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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance, 1904-03-24, Page 7IZ PORT ARTHUR BOMBARDMENT WAS MOST DISASTROUS. Togo Tells the Story of the Big Fight Last Week. Eye -Witnesses Testify to the Loss of Life and Damage. Report That Port Arthur Has Been Abandoned. London, igaroh 14. -The Yin-Koty correspondent of the Daily Mall says 'Etat the wives of B,ussian officers' who have arrived at New-Chwang from Port Arthur declare that much damage was done , by Thursday's 'bonibardmen!t. They declare that 88 persons were killed and over one hundred wounded. A 12 -inch ellell, whi(eh exploded in the lower land fort, killed or wounded an officer and 42 men. ,The Russian fleet did (tot participate in the fighting. The lbattleehlp Retvizan was hit by three shells. After the action Capt. Prince Lie - von took the torpedo boat squad? ron outside the jrarbor on a scout- ing expedition, and returned at midnight. When the ladies left Port Arthur on Thursday night the Rurr- elan fleet had been ordered to put to sea on Friday. The Retvizan, whist wars sunk in the first bomibardment, was raised by means of sinking two of the Chinese Railway Company's steam„ ars on either side of her. The steam- ers were then pumped out, and as they roee tli,ey brought the battle- tleship with them. She was' then le taken to the naval basin, the dock beans unable to hold her. It will be impossible to repair her. at Port Arthur. Gen. Stoessel has been ordered to the Yalu River. Gen. 'Smirnoff will replace him in command of the gar- rison, w:hielr bonsists of 20,000 men. Since the first. naval fight a naval officer has been posted at each land fort .to direct the firing, as the artillerymen have been unable sometimes to distinguish their own ships from the Jape:nese. It is o1- fietally admitted that lighting le still going on round Port Arthur and Taiienwun, and also that the new town of Port Arthur has been de- stroyed, it being impossible to live there. Food and coal aro plentiful, the supplies being sufficient for six months. The scarcity of big gun am- munition Is beginning to be felt. Forts Dismantled. A Chetoo correspondent describes a journey made in a despatch boat Trid•ai night. He says the boat! reach- ed within ten miles of Port Arthur by Sunrise, when he could locate three distinct pillars of smoke ascending in and near the new town. The boat then proceeded to within two miles Of the nearest fort and .Stopped. No notion was taken of her approach. She then proceeded until she was be- tween the first two forts, and in a line with a sunken Japanese trans- port. Here objects could be seen with vivid distinctness. The first fort ap- peared to be undamaged, but the sec- ond, the Manseyang or Bread Hill fort, on the summit of a mountain , ata the western side of the harbor, about three quarters of a, mile 'from the entrance, appeared to have suf- fered fire of the from the to Japanese. The defences in parts seem - ted shattered and the earthworks torn up. No gums were visible. Many shells bad evidently fallen along the flus of forts on the promontory known as the Tiger's Tall. At the seat of the entrance the masts of another sunken slop were visible behind the Retvi- zan. A number of torpedo boat de- stroyers lay a few yards inside, but they did not appear to have eteam up. The houses in old Port Arthur appeared to be uninjured, but no- where was there a sign of 111e, not oven the flutter of a Slag.. It might have been a city of death. As the despatch boat was returning to yea ,she was followed by the Brit- ish steamer Maxton ILall, which was being taken to Chetoo by Capt. Ron - berg, a. Dane, who is a licensed pilot in Russian employ. She had two Norwegian officers and a Chi- nese crew'. The former were sworn to secrecy. Miembers of the crew, however, agree in stating tlio,t Our-, ing the bombardment on Thursday the forte were silenced. The inhabi- tants, with the exception of the troops, all fled. A torpedo attack le also believed to have been' deliver- ed, as three Rusetan ?vessels are re- ported to have been. sank in the harbor. The Chinese assert that only so -ion Russian vessels eemaln ef- X,eletivre. Port Arthur Evacuated ? A Shanghai despatch to the Daily !Telegraph says that a telegram re- ceived from Tokio on Sunday night stated that the Russians have vir- tually evacuated Port Arthur, prob- n,bly faring that they would be cut n destroying the aft bythe J ose Y K a'pa raitwfa,y. The oorreepondent of the Chronicle at Ne reChwang states that Amer- ican refugees from Port Arthur say that Thursday's bombardment led to the deeertton of the town, which is impossible as a place 0f residence. The torts aro unable to return the Pt°pantee tire. A desapntoh to. the Express from Chefo'o snore that news from Chinese sources is to the effect that the Russians lutea withdrawn from. Port Arthur, the evacuation occurring last Friday. A similar roe:bet comes from To - kiss, but it lute tiot yet been UM - firmed. tiro Destroyers Sunil. A donpatoh to the Daily Telegraph front Teich) says that private tele - Mame state that tw» Russian tor- pedot-boat doetroyers were sunk in TTlturaday's engagement at Port Artliur, and that groat damage was dorm'' to the docks, 'ferry and arsott- ate, Including the explosion Of a Wender magazine. It is reported that Do.1ne Wee almost deetro3'ed. Mho despatch ttdde that at a late go'tlmeil . lit lnlllta,ry hbadfjllartore Sutnday afte;rnaon a report way rooeived that a num'ber of guns were observed to bo dismounted during jibe attack on Port Arthur. This •garrison seas driven ouit of the wprks. The European quarter was set pn fire, Four Russian destroy - ems .were putt out of action inside the harbor, and ;Wviere deserted by their crews, The St.` Petersburg correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says there are rumor's that telegrams have beed receiived later than those pub - liaised, ;-which. describe Thursday's engagement as '(being more serioue and the Russian fosses greater than were at fleet believed. A despa'toh to the Standard from Chafao gays that a late post had brought accounts of the fearful panic at Port Arthur during the bombardment Thursday, which was of the fiercest kind.( Shells strucks an incoming train, completely de- stroying the engine, killing the driver, Replying to reports that Port Arthur .would be evacuated, Russian officials at Otefoo say they received advices Sunday that alt wail well there, and that Russia would ;never evacuate or surrender the mace. A iclespatch td the Standard from' Tien-Tein ;states that the Russians admit' that the lent Japanese bom- bardmtentt did extensive damage to true forts and the new; town, in- cluding the destruction of the new; bank building and the 'military head- quartens, It its the opinion of ex- perts ltluat it ;Monad have been lm- possilble for the Japanese ships to shell the new; town from outside the harbor, and consequently they must have made their way inside, It Is evident from the despatches from every tource 'that the bom- bardment of Port Arthur 'Thursday was much more bffecttve than 'the official (accounts state, but the re- ports of the evacuation of the plane are not credited.' They are prob- ably Wee to the fact that tate new; town has boon rendered iimpossibie tot line in, and has been abandoned) 'WAS DIOST EFFECTIVE. many Russian Vessels Put Out or Commission. • • Tokio, March 13. -Official and pri- vate reports indicate that Vice -Ad- miral Togo's fourth attack on Port Arthur on the 10.th was tate most ef- fective since the first assault of a month ago. One Russian torpedo boat destroyer was sunk and several Rus- sian torpedo boat destroyers ser- iously damaged. The fortifications and city were subjected to a heavy bombardment, .lasting nearly four hours. The peculiar topographioal conditions of fort Arthur mako im- munity from serious loss from bom- bardment almost impossible. Vice -Ad- miral Togo's torpedo flotilla opened the action by boldly steaming in un- der the batteries and successfully placing a number' of mechanical mines at the mouth of the harbor. (Following there was a desperate bow -to -bow encounter between the torpedo boat destroyers, in which the Japanese appear to have scored a clear victory. Then came a long-range duel be- tween the cruisers, ending in the re- tirement of the Novik and Bayan, the only Russian• cruisers engaged. The closing action was the bom.- bardmont of the inner harbor by the Japanese battleships. The lat- ter took a position southwest of Port Arthur, and used only the 12 - inch guns. There were 2a 12 -inch guns in the squadron of six battle- ships, and emelt gen was fired five rounds, making a total of 120 huge projectiles that were fired at the city. The bombardment was delib- erate and carefully planned. In or- der to aid In perfecting the firing Woe -Admiral Togo stationed the cruisers in a position due east of the entrance to the harbor and at right angles to the battleships. The, cruisers observed the range and effect of the firing, and signaled the results and suggestions by wire- less telegraphy. These observa- tions and reports greatly added the gunners in their elfores to make every shot count. Vice -Admiral Togo was unable to definitely learn the results of the bombardment, but later private re- ports indicate that much destruc- tion was caused in the city, where a series of fires broke out. There also was damage to the batterloe. Capt. Shokiro Asal, commanding Corm in potand seize Pine - the flotilla of torpedo boat de- Yang. stroyors, which engaged the Rue- All Gone to the Front. t sign dostro ars is thehero of toto J 1despatch London, 4 --A yMarchi . .� attack. He had only three destroy the Zimes from Woi=Sal-Wel describes a visit to Chemulpo. On the previous visit of tho correspondent the an- ohorage there was crowded with transports, but now there aro barely a dozen vessels to be seen, of which night aro warships. Few soldiers aro visible, but there aro pyramids of supplies. Practically all the troops have left Seoul except the permanent garrison of 6,000 men. She ;Zweite- tion force is in tench with the Rats. Mane near Anju. 'Twenty Russians at- tacked a Japanese poet of three men killing one of them. It le believed that na Other, fighting has occurred. It le estimated than 1,500 Russians, With a few guiis, and a number of Cossaeks, occupy the country north of AnJu. ,itc�.hI, the Illa�tio fleet for. the Farr ,east, PO= AltEatIli• NOT STARVED. Provisions are Plentiful and Prices Are very nigh. Ch(ofoo, March 18, -The tramp col. Tier, aFoxtan Hall, of Liverpool, ar- rivied at Chefoa froom Port Arthur yestordayh tier officers report t hat the Japanese Sleet, cording from the direction of Talionwaun, ,attacked Port Arthur at midnight on Wed- nesday. ed-n esday. The bombardment lasted 00 mitnutes, There Was no Moon and ram (was Railing. Three gums in the shore defences were disabled by the Japanese fire, Many shell's fell in the inner har- bor, 'butt they did no harms except to sunk a dredger( Ono shell des stroyed a lnicuae tit the town and killed ten !Chinamen, The oruuser Novik steamed out- side and engaged the enemy until she swats struck, when she returned tot her anchorage, Shte diad not ,suf- fen serious damage. The a7apanese fleet withdrew and had ,not :been noon again up to eeito time the Foxton Flall ,sailed, Food Is plentiful in port Arthur, the officers of the vessel say, ' and the primes are reasonable. The military bands aro giving their ac- customed concerts on the driveway. Candle fights only are permitted in houses, and the streets are deserted after (sunset, except by the parols.. h -r -- THE COSSACK 01' TUE SEA. Russia's Fiero Has Had Vast Naval Experience. St. Petersburg, March 13. -Thera is a. deep seated conviction here that henceforth there will be a. complete change of sea tactics and that Ad- miral Makaroff will make the fleet at Port Arthur an aggressive force. He enjoys the reputation throughout tho length and breath of the empire oof being a dashing officer, who de- lights in brilliant achievements, and his action on Thursday adds to his laurels as a bold and fearless fighter who loves to take the chances of war. Admiral :Dfakarotf's ideas run coun- ter to those generally accepted by naval epsrts and strategists. Ono of hie pet aversions is armor. The ad- miral is over outspokken in his critic- ism of the heavy battleship, which he has always contended placed too many !eggs in a single basket, bat shows his partiality for a fleet com- posed of a. number of swift, unar- mored cruisers, armed with heavy guns and attended by an unlimited number of torpedo boats. Tho protected cruiser Novik, to which he transferred his flag in the attempt to rescue the torpedo boat destroyer, is practically without ar- mor protection. Admiral Makaroff's predilection for swift ships has earned for his the sobriquet of the "Cossack of the sea," He to not likely to give the enemy much rest while any of his cruisers or torpedo boats remain afloat. Some- thing like a night torpedo boat at- tack on the enemy's base behind the Elliott Islands, for instance, would be such a tiling as the admiral would undertake. Makaroff began his career with several gallant exploits during the Turko-Russlau war, while command- ing a steamer which he had rigged up as a torpedo boat and played havoc with the Sultan's flotilla in th• Bleck Sea and Danube. r VLAD1VOSTOCIi ATTACK. Ice Kept the Japane4e Siiips from Getting Very Close. Tpkio, larch 13.-A detailed report of the Vladivostock bombardment has been received ,from Sasebo. It states tbat seven Japanese ebbs ar- rived at Askold Island at noon on Sunday, March 6. The sea was fro- zen for 5,000 metres fromshore, and heavy snow was falling. The ad- vance ship broke the ice, and the fleet approacbed the port with dif- ficulty, It attacked, passing in or- der, twice. There was no reply from the batteries, although soldiers were visible. Perhaps the fleet 'was beyond range. Much signaling was done byl the enemy!, The Japanese fleet withdrew, fol- lowed by one or more Russian ships for the trurpose of observation. The Japanese, fearing a torpedo attack, sailed avvaylk On Monday) the fleet was divided into squadrons, which searched the neighboring coact. Tho two squa- drone joined off Askold Island at 0 o'clock, in the morning, and again approached the port.'No ships were seen, and there was no firing from the batteries. The fleet withdrew without attacking, followed by a. Russian ship at a distance, It is surmised that the failure of the Vladivogtook batteries to reply( to the fire of the Japanese ships was due to lack of ammunition. Land right Now Imminent. London, March 14,-T.there is no read information of the land move- ments of the Japanese from any source, but as tho Seoul correspond- ent of the ' -mels points out, the prac- ticable landing places aro hardly yet free of ice. The sudden return of winter has increased the difficulties. The Japanese have no intention of metalling their main army any fur- ther than necessary along the exe- crable Careen roads. The troops el - ready Ianded aro sufficient to secure errs, but attacked the six Russian de- stroyers, ordering his cratt to close In with the en, my. He &teamed so close to the enemy's destroyers that they almost touched, and a most dosperate conflict ensued, from whtrlt the Russians retired, badly dis- abled. Vide -Admiral Togo le permanently numbered among the heroes of the empire. Tho latest reports place the Jap- enego loss at nine killed, five seri- ousiy wounded and seventeen slight- ly hurt. The Japanese fleet was not damt- aged in the fighting. New Attempt Vaned. Pariis, ittarelt 1.8e --Tho Tokio cor- respondent of the Gaulois says he ioarne street' a Most reliable Japan.. ese settroo that the Japanese fleet (Made another attempt to -clay ito block the. entrance ofort Arthur, but did not succeed, x' A Spa_ Potoreburg report states that' to w,nrahhrps at Crofstaalti In Splendid Fettle. Louden, Meech 14• --Thio Seoul cor- reepondont of the Times describes the Japanese troops Who have al- ready landed tte being in splendid fettle. They tie clothed a little heavily for marching, but quite suf- fielontly *0 stand the intoned cold hnvo received Orders to eoninteneeof the north. l) sides, each man armttrig Vropartutory, to doparti1reca:rrtef a species oC liosteon' blanket coat, with goats' hair inside. The erthusiaem and aanfidence inspired by the navy's success le exbillratiag to see. THE JAPANESE VERSION. Makes No Mention of the Loss of a Torpedo Boat. T1lokto, ,March 13.-- Vice -Admiral Togo's report of the fourth attack on ;Port 'Arthur by the Japanese fleet on March 10, which reached Tokio late Saturday, says - "Our squadron, as prearranged, at- tacked the enemy; at Port Arthur on March 10. Our two flotillas attacked the mouth of the harbor at Port Arthur aft 1 o'clock on the morning at the 10th. Finding no enemy; wait- ed until dawn,; one flotilla was engaged to oinking special mines in the abrbor entrance. Notwith- standing the enenee's fire, our flo- tilla succeeded in sinking tite mines. The other flotilla met the enemy's torpedo flotilla, consisting of six beats, in Liao-Tltei .,han channel, south of Port Arthur, at 4.80 o'clock. A hot engagement occurred at close range for thirty( minutes. The en- emiy, then took to flight; Our fire greatly, damaged the Russian ships, one of which was badly crippled by a shot through the boilers, and ala other was dbserved to be on fire. So close were the two flotillas to each other, that our destroyers, the As- aehio, Kasunia and Akatsuki, nearly touched the °nam,y!'s ships, and our crews could even hear the °ries of the men on -board them. We sustain- ed some damage and loss. The Akat- sukl had a (steam, pipe broken, and four stokers were killed -thereby. Our loss vvas seven killed and eight wet tided• Among the latter le Chief Engineer, Ninamisawa, of the Ka- suma; , H "Our other flotilla, wltIle leaving the Harbor entrance, observed two .Russian torpedo boats coming from seaward, and immediately,: engaged them, the battle lasting one hour. After causing them severe damage, ono of them effected its escape, but our destroyer, the Sasanami, cap- tured the other boat, which proved to be the fSteregusolitehi, notwith- standing the land batteries were pouring a heavy Miro on our flotilla. Tho tow line soon parted. and tbe easanamd found it necessary,( to take the crew from the Russian boat and abandoned the Steregutsohtchi, which finalist sank at 8 o'clock. "The enemy's cruisers, the ltovik and the Baan, Steamed out of the entrance of the harbor ;toward es, but, observing the approach of our cruiser, retired to the harbor. Our flotilla suffered some damage, but not heavy. The Sasanaini and Akat- (saki had two sailorskilled, and Sub - Lieut. Wilma, of the Aketsuki, and three sajlors were wounded. "Our main and cruiser squadrons arrived off Port Arthur .at 8 o'clock and the cruisers immediately moved toward the harbor entrance to pro- tect the torpedo flotilla. 'l/he main setoiseron advanced near Liao-Teei- Sluaa and opened an indirect cannon- ade against the inner harbor, from 1 to 1.30 o'clock. According to the observations made by ono of pur eeruisers Lacing the entrance, tae bombardment was remarkably effec tire: During our cannonade the en- emy's land batteries fired, but none of our ships suffered any' damage. Another cruiser squadron went to Zlalienwan and bombarded the en- emy's batteries on Shamsonto, the, to buildings thereon. "The cruisers Takasago and Sliiare reconnoitred the west coast of the Port Arthur Peninsula, but did not find the enemy. She Russian torpedo- boat destroyer damaged in 'tbe third attack on Pont Arthur, wail found to be the Wnushiterinuy, which had been completely sunk, the mast only being visible above the water. "Our squadron stopped the fight at 2 o'clock, a,Td returned to the ren- dezvous." Was Wiiu Burned? London, Mbrcii 14.-A despatch to the Exprees from Sh nglini, says that Admiral Alexioff has advised the Russian authorities at Sihan;ghai that he will have 40,000 men at 1,>vukden by the middle of Aprll. A Kobe despatch to the Express says that the Russians are retiring from Corea, crossing the Yalu River into Manchuria. It is reported that Wiju leas been sacked and burned by the retreating forcee. The district south of the Yalu is now prac- tically clear of Russian troops. A des'patoit Pram Seoul says about 30,000 Ja,luaneso are in Corea. A mes- senger from the mines at Unsan says that all is quiet there. There are probably only a few hundred Res - eines South of the Yalu. Japanese Repulse, • Cologne, March 13. -According to. telegrams from China to the Cologne Gazette, the Japanese are reported to have landed at Tatungku, at the mouth of the Yalu River. They were driven back by the Ruesians. The Russians aro said to have oc- cupied Kai-Liontso and Antung, both on the wteet bank of the Yalu, near its mouth• , RUSSIA'S NEW HOPE, General lionropatkin Oft' to Lead the Army. St. Petersburg, March 18.- Gen. Kouropatkin left St. Petersburg last night for the far east, amid the cheers of the people, who look to him to lead the army to success. He will arrive at , tbe Its Fla bin r to elan a baso, in something under, three weeks. Members of the staff of Gen. Kouro- patkin said that the General's s.tra- eg c campaign will not be developed before May' unless Japan forces has hand. It le quite expeoted that Post Arthur and Vladivoetock will bo iso- lated. ,lorttew of Russian torpedo boate and cruisers from Port Ar- thur may, bo expected frequently, as the loss of that port, would, of course, 'evoly° the loss of the re- mainder of the fleet, and Russia would much prefer to lose her ves- sels in desperate dashes against the tho enemy: than in a bottled -up surrender, i 1 • Gen. Kouropatkin'a departure was the occasion for the display of great enthusiasm. At 6 o'clock thousands lined the square in trent of the Nicholas station. 'The platform was +hosed at :a .o'clock to all but privi- leged people, among wvitom were sev- oral hundred ladled and military Mende. On the General's arrival he was greeted with esoutt and hur- rahs. G. 'Koui'opatlgtn Is it short, sturdy man, with a caddy complexion and cheerful manner, Ire spoke a fete WOOS to each: betorq ho entered e, Saloon carriage. id, do Plaine fel- lowed a,qd kissed him. Gen, Douro- ; patkin stood at q, window, among hou'quete of flowers, until the train ,steamed oats , WILL- TAKE TOKIO,. Gteneral fi;outopalkiii Deolaree.'Treaty of Peace Will be Signed There. Parse, Mfareh 1 •.-Tito At. Peters- burg correspondent of the Echo do Paris sande an interview) with, Gen. Kouropatkin, who is to have su- preme command of the Russian mili- tary forces in the Fatr East. Gen. Kouropatkin is .quoted as saYl "After crushing the Japianedte*N reaand l4auchuria we will take their (eland. If I have anything to say in the matter the treaty of peace will bo signed la Tlukto and no - whore else," Gen. Kquropatkln lead a long fare- well Interview with the Emperor to- day;. Ile also paid parting visits to the Empress and the Grand Dukes. Tho Emperor, in btdding himfare- well, expressed the greateet con- fidence that he would bring glory) to the Russian arms, Later in the day: Gen. Kouropat- kin received a deputation from the Municipal Council, w'hto presented him with an address and a triple icon, or sacred picture, represent - the warrior saints, Alexander Nov- elty', Alexis and George. The Gener- al received the icon on bonded knees and kissed it. In returning thanks to the deputation, he spoke modest- ly, and said, "It is necessary to be calm and patient. The army Will make faithful efforts to accomplish the task entrusted to it by, the Emperor.. Slight reverses aro pos- sible. Our troops are assembling pends slowly,. andtin this everything" de - It railroad. It can bo asssertod positively) that there 'will be no conflict of author- ityth' between Gen. Kouropatkin and e Viceroy!. Tho farmer is to retain administra- tive control of the vice roynitya Gen. Kouropatkin, although nomin- ally, a subordinate, will exercise complete control of the land oper- ations, and Vice -Admiral Makbarotf will command the fleet in the far oast, About 5,000 men are going for- ward over the Siberian Railroad ev- ery: day, and by the ntjddle bf April all the troops necessary; to put in- to effect the plane of the Govern- ment will be in East Asia. The land railroad around Lake Baikal is ex- peoted to bo completed bythe mid- dle of April, and thereafter the transportation of supplies and munitions of war will not, it Is be- lieved give anyj further trouble. WON BY SHARP TRICK. Wily Canada Will Let Patna Trophy Competition Alone. Ottawa, Meech 15. -There seems to bo no queetion that the Exeoutive of the Dominion Rifle Aesoeiation will refuse to send a, team to Sea Girt, N. J., to contest for the Palma Tro- phy this year, and possibly for many yea,re to come. The National Rifle Association of Great Britain, hav- ing learned from experience that the Americana will not play the game fairly are going to leave them se- verely alone, and Canada will follow eat. Ono of the conditions of the Palma Trophy competition is that it shall be shot for with the service rifle of tbe respective countries compet- ing. Thus at Risley last year the service rifle of Great 'Britain was the Lee-Metford, of Canada the Lee - Enfield. and of the United States it should nave been the Krag-Jorgen- sen. The service Krag in its groov- ing has ono turn, in every ten inches, but instead df using it the Unit- ed States authorities had a special rifle constructed of one in eight, or in other wprde, one complete addi- teenal revolution in the barrel. This gave the bullet a greater muzzle veloeity, and did not require so much allowance for wind. It was a dis- tinct advantage to the Americans, and in the opinion of many experts won them the match. The trick was discovered. The am- ericans have tried to justify it, but they cannot deny that they violated one. of the chief rules of the com- petition. Little weeder then that the British Rifle Association auth- orities will have nothing more to do with, them. RETURNS TO THE ATTACK. itosebcry Again Repudiates BaUour's Charge of Calumny. London, afar. 15. -Lord Rosobery addressing a great free trade meet - ,ng n,i: Newcastle-osn-llene yesterday, returned to the attack on Mr. Bal - four's charge of calumny;. 13e had followed Lord George Hamilton's Verbatim description of the two do- otini:ents, and had been called a cal- umniator, an expression which had not been withdrawn. He said : "al- though I have long entertained a friendehip for Mr. Balfour, there is no roan in 'the world from ,whom I ac- cept that description of myself with- out a -public and violent repudiation." Ho believed that Mr. Balfour's eva- sion in the ;natter of the documents had created a atnongiy; founded dis- trust of the Government. The action of the Government in changing its policy on the )Land Taxation Bill on Friday: Was a significant sign of .com- ing dissolution. ' The surrender to the Chamberlahn- ites, showed that the Government. was not its own master, but was dominated pry! a politician Whose ora- tory lied descended from an exor- dium; of the Empire to a peroration in favor of protection. When Mr. Cham- berlain left the Government he left his son to control the finances of the • country. That was the key to the whole situation, The Government's policy- of retaliation was only a bath- ing machine in a storm. s m. Lord Rso9e- beryl compared the preeent situation of the Government to the position al' the Liberal party! in 1886, owing to the Uniontst secession. Tho free fooders had'iiow a Strong motive to join the Liberals until if free trade policy 'was assured. When the Liberals were returned the Em- pire would be kept together with- out a protective policy. Ile bad not alway'.s been able, to see eye to eye with Sir William Harcourt. Intelli- gent • public men rarely- did, but ale recognized his great eminence, his in- telleotual capacity, sturdy cham- pionship, and high qualhttes, and he would long remain ono of the rotate ly and memtirabio .figures of l'arlia- mentdi,:;1•t;t A False Alarm. .--r.,..,,,- Colot'ado Springs, Col., March 14.•--.A ,.neoial to the Gazette frees {Camp Gold- leld states that no etch crime as Gus - 'ave Marx. the Chicago bandit, describes in his confession, has been enmmittod in 'he Cripple Creek district within the past year. crines committal in that dis- rnet have been run to earth end fnstennd on some person. Neither the police nor the militia know of any such crime with which Mart could have been connected, WEI:IIAIzWI 1 REPORTS FORT AiTIIEJR CAPTUREO.• St. Petersburg Despatch Does Not Bear This Out. Russians Concentrating on Liao Tung Peninsula. St. Petersburg, March 14. -Noon. -1 There is no truth in the rumors that t the Russians have abandoned Port Ay- I thur. Admiral Abaza, secretary of the Committee on Far Eastern Affairs, au- thorizes the Associated' Press to deny the story. He says the situation at Port Arthur is unchanged, and that nothing of importance has occurred there in trig last tweney-four hours. ' Tried to Rescue Russians. Tokio, March 14.-A supplementary report front Viee-Aamiral Togo con- cerning the effort made by crows of the Japanese torpedo boat destroyers in the action off Port Arthur on the 10th in- stant to rescue the crews of the dis- abled Russian torpedo boat destroyers, reached hero to -day. Captain Shojiro Asai, commanding the flotilla of torpedo boat destroyers, states that the Japan- ese would have been able to rescue many more of the enemy but for the deadly fire of the snore batteries and the close approach of the Russian cruis- er Novik. The report also explains that four nen rescued were not part of the crew of the Stereguschtchi, as originally reported. When the Japanese rescuers reached the Steregusehticlih only the dead re- mained on board, and it it believed the living members of the crew jumped overboard and perished. Three of the Russians rescued are engineers, and the fourth is a torpedo operator. Two of the captives were slightly wounded. They were all plated aboard a Japanese battleship, and were given food and medicine. Has Port Arthur Been Captured? Wei -Hai -Wei, March 14. -Tho Japan- ese hero report that Port Arthur .has been captured. Russia and the States. St. Petersburg, March 14. -President Roosevelt's recent proclamation regard- ing the observance of neutrality by all ' officials and abstention from either action or speech whien might cause ir- ritation to either Japan or Russia has produced a great impression here. The newspapers this morning print promin- ently .articles commending the substance and spirit of the proclamation in the hightest terms. The Official Gazette accepts it unreservedly as a complete answer to the charges that the Ameri- can Government is hostile to Russia, and declares that hereafter, despite any • seemingly untoward incident which may arise, it will be considered settled once for all that the "American Government has taken a friendly attitude toward our aims and policies in the far east," adding: "This undoubtedly narks a change in American sentiment, the peo- ple there realizing the danger of sup- porting the Japanese. The Russ wel- comes the proclamation as convincing evidence of a more friendly feeling on the part of Americans for Russia." The Boorse Gazette remarks: "Theo- dore Roosevelt was the first ruler to respond to the warning cry issued many years ago by Emperor William against the yellow peril." Tho papers also mase a display this morning of a denial of the New Chwang report that the United States intends to support the protest of the command- er of the U. S. gunboat Helena against the plan of the Russian authorities to sink junks at the entrance of the Liao River, evidently considering that this puts an end to the story which caused a fitury hero yesterday, and that fur- ther comment is unnecessary. The Alexandria committee announces that in addition to the regular -army pensions a supplementary penelon of $25 a year will be given to the widows and orphans of the non-commissioned offi- cers and $24 to those of soldiers and sailors killed in the face of the enemy, FOR THE tfRONT. The Reservists Going and the Refugees. Returning, St. Petersburg, March 14, 3.46 p• n. -- A Russian correspondent proceeding to the front writes to the St. Petersburg Telegraph Bureau from Irkutsk, Sibe- ria, as follows: "Our express train tra- vels slower than the slowest train in European Russia. The seat of war is still remote, but its presence is felt. The long trains of cars filled with sol- diers, the caravans and the primitive sleighs, drawn by shaggy horses, which we pass along the way at the crowded stations, break the monotony of tho snow blown in the wastes and endelse forests, and the stillness is broken by the songs of the jolly reservists and the bells of the village churches. This bus- tle and activity amidst the Siberian desolation strikingly illustrates the Russian stretching his limbs prepara- tory to punishing the foo. Gen. Ron- nenkampf, who is to lead the Cossack division, is travelling on the same train. He tells me that all these re- servists will become splendid, hardened soldiers a fortnight after reaching the front. .At Irkutsk we met the flrst victims of the war -women and children trying to get back to European Russia. On our entrance into the semi -darkness of thestation we were greeted by the wailing of children issuing from the dirt heaps and baggage encumbering the floor. Their waxen faces and bloodshot, sleepless eyes would melt the heart of stone. The wild, name -stricken flight of their mothers from Manchuria after the startling outbreak of the war Ied to great sufferings. They reached this place after untold hardships, only to find that they will have to wait till there is sufficient train accommodation to enable them to preeeed further. So the children have been pining, sleepless and motionless in this fetid atmos- phere, because outside reigns deathly frost. Port Arthur Not Captured. Tien Tsin, March 14. -The reported occupation of Port .Arthur by the Jap- anese is untrue, according to a telegram received here at 11 o'clock, which left Port Arthur at 7 o'clock on Sunday evening. Upon inquiry the riot at Shansi turns. out to have been unimportant. TOBB ELECTROCUTED AT SIN6SIN6 PRISON e While He Walked to the Death Chair He Repeated the Prayer His Mother Taught Him, Oscsininge, N. Y., March 14. -Thomas Tobin was put to death today in the electric stair in Sing Sing Prison for the murder of Captain James B. Craft, in New York city. He walked to the chair uttering a prayer that his mother had taught him. Three shocks were given be- fore he was pronounced dead. Tobin. an ex -convict, was employed in a tenderloin saloon in September, 1902, when Captain Craft, a wealthy Long Is- lander, visited the place. The captain dis- played some money, and a drug was put into his liquor. He quickly became un- conscious and was robbed. The victim failing to recover consciousness, Tobin dragged him to the furnace room ,eut off his Bead with a cleaver and threw it into the fire. After his conviction, Tobin ex• hibited signs of violent insanity, and was examined twice by commissions, the sec- ond of which reported that he was sham- ming. Big Ice Gorge. \Vilkesbarre, Pa., March 14. -Efforts to start the big ice gorge in the Susque- hanna River above this city, were made to -day by dynamiting the front of the mass of ice. Great Meeks of ice have been intact. gorge remains s led but the p dislodged, toremove the will An effort also be made gorge below this city by the use of de • namite. The railroad companies leave, hundreds of men at work clearing the railroal tracks and cutting roadways througtt the heavy ice, which in many places is 15 feet thick. Blizzard at Detroit. Detroit, btich., March 14.-A furious blizzard descended on Detroit and lower Michigan during the night and the heavy snow fall, drifter. by the high east winti, is delaying traffic. considerably. Street ears in this city had as muchtroubia during the morning as at any time this winter. Several lines were almost eerie pletely paralyzed during the early hours • Bribes to Bandits. New York, March 14: Trustworthy information lits been received that Ad miral Alexiefl• lids offered bribes of $15;000 to mounted bandits in Matelot - rift With the view of utilizing theist as outposts against Japanese attacks, says it Tokio desnatelt to the Sun. The Russians are concentrating at INlanten and Funehau, on the wort coast of the Liao Tung peninsula, evI- dently in anticipation of it Japanese landing, Came to See the Falls. New York, March 14. -Friedrich Aug- ust, (Grand Duke of Oldenburg, whose un- ceremonious departure from European shores is said to have caused much ex- citement among the inhabitants of the Grand Duchy, has returned to this city, having accomplished the object of his journey across the Atlantic, which was to gaze upon the beauties of Niagara, described to him by Prince Henry of Prussia. Rumors that he went from Niagara to Washington before coming back to Now York cannot be confirmed. The Grand Duke this evening will go on board tha steamer Kaiser Wilhelut II., which sails for Brennen at 5 o'clock Tuesday morn- ing, making his stay in the United States less than a week. An Exciting Voyage. San Francisco, March 14. -After a voyage of nearly eight months, during which her crew mutinied because of se. vere labor in a succession of gales, the British four -masted barque Falls, of Hall - dale, has arrived here, 235 days out from Liverpool, from which port she sailed on July 25. Captain Thompson first at- tempted to round Cape Horn, and, fail- ing, after battling with tempestuous seas and winds, gav:., it up and went practi- cally around the ti oria the other way, via The Cape Y o of Gotta Hope. T e vicinity Horn was reached Sept. 25. Thre tvaspti sueession of terrific southwest and west- erly gales were encountered, which ma tiered it impossible to work the ship around the Cape and into the Pacific. One of the gales attained a hurricane veloc- ity, on ()et. Jtli and 10th, in the course of which 10 sails were blown away. After attempting to make the Falklands, eat the vessel had. begun to leak, Captain Thompson decided to square away for the eastern passage around the Cape of Good Hope. On Jan. let, Foveaux Island, off the south of New Zealand, was roach • cd, and there a stop was made for pro visions and water, the supply of which was running short. At revenue, eight men of the Brew, tired out front battling the elements, re- fused duty, but, with the exception of the ringleader, they turned to, After the captain and his mates were forced to adopt forcible measures with them. The ringleader was ironed and confined_ for 38 days. The vessel, after leaving Fov- enux, made the run across the 1'acifin without any unusual event in the way of mishaps or in point of time. The troubh with the men quieted down, and all hands were on duty when the )niter WAS drop. ped here.