The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-20
FIRST LAND FIGHT
COssacks Attack a Small Body
OF Japanese.
Encounter Took Place i'm Korean
Territory.
KOREA is DISTURBED.
Foreigners Are in Danger OF
Riotous Natives.
Russia Issues a New Story
About the Negotiations.

land encounter occurred yesterday. A
picket of cossacks attacked a small de-
tachment of japanese troops on Korean
territory. The cossacks captured some
Japanese prisoners, on whom they
found maps and papers.
The collision was presuma bly, be-
tween accommodating parties. A gen
eral enga cement is not anticipated i'm
mediately. special Port Arthur dis
patch says the Japanese fleet was OBJ
served February IS cruising off that
port
Reports from northern Korea say the
Koreans are showing a decidedly
friendly attitude to the Russians.
The Manchurian railroad is convey
ing troops without difficulty to the va
rious points of concentration. -
Native reports say that the pirates
since the outbreak of hostilities have
been displaying such activity in east
ern Asia as almost to paralyze the
coaSting trade.
With reference to the stories of dis
aster to the Russian troops at Lake
Baikal, one report saying that three
regiments were drowned while attempt
ing to cross the ice covered lake it is
explained that the trans-Baikal line was
blocked al the Baikal station during the
night of February Is by an avalanche
of snow. which fell from a neighboring
mountain. A train having troops on
board dashed into the obstruction, the
locomotive was derailed and in the sue
ceeding five care one soldier was killed,
five were severely injured and fourteen
were Slightly hurt. Traffic was expect
ed to be resumed the following day.
Further advices from Port Arthur to-
day say that all the women, children
and most of the male civilians have left
that place and that practically only the
garrison remains.
NORTH KOREA DISTURBED.
New York, Feb. 2o.-Disquieting news
I 14e{1
has been received, says Herald dis
patch from Chemulpo. dated Thursday.
United States Minister Allen is send
ing the transport Zafiro to remove the
American women and children from
the Ping Yang district to Chemulpo.
The men will remain there for the
present. There are about 40 American
residents in the district, including chill
dren.
A dispatch from Seoul says an Amer
lean mining company, which has been
operating a valuable concession go miles
from Korean frontier at Wiju and en-
ploys over 70 Americans, fears trouble
from Chinese and Korean bandits in
Testing that region, which is rough
and mountainous. The local manager
has telegraphed for protection.
Baron de Rosen, Russian minister at
Toxic, and his staff, have sailed for
Shanghai. M. Pavloff, the Russian
minister to Korea, who left Seoul a few
days ago, remains at Shanghai await
ing instructions.
RUSSIAN SQUADRON ORDERED
HOME.
Paris, Feb. 20.-The st. Petersburg
correspondent of the Figaro cables that
the Russian squadron at Jibutil, French
Somaliland, on the gulf of Alden, has
been ordered to return to Cronstadt.
JEWELS GO INTO WAR FUND.
Toxic, Feb. 20-The Bank of Japan
decided today to accept deposits of
plate and jewels in aid of the war fund
President Sonoda and the mobiles of the
bank recently offered to melt the plate
and gold gifts made by the emperor to
the fund. The emperor approved the
subject and ordered the conversion of
large quantities of old coins and other
palace treasures. His example, If gen
orally and patriotically followed, prom
ises to swell the war fund enormously.
The Bank of Japan offers to accept all
such treasures at current rates, either
buying them outright or returning
them at the expiration of a certain
| term.
SUSPECTS CAN ENLIST.
| St Petersburg, Feb. 20.-According to
| the terms of an imperial order just is
sued political suspects under police
surveillance are permitted to enter the
army in the field as privates and the
| minister of interior and the minister
of Justice can order the withdrawal OF
police supervision over such persons.
Another decree aQpO1ILS SpSCIdi
| commission under the presidency of
Hereditary Grand Duke Michael Alex
/ androvitch, brother of the czar to ar
range for the most speedy construc-
| ton of submarine boats, cruisers and
! other vessels to meet the expense or
which a public subscription has been
] started by the press.
! SPAIN PREPARES FOR TROUBLE.
| Madrid Feb. 20.-Two regiments of in
fantry at San Sebastian and two regi-
I oTa hald i
ness to start for the Balearic islands.
| War Minister Linares has also sent a
| circular to the military authorities or
dering the recall of all soldiers on fur
| lough and to retain with the colorS
men whose services terminate March 1.
| These measures caused considerable
| excitement, which was not diminished
| by the rumors which continued to cir
culate in spite of official denials that
| this military activity was due to a
warning from a European power to the
| effect that in the event of a CONT
mental war Great. Britain intended to
seize points on the Spanish coast.
| CHINESE TROOPS MOVING.
St. Petersburg. Feb 2o.-Major
Pheug. the chief of staff of Viceroy
AIexieff, telegraphed from Port Arthur
today as follows:
s'The situation at Port Arthur is un-
! "a sottinia of Cossacks marching from
Wiju captured japanese major, Tat
saru, with five soldiers and two civil
ians.
'sThe reports regarding the enemy are
generally contradictory and scarce.
TT is confirmed that troops of Yuan
Shat Kai, commander-in-chief of the
| Chinese army, are being dispatched tC
Tsin Chou and Kupantze.
"All is quiet in Manchuria."
/ MILITARY ACTIVITY IN SWEDEN
Stockholm, Sweden, Feb. 20.-Unusua
naval and military activity is displayed