Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-15
STORY OF ITS FALL OFFICIALLY
DENIED AT ST. PETERSBURG
TODAY.
BOMBARDMENT WAS
VERY DISASTROUS

BOMBARDMENT WAS
VERY DISASTROUS
Japanese Shells Played Havoc With
the Cars Stronghold = Reports
Say the New Town Was Set on Fire
Russian Press Praises Roosevelt.
Wei-Hai-Wei, March 14.-The Japan
ese here report that Port Arthur has
Seen captured.
st. Petersburg, March 14.-(12 noon)
There is no truth in the rumors that
The Russians have abandoned Port
Arthur. Admiral Abaza, secretary of
the commission on far eastern affairs,
authorizes the Associated Press to
deny the story. He says the situation
1t Port Arthur is unchanged and that
nothing important has occurred there
in the past twenty-four hours.
ST. Petersburg, March 14.-Presi-
dent RooseveIt's recent proclamation
regarding the observation of neutrality
by all officials and abstention from
either action or speech which might
cause irritation to either Japan or
Russia has produced great impres.
sion here. The newspapers this morn.
ing print prominently articles com.
mending the substance and spirit OF
the proclamation in the highest terms
Tien Tsin, March 14.-The reported
occupation of Port Arthur by the Jap.
anese is untrue according to telegram
received here at II o'clock today
which left Port Arthur at o'clock Sun,
day evening.
The riot at shansi turns out to have
been unirnportant.
Paris, March IA. - The Temps cor
respondent at New Chwang teIe
graphs: 4.
~ have Just returned here from :
tour along the Manchurian frontier
The trains were crowded with Chinese
soldiers, numbering upwards of 21,O0e
on their way to garrison the border
A Japanese attack is expected here
as soon as the thaw occurs, which will
be in about ten days."
-
Toxic, March IA supplementary
report from Vice Admiral Togo, con
cerning the effort made by the crews
of the Japanese torpedo boat destroy
ers in the action off Port Arthur on
March 10, to rescue the crews of the
disabled Russian torpedo boat destroy.
ers, reached here today.
Captain Shojiro Asai, commanding
the fotilla of torpedo boat destroyers,
states that the Japanese would have
been able to rescue many more of the
enemy but for the deadly fire from the
shore batteries and the close approach
of the Russian cruiser Noyik.
Leaped to Death.
The report explains that the -four
men rescued were not part of the
crew of the Stereguschtchi as origin
all reported. When the Japanese res
cuers reached the Stereguschtchi only
the dead remained on board and it is
believed the living members of the
crew jumped overheard and perished
The rescued Russians were placed on
board the Japanese battleship and Civ
en- food and medicine
Evacuation is Reported.
Toxic, March 14.-It is persistently
rumored that the Russians have virtlt
ally evacuated Port Arthur and that
no1pov hoe haop 6octrouod
Private kilograms received here
show that during the latest attack on
Port Arthur two Russian torpedo boat
destroyers were sunk, and great dam
age was done to the docks, f,-ts, and
arsenals, including the explosion of the
powder magazine.
japanese Bombardment Effective.
Another private report states that
the Japanese bombardment was SO fur
ious and so effective on the forenoon
of March 10 that number of guns
were dismounted and the garrison
driven. out of the works, while the Eu
ropean quarter of the town was ir
flames.
Four Russian torpedo boat destroy
ers inside the harbor were said to be
out of action, having been deserted by
their crews.
Like a City of Death.
London, March 14.-In dispatch
from Chefoo. dated March IL, cores
pondent of the Daily Mail describes ar
inspection of Port Arthur made on the
l1th inst. from boat.
Nau, Civ IN Fire
The new city seemed to be on fire;
three columns of smoke were ascend
ing from it.
The Bread Hill fort appeared to have
suffered terribly: the defenses were
shattered and the .earthworks torn up.
Guns Not Visible.
No guns were visible. The line o.
forts on the Tigers Tail also appeared
to have suffered damage.
At sunrise no sign of life could bt
seen anywhere, and Port Arthur look
ed like city of death.
Port Arthur's Loss.
Toxic, March Ia. Admiral Togo's
fourth assault on Port Arthur OF