Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-02-18
Russians Fire Upon British Steamer at Port Arthur But After
ward Apologizc-Two Hundred Russians Were Killed
In the Battle al Chemvlpo

will be over in July. Those Bsitish Of
/ hcials who are cognizant OF the eX-
'raordInary thoroughness. with which
Japan prepared for The war are in
ciined to share the Japanese view re-
garding the duration of the struggle.
+ Looks Sad for Russia.
/ dispatch from Pekin says:
Officials, military men and, diplo-
mats here are OF the opinion that
| Russia S position is almost hopeless
They say that the tides of diplomacy
and war steadily are flowing against
her. and that she may decide more
easily than any one can foresee to
seek a pacific issue out of her
| troubles. Japan appears to be mis-
tress OF Che sea in every critical quar-
| ter and she is landing troops in
/ .Gorea without let or hindrance. These
forces promptly are being followed
| by large quantities of war material,
provisions and medical stores. There
| is no doubt that the Japanese will be
able to land I force in Mauchuria the
moment they decide that strategically
it is prudent to begin land operations
against port Arthur
Japanese Vessel is Sunk.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese min
igtci; here, has received a dispatch
from Toxic announcing that on Feb.
IL two Japanese merchant steamers,
the Nakanoura Maru and. Zensho
Marn. while on their way from SAX
alta to Ctaru ION the Island of Hok-
kaido) were surrounded and shelled
by four Russian warships, presumably
the Vladivostok squadron, off the
coast of Herunshi (Okushiri9. The
Nakanoura Maru was sunk, but the
Zensho Marn escaped and arrived
safely at F'ukuyama.
Russians Try to Enthuse.
Harhin. Manchuria, Feb. Ia - The
announcement of the mobilization of
Russian troops has been received by
the population Of this town with en-.
thnsiasm and there is tranquility and
confidence in the power of Russia.
The Japanese have left the town.
Heavy Firing Heard at Sea.
Tientsin, Feb. a. 1t is reported
from Chin-Wang-Tao (about $50 mites
northeast of here) that heavy firing
has been heard at sea and it is in
ferred that another engagement has
taken place.
Carry No contraband of War.
Vancouver, B. c., Feb. ID. The
British war office yesterday notified
the Canadian Pacific that no contra
band Of war must be carried by the
naval reserve steamers to Japan. Sew
eral hundred tons of barley for Japan
which had already been placed aboard
the. steamer Empress of China, was
taken off Immediately and the vessel
will sail with a very light. cargo.
Russian Students Called Home.
Berlin, Feb. 14-The Russian stu
dents attending the technical institute
at Carlsruhe who are subject to mill
tary duty have received order to re-
turn home and join the colors.
Fermany Might Butt In.s
London, Feb. ID. THE st. Peters
burg correspondent of the Daily ele-
graph claims unimp aachable autheri-
ty to declare. that in the ayentsof
Russia being defeated in the Far East,
Germany will make a diversion in her
favor likely to have far-reaching.. re-
suits,
England Warns Retired officers.
London. Feb 1.-THE Daily Tele-
graph: Ibis morning saws the Ksstisb
! admiralty has sent letters of wa,rn;n J
to all retired: naval, officers who. are
eligihle Far service, z = = !.
| Keep China out Of Trouble.
washington. Feb "a -..,r, p,,es, ;.
and Japan. THE washington poyern.
/ ment suggests the propriety Of Of I'm.
ting hostilities within as small an