The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-16
VLADIvOSTOk
COMES next.
Japanese Are Maintaining a
Close Blockade of the Port.
Big Battle in Front of Mukden
Looked for Soon.
CANNONADING BEGUN.
Preparatory to General Attack
oby the Japanese.
Fifty Sunken Russian Vessels
Will Be Saved.
CANNONADING BEGUN.

New York. Feb. 16.-Reports have
been received, cables the st. Petersburg
correspondent Of the Herald that Vladi-
vostok is being closely blOckaded by
Admiral Uriu's fleet.
Preparing for General Attack.
NIukden, Feb. 16.-The japanese be-
gan a heavy cannonading Tuesday al
ternoon on the Russian right flank. and
the firing continued all through We'd
nesday. 1t is thought the japanese are
preparing for a general attack The
Russian guns are replying.
Whole Detachment Wiped Out.
St Petersburg, Feb. 16.-The depar-
ture Of Nebogatoff's division of four
battleships one cruiser and two auxil-
airy cruisers from Libau yesterday to
reinforce Vice Admiral ROjestvensky
squadron in the far east is a source OF
qualification to the admiralty in view
of the difficulties caused by the strike
The point Of rendezvous with Rojest-
vensky is not stated, but it is under
stood it is beyond the Indian ocean.
Vice Admiral Rojestvensl1y being under
instructions not to delay into the mon
soon period the resumption of his
cruise
Along the Hun river the booming Of
heavy guns is sounding the oVertures
of hostilities that are likely to be op-
ened within a short time
Associated Press dispatches indicate
that the cannonading is increasing in
Special dispatches from Nukden re-
port the wiping out Of an entire de-
tachment of japanese cavalry which
had destroyed a railway bridge between
Mukden and Harbin. Russian cavalry
overlook the raiders. who are said to
have refused quarter and fought until
the last man was killed.
VIII Save so Vessels
Victor B. c.. Feb. 16.-The steamship
fremont which arrived today from
japanese ports brought news that so
vessels will be added to Japanese naval
strength as a result OF salvage opera
tions now being conducted at Port Ar
thur. Large salvage crews are working
to recover the vessels. some Of which
Will be repaired at the Port Arthur
docks, which 1,2O0 workmen are put
ing in repair to receive the sunken ves-
sels as soon as they are raised
recent arrival in Japan from Port
Arthur states that the captured guns,
artillery, vehicles, locomotives, railroad
cars and other trophies have been mass
ed on the drill grounds ready for ship
meut. Considera bic coal is being stored
at Golden Hill.
Russians and Chinese Clash.
st. Petersburg, Feb. ia telegram
from Saehetun reports that a fatal af-
fray has occurred between Russians
and Chinese at a village 40 miles north
west of Saehetun, where a party OF
Russians went on foraging expedition
The villagers seized the Chinese inter
prefer with the Russians and a fight
ensued during which a Chinaman was
killed. The villagers killed the inter
prefer and fed.
Shell Burst in IA Hut.
Russian Headquarters, Huan Noun
tain, Manchuria, Feb. 16.-During th'
japanese bombardment of PoutilOf
hill. a projectile from a siege gun en-
tered an underground hut. burst in
side and tore off the head of a lieuten
ant and wounded a colonel and TIVE
staff captains who were playing cards
In front of houdezi on the righ
aank the Russians are trying the eff
feet of concentrated siege and mOrta
batteries with good results, firing a
many as twenty mortars simultaneous
ly. The Japanese are reported to hav
Suffred more from the cold than from
the Russians during the fighting west
ward. The hospitals at Lao Yang ar
reported to be crowded with frost bit
ten men. According to the Chimes
the Japanese reserve brigades are be
ing moved eastward, indicating the di
rection of the Japanese Offensiv
[Tben If begins. Reports from tn
same source say that General NOg
will command the extreme right
RumOrs continue that the Japanes
are quietly shifting heavy forces fror
their center to their TANKS. the con
slant artillery work in the central pc
sition seeming to cover such move
Mukden and it's neighborhood ar
full Of Chinese spies in the pay of tn
japanese
While the nights are still cold tn
davs are warmer and the time is ar
Droachfng for ideal campaigning
Spring in Manchuria is not marked b
q rainfall. The great battle which a
are expecting and which may spe
ruin to either army should occu
within a month
Whatever grounds may exist for III
charges that the Russians are viola
ing Chinese neutrality, it is certai
that bodies of Japanese troops an
Chinese bandits acting under Fiel
Marshal Oyama's orders are Operatin
in Mongolia. usually cavalry detacf
ments of several hundred men.
was one Of such bodies which recent
destroyed a railroad bridge betWee
Mukden and Harbin-
A Number of SIzirmishes.
Toxic. Feb. 16.@The following di:
patch was received today from tn
headquarters of the Japanese army j
I'm the direction of the Shakh
river our artillery February IA, bon
barded ChiensunmapaotZu and s,
fire to that village
s.The enemys artillery in the neigf
borhood Of San Cheng Tzu, mountain
@During the night of February 1
section of the enemy's infantry a
tackled Waitao mountain and at daw
February Is battalion attacks
Waito mountain but the Russian
were entirely repulsed.
ssTD the direction of ChitaitZu c
morning of February Is 500 of Il