The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-02-12
One is the Cruiser varag, the Other a Torpedo
GunbOat- -OffCerS and Crews of Both
Vessels Made Prisoners.
Both Armies Marching on Seoul. Near Which
Terrific Land Conflict is Expected
Within II Hours.

Tien Tsin, Feb. 9.--Advtces which
are regarded with considerable cred
ence have been received from Seoul,
stating that the Japanese seized the
port of Chemulpo, the outlet of Seoul
on the Yellow Sea on Sunday last.
The Russian cruiser variag and the
torpedo gunboat Korietz. which were
in the harbor were promptly ordered
to haul down their flags by the Jap
anese and as promptly surrendered.
The Japanese force landed at Chem
ulpo is reported to be from eight
thousand to ten thousand men, prac-
tically all infantry. They were
brought from Sasebo, according to re-
ports, on transports under convoy Of
several of the Japanese feet at that
place. The two Russian warships
were in no position to resist and when
the Japanese commander came along
side the Varias and ordered the lat
ter's commander to surrender the or
der was Immediately compiled with
The Russians aboard the Variag and
the Koriets were made prisoners OF
war and placed in charge of Jap
anese garrison Immediately establish
ed.
The body of the japanese force
soon afterward began moving toward
Seoul and 1t is probable that the Kor-
can capital will be occupied and used
as base by the Japanese troops.
Further reports have been received
of the landing of Japanese troops IN
other points in Korea. notably at the
ports in the south and west OF the
peninsula kingdom.
It is reported from Vladvostock
that the Ace in the narbor there has
once more frozen up, imprisoning the
Russian fleet there. So far as can be
learned, there are no battleships In
the feet at Vladvostock but there
are <at least three powerful armored
cruisers: the Cromoboi, of 1884
tons; the Rossia of 12,200 tons and
tho Rutik of 1923 tons; the protect
ed cruiser Bagatyr of $500 tons: the
auxiliary cruiser Lena of 10,250 tons
and ten torpedo boats.
MARCHING ON SEOUL.
Toxic, Feb. 9.--The Government
has received advices that large Rus
sian force Is marching southward to-
ward Seoul from the Yalu river. hav-
ing crossed the frontier some days
since.
Unofficial advices have been re-
csived In Toxic that tho Japanese
forces have occupied Chemulpo and
are proceeding toward Seoul. There
is great excitement in the city as q
great battle between the opposing
forces on land is expected now within
70 hours.
The advices regarding the Russian
advance on Seoul are somewhat vague
as to when the march was begun, but
are within at least three days march
ing distance of the Korean capital,
TO MOBILIZE FLEET.
Vienna, Feb. 9.-According to pub
lished statements In Vienna the Rus
sian embassy here has received wore
from st. Petersburg to the effect thai
all Russian war ships throughout the
world, with the exception of those al
ready in the Far East. have been or
dered to their home stations, in ordel
to be mobilized as quickly as possible
and dispatched to the waters In The
vicinity of the Yellow Sea.
1t is stated that the attack upon thu
Russian feet at Port Arthur Is re
sponsible for the Immediate issuanol
of the order of mobilization.
REPORT CONFIRMED.
! Washington, Feb. 9.--Ambassado
Mccormick cables from st. Peters
burg to the state department this al
ternoon confirming the press dispat
ches of the torpedo boat attack OF
the Russian feet at Porth Arthur. HI
says that three Russian ships wer
seriously injured but that the exten
OF damage Is not yet known
BIG WAR LOAN.
Paris, Feb. "a dispatch from s,
Petersburg this afternoon states tina
Russia has contracted war loan O
900 100000 roubles ($300, 0,OOO.0 .000)
COMMANDMENT OF PORT ARTHUl
Che Foo. Feb. 9.-The Japanes
fleet, which last night attacked tn
Russian ships outside Port Arthur
this morning, continued the lombard
ment OF Port Arthur. No mareris