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The Wingham Advance, 1904-05-05, Page 7"---71111Pw' JAPANESE VICTORIOUS IN FIRST GREAT LAND BATT Eight Hundred Russians Slain in the Fight. Seven Hundred Japanese Killed a heavy Bre from a depauctie battery I, leas telegraphy orders to prepare for posted north or WIN, two of our gum), landing, to moil in lire ships, to Atte& Shelled pontoon bridge and compel"• with submarine beide, etc. 'ed the Japanese to disraantle it. "The japaneee troops At Litzaven JAPANESE FLEET a Ana Khuesan retreittea Nartly to the Yale, end partly northwar . APPear Off Viadivostock Coast and Put E .14 "Up to the preeent ten carbines and to Sea Again. Marty cartridges and maps have been found. on the Japanese rsitions. St, Petereburg, May 1.—in a telegram "Conspicuous gallan ry WOO dis- to the Emperor, detect April 30: Vice - played by the light Infantry of the 100 roy Alexiefr bays: f guns. We have taken twenty-eieht and 12t11 Regiments, under Lieut. -Col. 'About 2 o'clock yesterday morning mumtion, more than twenty officers, and gutelc-firing guns, many rifles, much am-) Yluacill818. At 10 o'clock on the morning of many. non-commiesioned officers and men April 20,.a Japanese force of 1,50U in- as f entry, with 12 guns, began to crows the as prisoners, x am informed that Major isky, commander of the Third river at Ambikhe and. Schogapoudzy. East Siberian Rifle Brigade, and Lt. -Gen. Near Ambilthe there was a snAall Rue- Zassahteli, commander of the Second Si- elan detachment under Luiut.-Col. Goes- . Wriest Army Corps, were wounded. Our sey, wbich was cornpeled to retire un- easualties number about 700, and the der the sustained Are of two batteries Russian loss is more than 800 men," ' ef Six guile each. Four men were wound- ed, and Lieut -Col. Goussey was bruised on the heacl and left arm. Our mountain JAPANESE ARTILLERY guns were unable to return the enemy's e ' fire, on account 4:1 the excessive range, or Wounded in the Struggle. Retreated. ' Was TOO Much for the Russians, Win) and reinforcements were sent to the St. Petersburg, Mita, 2.—The ilrst Jat detachment, with orders to drive the Japanese beyond the Yalu. ing of the Guards and the 2nd and 12th muse warships at the ihouth of the "Gen. Mischtebenko reports that Jap- . • fines army, under Gets Kuroki, gonsis 9 " Japan s Army Crossed the Yalu VavtinT,IF,s4criDrroh:frtr4oV,IPtt mui4s,ontiari2ii,,zrets4rneg oz., joitiy, After Five Days' Skirmishing. Tokib, May 2, 7 a:in.—After Ave de:ys of fighting, largely under artillery, the ili•st Japanese Army, under Gen. Kuroki, bas forced a crossing a the Yalu River, and yesterday, with a gallant in- fantry charge, covering a frontage of four miles, it drove the Russians from Chiu -Tien -Chang (known by the Rus- sians as Twentehen) and the heights of the right bank of the.tho or Aida River, which enters the Yalu from the north, ahnost opposite Wiju. The Japanese turned the left flank of the Russian position, and in the battle of yester- day (Sunday) they swept away the new front interposed by the Russians to check their onward movement. The Japanese losses on the Yalu Sunday were about,'700 killed and wounded. The Russian loss was 800 men. The Japanese captured 28 quick -firing guns, 20 officers and many men. The Rus- sians made two stands. The present position of the Japanese is a dominating one, and they may force the abandonment of the defences erected by the Russians at Antung and other points lower clown the river. DETAILS OF THE , Key to Russian Position Captured by the Japanese. Tokio, May 1.—Advices from the front say that Japanese forces began an attack on the Russians on the Yalu River last Tuesday. • The battle was continued Wednesday, Thursday, Fri- day and Saturday, and to -day. On Thursday the Japanese effected a cross- ing of the Yalu and secured a lodg- ment on the right bank of the river. The fighting on Saturday was at long range, and there was a duel with heavy guns itcrose the river.- Figlit- ing was resumed as daylight to-dny (Sunday). The 12th division of the Japanese army forced a crossing of the Yalu River, above Wiju, just be- fore dawn Saturday. 'The second pon- toon bridge across the rive)? near Wiju was completed at 8 o'clock Satur- day night, and the Inmerial Guards, of the second division, crossed during the night. The Russians' left flank lute been turned, and a general attack be- gan at dawn to -day (Sunday), nearly all the Japanese batteries on the south bank of the river and a flotilla of gun- boats co-operating with the army. The Japanese have advanteges of position and numbers, and aro confident of rout- ing the enemy. Hearty this morning they. captured Chiu -Tien -Chang, ten miles north et Antung, whicli is re- garded as the key to the Russian' posi- tion on tbe.right bank of tbo Yalu River. It is expected that the Rus- sians will retreat to Feng-Huan-Cheng, ssio...which is on the road to Liao -Yang. Gen. Knrold began the movement on Tuesday by ordering a detachment of the Imperial Guards division to seize the Island of Kurito which is in the Yalu above Wiju, and a detachment of the second division to seize the.Island of Kinteito, below Wiju. One battery of Japanese artillery, which had taken a position on a hill to • the east of Wiju, fired three volleys at ' Kosan, and at noon the Russian bat- teries behind Chiu-Tien-Cha.ng shelled Wiju, wounding one Japanese soldier with shrapnel. On Wednesday the Res - plans resumed the bombardment of 'Wiju, fifing at intervals throuehout the day. The Japanese artillery did not re- spond to this fire. Gen. Kuroki had. received reports to the effect that the Itussisms were forti- fying the heights on the rialit bank of the Mo River.. These new defences were declared to "extend from Chin -Tien - Chang through the village of Malmo to Koshoki„ a distance of three and a guar. ter miles. The Russians resumed. their bombardment Thursday, but it wet onerally ineffective. Subsequently, Oen. Kuroki ordered two companies of the Imperial Guarde to erose the Yalu and inake reconnaisance along the left hank of the Tho, for the purpose of dis- covering the eharacter of the Russian fortifientions along the heielits on the right bank of the river. The Japitneee force advanced toward Kosan. and then detached a small detachment to the vil- lage, where a party of Russians were eneountered. ,the engagement whieli followed five Russians were killed. The Russians ehelled the reconnoitring party from an emplacement in the hills in the southeast part of Yoshoko. This fire wee without effect. The Russian artillery cm the hill be- hind Chiu -Tien -Chane. firing at a MO angle, opened on Wijts the Island of Xnrito, and Seikodo. to the sontli of Wile, where some Japanese batteries had teken 'Mese:igen. .The firing continued. into Thureday night, And on. Kernel reporte that 'while it was ineffective, it disturbed his preparations for nn athtek. The Res - Mans resumed the thelling of Wiju on Friday, but the Japanese guns did no( reply. The twelfth division of tho japait- ese army was chosen to make the first croesing of the Yalu. It began ite preparationFi °It Friday bY driving the Ref:Mans front their position on the balk of the river opposite Suikoellin. which is eight milee above Wile, and Illea.„,,the point seleeted for the eroseing. Tide r". division tonstruetea a redone bridge Over the river, and At 3 o'clock Salm'. day morning it began eroesing. Tilf* entire division linseed over the river 'during the day. And by II o'elock Sat- urday evening it was in the position its- eigned to it for the bettle of SiliidaY• Th6 InoveMent of the Ietit Japanese clivieion Was moored by the Seennd :Regiment of moitt .Artiltery, and Another regiment of heavy guns. .At $0 Ininutee of 11 o'cloelt finturday MOrning the Iteselim attillery posted to the north and to the east of Chiu - Tien -Chang began shelling the patrols of Japanese infantry, which had been despatched from Kinteito Island to Chuelcodi, another island. north of Kinteito, and under Chiu -Tien -Chang, Silenced Russian Fire. The Japanese batteries replied to this shelling, and silenced the Russian fire. Later eight Russian guns posted on a hill to the east of • the village of Makao opened upon the Lnperial Guards. In this shelling the Japanese artil- lery to the east of Wiju responded, and the Russians ceased firing. Then both the Chiu -Tien -Chang and the Kelm batteries reopened, and this fire brought a vigorous response from the chain of Japanese batteries on the Corean side of. .the river. The Rus- sian guns fired for two hours before they were silenced. In his report Gen. Kuroki expresses the 'belief that his shelling was very effective against the Russians. The Japanese losses in the bombard-; ments of Saturday were two men killed and five officers and 22 men. wounded. A flotilla of gunboats from the squadron of Admiral Hosoya participated in the fighting of Saturday. It encountered a mixed force of Russian infantry, cav- alry and artillery on the Manchurian bank of the Yalu below Antung, and af- ter a" sharp fight scattered them to the lulls. A bridge across the main stream of the Yalu, just above Wiju, was com- pleted at 0 o'clock Saturday night, and the second Japanese division and the Imperial Guards immediately began crossing. They advanced and occupied the hills back of Kosan, facing the Russian posi- tion on the right bank of the river. All through Saturday night regiment after regiment of Japanese soldiers poured across the bridge, and at a late hour on Satm•day night Gen. Kuroki tele- graphed to the general staff of the army: "I will attack the enemy on May 1, at dawn." True to his promise, Gen. Kuroki, at daylight to -day centred. all his artillery on the Russian position between Chiu - Tien -Chang and Yoshoko. To this fire the Russians made reply with all their batteries. At 7 o'clock in the mornieg the Rus- sian battery at Yoshoko was silenced, and half an hour later Gen. Kuroki ordered his line, stretching for four miles, to attack. The Japanese infan- try, on the word of command, charged across the wading that stream breast deep, and began storming the heights at 15 minutes.past a, At 9 o'clock they had swept the Rus- sian line back across the plateau. The reports of this fighting which have been received here do not indicate whether the Russians retired down the river or in the direction of Feng -Wang -Cheng on the road to Liao -Yang. The Official Reports. "Gen. Kuroki, ccimmanding the First Army, reports that on the 26th of .April preparations were made for laying • bridges across the Yalu River. On the same day detachments of the Imperial Guard, and of the second division, at- tacked, and dispersed the enemy on islands in the river, and occuped the islands. In these engagements 10 of the Imperial Guard were seriously, and nine slightly wounded, while there were no casualties in the second divi- : sion. The enemy retreated, carrying dead and wounded toward many Chiu -Tien -Chang. A Russian cavalry- man 'Le ken prisoner said that the 22nd, 113rd and 27th infantry regiments of the Eastern Siberian sharpshooters formed the van of the Russian forces. Lieut. Senyoloir, commanding the Menintain Scouts of the 22nd regiment, was found dead, and was buried at Wiju. "Ninety-five dead terses were found. From noon of the 26th until the 27th the enemy fired intermittently upon Wiju, but no reply was made. On the 20th two gunboats, two torpedo boats, and two steamers, detached from the squad- ron of Admiral Hosoya, ascended the Yalu and exchanged shots with the en- emy Antsushan and silenced him. The detachments suffered no damage. On .April 28 two infantry companies of the Imperial Guard reconnoitred Hoban, and it part of the company was detached to Sitzuyuen, from which place the en- emy fled, leaving live dead. The enemy fired at long range from the neighbor- hood of Chia -Tien -Chang upon Wiju, without much effect upon our works. On April 29 the 12th division commenced bridging the river at Sukichin mid eom- plated the work on the morning of the 30th, and the army crossed. From 10.40 a. in. to 1.30 p. m, there was severe firing on all sides, but the enemy was soon Si. lenced. Our losses were five officers slightly wounded and of non-eominission- ed officers and men two killed And 22 wounded. "At 8 p. in. of the sante day the bridge over the inain stream was completed, and the Army, crossing, advftneed upon Mahan. On the same day the detftelo ment from Admiral Hosoya's squadron advanced below Antengeien and fought tit close range with 400 of the enemy's infantry and cavalry. The enemy's itr- tillery also directed A heavy fire against the detachment, but retteatecl after about an hour's firing. There wore no easualties on our side. About May 1, lit daybreak, our forces: commenced moon- fuling stud silenced the enema's artillery on the hill northwest of Yuslittaikott, end At 7.30 all divisione advaneed to the at- tack. end Iry 9 a. us took possession of the heigItte extendine from Chin -Tien - Meng to the north of Mitkon and Yu- elmukott." A supplemental repot from Gen. Itu- roki. eovering Sunday's lighting sap: "The Ruesians nutde two stands. Tho. enemy'a etronetit ineluded all of the third divieion,two reeimente of the eixth diVieion,one cavalry brigade, about forty nulek-iiring gaits. And eight maehine Yalu River yesterda, about 30 nill minutes No damage was done • y es above the mouth of the river, near Ku- lientse, where the river bends abruptly "All is quiet at Yin-Kow. "On April 30, from 10 o'ciock in the to the eastwa For three days less than 3,000 Rus- sians, under Gems Sassulitelt, Mistchen- ko ad Kashtalinsky, have been strung along the Manchurian side ef the river, and have been harassing and impeding tho crossing of the Japanese very sue- eesfully, despite their hopeless inferior- ity in men and guns. Friday the Japanese, who had occu- pied the heights near Litzaven and Khassan, above Antung, were dislodged and driven back to the river, with con- siderable loss. They were eomp.elled to 'dismount their 'pontoon bridge in order to save it from destruction. Saturday a gunboat flotilla. at the mouth of the river, and all the field guns posted on the Corean bank opened a bombardment, scattering the Rus- sians on the 1Vicinchurian side. The bombardment was maintained, intermit- tently for seven hours, twenty-four field guns and twelve 4.7 -inch guns parti- cipating, and over 2,000 shells being The Rusian reports pay tribute to the fine masked positions of these guns. In two days' fighting the Russians lost two officers and five men killed and six officers and 30 men- wounded. The general staff's account of the On the morning of May 1 it became operations on the Yalu to -day (Sunday) apparent that the bombardment of is as follows: • Saturdey was 'preliminary to the cross- "At 4 a.m. Japanese field batteries ing of Sunday, when the Japanese with 4.7. guns opened a terrific fire on opened again with their batteries, our position at Tman-Caten (also known pouring an intense fire into the Rus- as Chiu--Tien-Cheng), and our troops sian lines, which caused great loss. posted near Potientsky. The over - The Russians had no Intention of whelming superiority of the Japanese in trying to prevent the Japanese cross- artillery, and the heavy losses • their ing, their object being to retard and fire inflicted on our troops occupying embarrass the crossing as much as these positions made it clear to Gen. possible. This baying been accomplish. Stissulitch that is was impossible to ed with a comparatively insignificant hold Turen-Clien. Consequently the force, Gen. Sassuliteh, menaced by the. troops were ordered to retire from overwhelming force of the Japanese, Turen-Chen, while still. holding the retired in perfect order to bus second Potientsky road. position. a short distance away, which "When Gem Sassulitch despatched his morning until 5 in the afternoon the • Japanese shelled Our position atTuren- Chen from their batteries on the left bank, where they had posted twenty- four lien" guns and twelve 120 -millime- tre siege guns, which were cleverly mounted in masked earthworks. They fired a minimum of 2,000 projectiles. Our troops stuck stubbornly to the pontoon at Turen-Chen. "On the morning of April 30 the Japanese recrossed the Yalu at Sindi- agu attacking our troops posted on the • heigihts near the village of Khussan, and turning our left flank. Owing to the great superiority of the Japanese forces, we retreated to a position near the village of Potientsky. "Oar losses at the Turen-Cben pon- toon wore Lieut. Pakbaloff killed and Lieut.:Col. Mahler, commanding a bat- tery of the Sixth Artillery Brigade, seriously wounded, in the head; Col. Arester,C apt. Vorobioff, Capt. Sopojni- koff, Lieut. Philadelphoff and Capt. Atrosehenko wounded. Lieut. Retrep- off, of the 22nd Regiment, was seri- ously wounded in the head on the pon- toon near Khussan. Sustained Heavy Losses. the Japanese immediately attacked, and, telegram, the Russian troops were re - where fighting is now in progress. tiring in good order from Turen-Chen tion, and the battle was continuing at and SchakItedzy to their second posi- The Crossing of the River. An official despatch has been receiv- Potientsky and Tchingu." ed at headquarters concerning affairs on the Yalu up to April 28. It is as fol- lows: EKPERTS ON JAP VICTORY. "Official reports received in the last fed days state that on April 22 a move - was en &mono uhe Japanese troops on the Yalu, small detachments moving on the left bank. On April 23 larger bodice . concentrated opposite Wiju, ad the Japanese proceeded to cross by small detachments. About two companies, with a small body of cavalry crossed at Siao-Poussikhe. "From the evening of April 24 onward 'reports began to come in to the effect that the enemy was preparing to cross, at Wiju, Turen-Cheng and Tehao-Clien- Ling. "On the following day the Japanese endeavored to throw bridges across the eastern arm of the Yalu opposite Tui -Cheng and Siao-Poussikhe. To- wards 3 o'clock in the afternoon they occupied the Island ot Samalinda, and spent the night of April go on an island' north of Sandakou. "The Japanese, who numbered fif- ten hundred, were received by the fire of our light cavalry, who, being numer- ically inferior, took boats and crossed to the right bank, whence they kept up a lively fire, occupying a narrow - pain along the bank, sheltered by a sharp ascent. Our light cavalry lost Semenoff, and eighteen men wounded, the chief of the detachment, Lieut. but their severe fire at short range against the Japanese in close forma. - tion must have inflicted considerable losses. "At 3.30 a.m., April -20, by their firing on the island opposite Turen-Cheng. our guns destroyed the bridge across the eastern branch of the Yalu toward the Island of Samalinda, forcing the Japanese to continue their passage of the river by pontoons south of Wiju. "Towards midday a detachment of Japanese with a battery of artillery began a march upon Turen-Cheng, but meeting with the fire of our artillery, they retired in disorder and confusion toward the place of their passage. The Japanese battery did not have time even to come into action. "At 0 o'clock in the evening of April 27 some three battalions of Japanese crossed the Yalu at the village of Mat- ontseo, over the eastern branch of the river. The night of April 27-28 passed quietly. "On the morning of April 28 our sods reported that the Japanese had occupied an island opposite the village of Sandakou, hav,ing screened Advance posts on the left bank of the river. "Our troops continue to occupy • their positions on the right bank of the river." The general staff has issued the fol- lowing account of the actions on the Yalu. River, April 29 and 30: "From Gen Kottropatkin's telegram it appears flint the Japanese, having crossed to the right bank of the yaks near the village of Sindiagu, oraupied the villages of Meissen and Litzaven. Gen, Sastilitelt, with it view of reoc- cupying Litzaven and the heights oar Khussan, ordered on April 20 a titer. ough reconnaissance ,of the ponitiono which tho japatiese occepied, and then sent a detitchment eommanded by Staff Lieut. -Cot Lind to attack the enemy. "The positions near Litzneen and Khussan were defended by a Japanese force consisting of two battalions of the Fourth Reginicet of the Guard, with mountain gene mut a small force of cavalry of the guard. With the fiesistance of our Artillery from Patient- isky• our troops dislodged the Japanese from their position, losing two sharp- shooters killed and 13 Wounded. They Japanese left on the position they va- cated 10 dead and 20 wounded. They also earried may it number of their wounded, Mid °there scrambled clown tli e eliffs of the Yalu. The enemy suceeeded in removing their inountain guns. "After oecupying the heights near Sindittgu, where our troops 'came -under No Tendency to Deduce TOo' Much From Facts to Hand. London, May 2.—There is no tendency on the part of experts to deduce too much from the hitherto available ac- counts of land fighting. They point out that the Russian and Japanese accounts are irreconcilable on various points, while the importance of the obscure ail lages mentioned in the despatches, many of which cannot be located, cannot be determined without further knowledge. Moreover, it is still doubtful to what ex- tent the Russians intended to oppose the crossing of the Yalu and defend their position on the bank of the river. It is fully recognized, however, that the Japanese have won a decided victory along a four -mile front in the first real active land operation. It is assumed that the Japanese advance on the Yalu has been accomplished or will be imme- diately followed by movements else- where. The second army corps under Gen. Baron Oku has been in the field for several days. It is unknown here, and q is prebably even unknown to the Rus - mans, where either of these corps is. Meanwhile if the Russians are unable to maintain their position at Motien they will be in danger of being forced to abandon the Lieu valley altogether. The Times commenting upon the sit- uation in the far east, says that. if Gen. Sassuliteh is reinforced, the troops must be taken from the Russian reserves at Liao -Yang. If they are withdrawn from that place it is not likely that they can be replaced in time from Harbin. The result would seem to be if the second or third Japanese army attempts a rending on the east or west side of the Lioatung Peninsula, there will be no overwhelming • Russian force at Liao -Yang able to crush them before they have taken up a defensible position. TURNED THE POSITION. The 'Japanese Operations Described as Brilliant. • London, May 2.—A despatch to the Daily Telegraph from Tokio says Sun- day s brilliant operations have assuredly , turned the Russian position n,t Antung. 8,1 The jepanese casualties were probably 113 heavy, but it is likely that the Russian losses were heavier, including losses of .su . guns And material. The position. stormed Jr is named Yujulio. It is it high bluff be- Pt Won Make and Chitt-Tien-Chane. The Tokio correspondent of the Chron- iele says that the ,Tapittese have moved itt the rate of tivelve milts it day. four Japanese torpedo boats appeared in the Gulf of Ussuri, oir the Skrypler lighthouse, but shortly afterwards put out for the open sea again. "It was reported from Askold Island at 20 mbitites after 7 in the morning that 10 Japanese cruisers and six tor- pedo boats were coming up from the south. They steamed fast in the direc- tion of the Gulf of Ussuri, without corn- ing in range. At 10 o'clock in the num- fling they headed towards Cape Genova, And steanled along Russky /eland as far as Scott Island, eventually disappearing in a Southerly direction in a thick fog, which prevented further observation of their movements. "The continued presence of the Jap- anese squadron off Vladivostock has convinced the authorities that Vice- A.doral Togo has taken to heart the sharp lesson taught him through his failure to consider the possibilities of miscbief by the formidable Russian 41 - vision of that port, and is now seek ing means to stop further raiding opei ations in the Sea of Japan. It is ev 41,44,1,1i. , ISiSTROUS ME ALMOST WIPES. OUT FERNIE„ B. C. The Heart of the Town Swept Clean by the Flames and }the Best Buildings Burned. Very Few Dw011ings Were Destroyed and There ts Little Suffering Among the Residents. The Loss Will Total $500,000, but the Pluck' Townspeople Will 'Soon Have Things Going Again. Fermi°, B. C's despatch: Of the greatei , flames have taken the heert of the (Viva part of Fernie's flourishing business cen- completely. There were no fatalities in the conflagration, and, owing to the few tre nothing is left but smokin00 ruins, residences burned, families with here and, there a vault and a are hemeless. But the five hotels demol- tottering chimney, where yesterday stood ished accommodate it great many men who are now without room or board. The loss of the stores makes scarcity of food, but this will be immediately re- plenisbed from the stores of collieries nearby. The public square was utilize.' as a dumping ground far the stuff which people attempted to save, It presents a unique appearance, with hotel furniture, household goods and general merchata dise in heaps all over it. The fire was large enough to create a great deal of excitement, but what could be done to save property was done systematically and with little loss of time. The indomit- able energy of the townspeople is al- ready prevailing over the hose, and emp- ty buildings are being utilized for the business places of such concerns as the Coal Company, the Trites, Wood Com- pany, the Bank of Commerce, and P, Burns' meat market. Tents are also beginning to dot the hopeless looking ground, where the only uneharred objects are huge piles of ice left from the various ice houses. The ca- tastrophe will not interfere with the works of the mines beyond it few shifts being lost at Coal Creek. Building opera- tions will be commenced immediately, as there is a good supply of lumber and. fit- tings in the town ,The total loss of pro- perty cannot be estimated at onee, but the greatest loss in the mercantile line is sustained by the Trites, Wood Com- pany, which is roughly estimated at $150,000, partly covered by insurance. - smart -looking business blocks. The fire started this morning near the south- dent that as the Japanese were inform - ea or ...e operations of Russian sh1p8 in Corean waters, the Government in- stnucted Vice-Antiral Togo to detach a strong squadron and send it to Vladivostok to cut off the Russian ships and confine them to the harbor so that they could do no further dam- age." While there is no expectation that Rear -Admiral Yeszen will risk an en- counter avail a superior force by put- ting to sea, even on it raiding expedi- tion,it is stated that he is a bold, care ful commander, and will spring sur prises upon the Japanese. The authorities express satisfactio with the result of Rear -Admiral Yes ewes cruise, as the anticipated divisim of Vice -Admiral Togo's fleet .was. thu brought about, and the Japanese wil be hampered in carrying out their pros pects, which necesitate participation b their entire force. Failed Owing to Fog. Tokio, May L—The latest Japanes naval movements against Vladivostoc failed of success because of the dens that port. fogs which prevailed in the vicinity o eru end of Victoria avenue, the main street of Arnie, and with a wind from the south it spread, carrying everything before it, and in a few hours almost the entire length of the mein street was cleared, leaving only a few business houses at the 'northern end of the town. The buildings, being all wooden, made them an easy prey to the fiernee, despite the valiant efforts inade with hose and buckets. The fire started (no one knows how) in the rear of Chas. Richards' gen- eral store, and was not large when first discovered. Chemicals Failed, The chemical engine was on the spot n twenty minutes after the Are started, . and the windows were broken in to give • the hose play, but the chemicals did not work, and the broken windows made a tdill•aroftuglivillich soon sent the flames puffing the roof. The hose reel then y arrived, but there was so little pressure in the pipes that the stream was not sufficient to quench the flames. A south wind was blowing, and when the flames e reached the Vietoria, Hotel they threat - k ened the residential, part as well as e the business section, but the wind f changed slightly to the west, and, de- , creasing at the same time, it removed the danger from the residences, but the fire swept resistlessly with the Nvnid down Victoria avenue. From the start- ing point on the west side of Victoria avenue it burned a warehouse, the of- fices of Drs. Bonnell and Corson, a mil- linery and tailor shop, the Fernie drug store and then caught in the Victoria Hotel. From there it crossed Wads street to the Offices of the Crow's Nest Pass Coal and Coke Co. The next in line was the Crow's Nest Trading Co. store, including the post -office, then the three huildinei of the Trites, Wood Co., one of which contained the Opera House. It then caught in the Royal Hotel, which is the commercial hotel of Arnie.' KOUROPATKIN AT MUKDEN. — Russian Commander is With the Main • Forces. St. Petersburg, May 1.—Gen. Kouro- patkin is determined to have under him only those who can work intelli- gently and vigorously. Undesirable men are being sent back to. St. Petersburg. Some Red Cross nurses returned here to -day. Gen. Kouropatkin =Wed at Mukden this morning. Jap Prisoners. St. Petersburg, May 1.—A party of .150 Japanese prisoners, who were re- - cently removed to Tomsk from Vladi- 'restock, Harbin, Chita and Dalny, where they were when the war broke out., have been sent to the village of lsolpashevo, 200 miles distant. Antung Burned. Tokio, May 2, 11 a.m.—The Russians were forced to abandon Antpng yester- day, They burned the town and re- treated. to Feng -Wang -Cheng. The Japanese now control the estuary of the Yalu River. Second Lins of Defence. London, May 2.—A despatch to the Daily Mail from New-Chwang says that a stair officer informed tbe correspon- dent that the Russians are gathering great stores at Tieling, 40 miles north of Mukden, which place will be their principal base of supplies. Troops have been concentrated at Feng -Wang -Cheng, which is strongly fortified with earth- works and entrenchments. Ten thou- sand infantry, 500 Cossacks and a bri- gade of artillery are there. Coal is being husbanded on the railway, wood being used instead. At Lake Baikal. • Berlin, May I.—A telegram from Tiajin'Siberia, dated yesterday, says that traflic across Lake Baikal is en- tirely suspended owing to the strong flow of ice during the past four days. Was Antung Burned? London, May 2.—The Japanese lega- tion gave out to -day an official despatch from the Admiralty at Tokio, reporting an engagement between Japanese war- ships on the Yalu and Russian shore batteries. It read as follows: "The cap- tain of the gunboat Maya reports that a flotilla consisting of the gunboats Maya and Uji and some torpedo boats, ascended the Yalu, May 1, and bombard- ed the forts. While they were return- ing the enemy's artillery suddenly at- tacked the torpedo boats. The latter silenced the enemy after a severe en- gagement lasting thirty minutes, and the flotilla all returned to Yongampo. There were no casualties. 'Our armed launches reached Antimg the same morning and repulsed the en- emy's infantry and artillery after thirty minutes of sharp fighting. Fire was seen rising from the town, and a native says that the enemy fled from Antung after setting fn.° to it." Battleship Ran Aground. St. Petersburg, May 2.—The new Rus 211 battleship Orel, to which the finish - g tonehes are being put, ran aground 1 a sandbank in the Nevay yesterday. le icebreaker Ermak has been sent mu Cronstadt to assist the tugs in tiling her off. Ressians Entrenching. Tien-Tsin, May 2.—Two bemired Rus- sios are entrenching* themselves on the Liao River, three miles from Sin Min Time, employing Chinese laborers. Sin hfin Tung 50 two ThilOS from Kottpang- Tse, A permanent Russian camp. A de- tachment of 180 men is patrolling the railroad line. Germaii-Built War Vessels. Iletlin, May 2,—Eduard Bernstein, it member of the Reichstag, begins the ' publication to -day of it new Socialist weekly entitled Das Nene Montagsblatt. Herr Bernstein prefixes his editorial (Allem with the following questions: "Is it known to the German Government that torpedo boats and destroyers for the Russian Government are being built nt one of the largest Gernum shipyarde? Is it known to the Government that in order to disguise this breach of neutral- ity the several parts of the VOSS& e170 exportea as half linishee mitunfaetures, and put together in Libau, Ruesitt? Is it finally known that the building of these War vessels is so urgeet thist, the• • work proeeetIS from 5 xt.m. to 0 p.m.1" RUSSIAN VEDS1011. A SCREEN OF FIRE. Behind It Yaps Sewed Mines at Port Arthur. Port Arthur, May 1.-4btails of the clemonsrtation off Port Arthur on April 27 diseloses the nesperate ingenuity of the Japanese. Their squadron set afloat string-conneeted raft tarrying burn- ing materials. About 1.40 &dock in the nothing, when five miles off shore, the combustibles were fired, the wind And waves bringing the burning floats to- wards the harbor. Under cover of 0113 AtTOOO of fire eight Japanese torpedo boats, towing a Windt filled with mince, slipped around to tt spot near where the Petropavlovsk WWI sunk, bet they were detected by Russian seardilights. The batteries opened fire and drove the Japanese ships off, but not haw ar linen sae boon POWO. The Mines lutve Ointe been destroyed. The Japanese, knowing that the Bus- RIAU would intercept Wireless mes- sages, tried a neat triek to deeeiVe arid Worry Viceroy Alexia'. For several nights ilx succession they sent by wire. St. Petersburg Despatch Minimises the Po Victory. fit, Petersburg, May 2. --At 2,30 this afternon the Assoeiated Press was in -1 formed that beyond the fact of the re. Bank of Commerce Gone. Loss Half a Million. Among, the business houses saved were the Free Press, Northern, Central and Roma Hotels, Sheppard & Elliott's hard- ware'and Bobbins' furniture. Six hotels and Christ Church are burned. Nearly the whole of six blocks were burned, and no correct estimate can yet be formed as to the extent of the damage. The fire burned slowly owing to no wind and it rain storm. Much property was saved and piled in immense heaps on the com- mons. The damage may reach $500,000. Groceries and Dry Goods. Every grocery and dry goods stave was burned. From there the fire leaned across Cox The following stores were among street and took in the Canadian Bank of those burned: Richards & Com any, gen- eral; Hazlewood & Sudaby, ruggists; Commerce and the Cuthbert block, after Mitchell & Co., tailors; Crows' Nest which it was gat under control before crossing a vacant lot. The fire had Trading Co., general; The Trites, Wood crossed from the starting point to the uo., general; Cuthbert & Co., frniterers; east' side of Victoria avenue, first de- Purdy & Co, fruiterers, etc.; Beasdell, strOying the Muskat° Hotel and a cot- druggist; Stork' hardware; J. D. Quail, trige. It went down the east side, tak- hardware; McEwing & Slinn, bakers; ing on its way Purdie's confectionery Hutchinson. tailor; Liphardt, jeweller; parlors, the Fernie Hotel. Bleasdell's Burns & Co., butchers; Calgary Cattle Quail's hardware and furniture store, Co., butcbers. g hotels were destroyed: drug store, Stork's plumbing shop, The followin Senkbeil's she store and Liphardt's The Royal, Alberta, Fernie, Muskat°, jewelry store. Leaping another street, Victoria and Waldorf. The drow'e Nest Pass Coal Company's it went on, taking Burns' meat shop, two jewelry stores and a clothing store, offices, Bank of Commerce and the Eng- lish Church were also burned. where it was finally stopped, back from the main stret on Pellatt and Railroad i Something About the Place. avenues. There were burned the Turner ! Fernie is a prosperous mining town block, containing the Calgary Cattle of anent ;vial population, . tne met Co's. meat market, the Episcopal Church. fou,,usu 'Lie tue crow's Nest Coal 'Go. af- the Alberta Hotel, the store of the Pol- ter the construetion of the railway that lock Wine Co., Louis Carosella's general opened up the great coal deposits of store and other buildings, including a East Kootenay: The town occupies a great many warehouses. Only half it narrow valley between two high mount - dozen business buildings remain at the ains, the mining being carried on from end of Main street, including the British tunnels run into the side of the mount - Columbia Furniture Co., Sheppard & ains. This necessarily meant the crowd- Eliott's hardware store and the Fernie ing of the houses into somewhat narrow Free Press office. space. The railway runs through the Heart of the Town Burne& centre of the valley, and there are sev- The charred space, upon which not a eral hundred coke ovens used to turn building remains, is a quarter of a, mile out fuel for the smelters at Northport, long arid two hundred yards wide. The Trail and other points. treat of the Rusians before the over- whelming superiority of the Japanese on the Yalu River, no details -have been received since the report of Gen. Sus - sent& (commander of the Second Si- berian army corps), yesterday of the retiretnnt from , Kulien-Cheng to An- tt•IT1 1121.e whole, according to the hest infor- mation obtainable, did not exceed 17,000 men. What was the actual force engaged is not known at present, though prob- ably it was not more than 5,000 men, if it was so large. No confirmation has yet been received of the reported cap- ture of 28 Russian quick -firing guns, or of the wounding of Gen. Sassulitch and Gen. Kaslitalinsky, or of the burning of Antung. It is donfirmeti that it village of thatched huts was set on fire by a shell. The statement that the Russians have fallen back so far as Feng Wang Cheng is deeltired to be untrue. The ad- vance guard has retired and will eon- tinue to retire before the main army of the enemy, according to the Russian pro- gramme, but it will keep in &instant touch with the enemy, and skirmishing of a, more or less serious character is ex- pected as Gen. Kuroki aclvencee. At the Army. headquarters here there is nob the slightest evidence that the Russians consider they have sustained it reverse, The crossing of the Yalu by the enemy Was Micen as a matter of course, and as part of the programme. Lacked Husband, She Suieided. TO STOP PETER'S PENCE. Rome Authorities Considering a Plan to Equalize Burden. Borne, May 2.—A commission of car- dinals is now devising it plan to do away with the uncertainties of the contribu- ' tions received from every part of the world asi Peter's pence, and to eaualize in proportion to tile income of the churches the amounts contributed. France has nearly ceased to subscribe for the expenses of the church, and It- aly's, Austria's, and Spain's contribu- tions are so insignificant that almost the whole burden of supporting the central authorities of Rome falls upon the Cath- olics of the United States and other Eng- lish speaking countries. The plan is to obtain yearly from the Bishop of each diocese a detailed state- ment of the total income of his distriet, together with the estimated inome of each parish, convent, monastery or reli- gious institution in his territory. It is planned to iinpose a small percentage of tax, proportioned to the income of eack diocese, which in turn shall levy upon each of its ecclesiastical institution. REMAINS OF A mAmmoTH. ••••••••.011 An Intereeting Discovery on Quartz Creek, Yukon. Vancouver, 11. 0., May 2.---- Word has just 001130 from Dawson that Governor Baltimore, April $9. ----Driven to de- F. G. Congdon, of the Yukon Territory, spondeney by financial troubles and un- paid a visit to the spot where gold suceessful efforts to seeure 2 uitable hunters recently discovered the huge re - husband, it lutnasome young woman, be- mains of a mammoth en Qtmrtz Creek- t•cveen 30 and 35 years old, tommitted Mr. Congdon found the tusks and skull suicide to -day by inlinling illmninating intact, and 8Vith them three ribs. it gas in it fitehionable boarding -lime. is expected that the remainder of the She deetroyed all loos of identilleit- skeleton may yet be found in the Vide, - tion before taking her life, leaving to ity. The parts already found are un - the police only her name and address damaged, ota it is hoped that when 111 AU advertisement as n clue. The ad- other sections of the fraine are gather. verilsoment read: ed. Up, the whole may be put together. "Refined widow, etroger, avishee lo The remains exaetly in the pay - met gentleman who will nssist lter fin- streak Of the gold -beating gtavele, two aneially. Object, friendship and ntatri- feet above bed rock and forty feet be- mony. I:42430." low the surface of the ground. The The endorsement on the eopy read pointe of the tusks extend upward, and "Miss Ames, 757 W. Fayette 'street." touch the upper layer of mak. The name is believed to be fictitious. It is argued Mat, Int the skeleton lieu OS no am+ name is knotint at that, in the gold -bearing gravels, the animal house. At another plate where she muet have died ages ago, fit the time the sttlyed she gave the name of Olive Mans- auriferous deposits were being ?Vide, It field, end MO of tile boarders thought My be that the animal Antedated the elm tame from Boeton, gold deposits, but the fact that two The young %MOO WAR very hand- feet of the gold graves le beneath thO 801110 and hail brown hair and large bones and mu& of it above would MOM brown eyes. Her hands Makatea that to indicate that both belong to one age elle IVO ututetustoftte4 to ‚ivork or period.