, but to threateni1 g
Hand slides as we'll. The unusuai
severity of the winter promises to
be followed by foods in many dis
tricts which, it is predicted, will Sc
riously cripple the road tor pro.
tracted period. 1t is almo.t certain
that famine will spread over vast
stretches of territory newly settled
and dependent for food almost ell
tire1y upon the railway resources.
A cry for help has come from
1Tomskckita. Verch olioski and sew
eral intermediate villages. In these
places food has already reached
prohibitive prices and the peoe are
on the verge of starvation, while
none can give assistance. The stop
page of all ordinary traffic to allow
transportation of troops to the lar
frontier, has resulted in total dis.
continuance of supply for residents
along the line. With the ever in-
creasing demand for food for the
troops the chances of providing tor
villages in the famine district is
Edaily lessened and there is
q strong probability that trains re.
turning from the seat of war will
Isoon be burdened with homeless
refugees.
That the government stands in
wholesome fear of railway inter
=.