The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-16
ANOTHER. COSTLY BLUNDER
CHARGED TO CARS NAVY
RumorS of Battles in Interior Continue, and
an Attack on Russian Stronghold
Is Expected.

LONDON. Feb. IA dispatch from
st. Petersburg. which reached here by
way of New York, states that announce
ment has been made in the Russian
capital that the Russian second class
cruiser Boyarin has been blown up and
completely destroyed by Russian mine
in the harbor Of Port Arthur.
The dispatch. in giving alleged details.
says the cruiser was reduced to twisted
scrap iron and 1s7 officers and men were
blown to atoms. No confirmation has
reached here as yet.
Reports of Land Battles.
The chief interest today continues to
center in the probable movements of
the land forces. for. inasmuch as Japan
has shown so completely her superiority
at sea warfare, it is on the land that
the supreme test is expected to come.
There are many reports current of
clashes here and there, but nothing in
the least official or definite is obtain
able.
A dispatch from Cheefoo says it is
reported there that clash has oc-
CURED on the banks of the Yalu River
which forms. for some distance. the
boundary line between Manchuria and
Korea.
The report is not credited. for while
the Russian forces are concentrated in
large numbers at that point, il is hardly
possible that japanese troops, in sufh-
cient number to engage the Russians,
have reached that far north IN Korea
IL is thought that the japanese forces
in Korea will spend the coming days
in preparation for a supreme test. while
the majority Of the Japanese forces Will
be hurried TO Manchuria TO aid in the
investment of Port Arthur.
Early Attack Expected.
1t is Of primary Importance that this
attack on Port Arthur by land. as well
as by sea. be made in the near future,
as any time allowed to elapse viii mean
that Russia Wa be just that much more
thoroughly prepared for the encounter
The railroad across Lake Baikal is
rapidly nearing completion. and when
this is complete a constant stream OF
troops can be kept pouring into Man
ehuria and the vicinity OF the proposed
point Of attack from home garrisons.
The Russians, too. are known to be
advancing the fortificatlons along the
Gulf OF Liao-Tung. in the vict&ty Of
Port Arthur, and forces Of tr5@ps are
being spread along the peninsula toward
DaIny and even farther north TO meet
and repel If possible any landing force
of japanese.
China the Prize?
Another report. most significant in it's
possibilities. comes from Pelkin- Ac-
cording to this dispatch the Empress
Dowager Of the FIowery Kingdom has
dismissed Prince Su. the chief Chinese
advocate OF neutrality. and is rapidly
becoming convinced that China is the
prize for which the two belligerents are
in reality lighting
Such being the case. her majesty sees
nothing but the necessity for prepara-
tion for the repulse Of one or the other
OF the two nations. inasmuch as the vic
tor. she feels. will Immediately become
the aggressive enemy Of China
Three -Cornered Fight.
This puts an entirely new aspect on
the situation Should China once be-
come thoroughly convinced that an at
tempt would be made at the end OF the
present conflict. TO absorb her, there is
little likelihood that she would side
with either nation. or even wait until
the fight was over The only alterna-
tive. il appears. would be for her 70
take up arms against the double enemy
ard thus make the war three-cornered
affair
The Reuter- Telegram Company re-
ports that the assaults and robberies by
Russian soldiers at Niuchwang con-
tinue The telegram adds that Com
manders Barton and Sawyer, OF the II.
NJ. S. Espiegle. and the United States
Runboat Helena, respectively, who were
threatened by the Russian rowdies. have