Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-02-20

stPetersburg, Feb, 20 "A dispatch from
Port Arthur today says the first land
encounter occurred yesterday. A picket
or Cossacks attacked n small delach-
ment Of Japanese troops on Korean ter.
ritory The Cossacks captured some
japanese prisoners on whom they
found maps and papers.
The collision was presumably between
accommodating parties. A general en-
gagement Is not anticipated immedi.
ately.
a special Port Arthur dispatch says
the japanese fleet was observed Feb. IS
cruising of that port.
Reports from northern Korea say the
Koreans are showing decidedly
friendly attitude TO the Russians.
The Manchurian railroad Is conveying
troops without difficulty to the various
points of concentration.
Native reports say that the Chinese
pirates, flnce the outbreak OF hostllties.
have been displaying such activity IN
eastern Aslatc waters as TO almost
paralyse the coasting trade.
JUST BEFORE THE RUPTURE.
A Russian account OF the events I'M
mediotely preceding the rupture with
Japan IL published In the Official Mes
senger today with "the object OF rcctl-
Tying certain statements from Japan
csc sources" In this account II ia
stated that on receipt Of the late Jan.
anose proposals, Jan. 49, the govern
ment Immediately proceeded to exam
Inc the Japanese demands and on Jan,
70, NJ, kurino, the japanese minister,
was Informed In reply 10 his inquiry
that the car had entrusted the pro-
nosals to special conference, the menu
bers OF which would meet Jan. Is and
that his majesty's decision would prob
ably not be given before Feb. q on
the last named date Emperor Nicholas
ordered the preparation OF a draft OF
dehnitiye Instructions to Baron de Ro.
sen, the Russian minister to japan,
based on the deliberations OF this con.
ference. On Feb. Identical kilograms
were sent TO Niceroy Aoxieff and Ba-
ron de Rosen, containing the text OF
the draft OF the proposed Russo. jap
anese agreement, with q full statement
Of the reasons which prompted Russia
10 modify the Japanese proposals, and
general instructions 10 Baron dc Rosen
the presentation OF the reply
TO the Japanese government. Forty
alght hours before the receipt OF
The news OF the rupture Foreign Minis
Ter Lamsdorff notified NJ. Kurino of the
dispatch OF the Russian reply. on Teb,
Niceroy Alexleif notified the foreign
office or Baron dc Rosen's receipt Of the
reply. on Feb, 8, at p, IN, NJ, Kurlno
quite Unexpectedly handed TO Count
Lamsdorf two notes, notifying him OF
Inc rupture Of diplomatic relations and
ldding that he, NJ. Kurino, and his stan
would leave 81. Petersburg Feb. 20.
These notes were accompanied by "A
public letter from NJ Kurino TO Count
-ansdorif, expressing the hope that the
'upture OF relations would DC confined
o the shortest possible time. On the
inme day NicerOy Alexlefr, Baron de
fosen and all the Rpsaian representa-
ives at Pekin, Toxic and the capitals
VI the great powers were informed by
Urgent kilograms OF the rupture OF re-
ations and Of the issue OF an imperial
rider withdrawing the Russian lega-
ion from Toxic, and laying on Japan
he responsibility for all consequences
nsulng, The communication con-
dudes:
Although the breaking on OF dipIo-
matte relations by no means implied
he opening OF hostllitles the Japanese
government as early az the night OF
Feb. 5, and during Feb and Feb 10
ommltted n whole series OF revolving
ttacks on Russian warshlps and mer.
hantmen attended by violations of N.
arnational law. Tho decree Of tho ON.
error OF japan declaring war was not
fWol until Feb. IT,"