The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-23
Sigow Pass Held With 5000
Infantry and Artillery.
MOVING UP RESERVES.
Advance VIII Be Made When
Re-enfOrcements Arrive.
Rains Again Are Interfering
With Military Operations.


Manchuria, July 23.-According to re-
ports from Chinese sources Sigow pass,
10 miles northwest of Saimatsza is
held by more than 5000 Japanese in
fantry and artillery. 1t is believed
that this column has engaged the Rus
sian force proceeding from Saimatsza
westward The Japanese are moving
up their reserves to reinforce the
Sigow pass column which is expected
to push forward upon the arrival of
reinforcements. Heavy cannonading
was heard July Is.
| Reports to the effect that 10000
Japanese have appeared at Huai Yen
hip 40 miles to the southeast are
believed to be inventions spread by
the japanese with the aid of the
Chinese.
Russia Will Stop 1t.
st. Petersburg, July 23.-1:50 p. m.
The Russian government has given
formal assurances to Germany that
Prinz Heinrich incident. Whether
this includes a definite conclusion that
the converted volunteer steamers now
in the Red sea will cease stopping
neutral vessels is not yet clear, al
though it is believed it does.
The German embassy to this hour
has received no instruction from Ger
many regarding the reported seizure
of the German steamer Scandia, in
the Red sea and in view of the assur
ances given to the German gover1-
ment can scarcely credit this report. |
1t is pointed out, however, that the
Scandia may have been captured by
the st. Petersburg before the orders
of the Russian government were re-
ceived.
Great Britain formally raised the
question of the war status of the st.
Petersburg July 20, and was formally |
assured that orders had been issued |
to prevent the Red sea cruisers from |
seizing any more British ships.
Don't Understand 1t.
Hamburg, July 23-The officials of
the Hamburg-American line declare |
that the seizure of their steamer
Scandia by the Russians is inexplicabfe |
as her Tnanifests show she did not
carry any kind of war material for |
Japan. The company has asked the
foreign office to take up the matter |
and secure an explanation.
Rainy Season Sets In.
Ia Tche Kiao, July 23-Rain has
been falling in torrents here for two
days and movements on both Russian |
and Japanese sides have been suspend
have set in. On the eastward matters
also are quiet.
Halted by Russians.
Port Said, July 23.-The Peninsular &
Oriental company's steamer Ceylon;
Penyang, has arrived here. She re-
ports that the cruiser ST. Petersburg, Of
the Russian volunteer squadron, sig
nailed her July Is when 29 hours from
Suez, asking her where she was from
and where she was bound, after which
the Ceylon was allowed to proceed. The
ST. Petersburg at that time was con-
voying a German merchant ship.
Tour of Baltic Ports.
st. Petersburg, July 29.-Admiral
BiriIeff in command of the naval forces
at Cronstadt has started on a tour of
indicating that the, first division of the
Baltic squadron is practically compile
ted.
Vladivostok Squadron Sighted.
Toxic July 23.-11 A. M.-The V1adi-
vostok squadron was seen at noon yes
province. The squadron was going
south.
More Warships for Russia.
London, July "a dispatch to
Reuters Telegram company from
St Petersburg says it is reported
there that cruisers said to have been
bought by Russia in Germany have
joined the Vladivostok squadron,
which went to sea especially to meet {
them.
Torpedo Attack at Port Arthur.
Chefoo, July 23.-Thirty Chinese
refugees who have just arrived here
from Port Arthur report that the ,
Japanese made another torpedo at
4
Thursday night. The stories of the
refugees vary in detail. Some state
that the Japanese were repulsed
with a loss of three torpedo boats,
while others declare the movement
was merely an attempt which failed
owing to the vigilance of the Russian :
and that the Japanese :
escaped unharmed. :
Five Days Fighting.
General Kuroki's Headquarters in the
T171x 9
suit of five days activity the Japanese
have secured much better strategic
lines for their advance and the Rus
slams have lost their best defensive !
position both on the Lao Yang and I
shelled one of the Japanese positions l
for an hour without result. The Jap
anese guns remained silent.
Major Hirmoku who was wounded
July 10 has died. He was attached ,
to the British army in the Boer war.
Heavy rains have recommended. !
Scandia Arrives at Suez. {
Suez July 23.-The Hamburg !
A American line steamer Scandia seized !
BY the Russians in the Red sea, has '
lust arrived here. She flies the Rus '
sian naval flag, is commanded by a
Russian naval officer and is manned I
by a naval crew. She will enter the t
canal. Her destination is not known.
Don't Know Any Such Place.
ST. Petersburg, July 23.-There is no :
official Russian confirmation of General
Kurokis report that the japanese have
captured Kiao Tung. No such place
rs this is laid down on available Rus
sian maps. the nearest approaching 10 o
t being KantZiatum which is only IL
miles from Liao Yang on the Saimatsza {
road. If the japanese column which T