Indianapolis Journal, Volume 54, Number 42, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 February 1904 — Page 1

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL.

WEKKLT KPT DAll.Y KSTAPI. SJ VOJ,. LIV. NO. 42 INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 11, 1 904 TWELVE PAGES. PRICK 2 CENTS. J ON RATI. WAT TRAXMS FIVE rENTS DOHALD SAFE BEHIND

MAS AMPHO SEIZED; TO BE MA DE NA VA L BA SEB YJA PA A ESE Important Strategic Point in the Korean Channel Which Will Be Fortified and Garrisoned by a Large Military Force ' SEOUL OCCUPIED BY THE J A PAX ESE

t Mam

BARS AI REFORMAT SAYS HEjS INNOCENT Alleged Slayer of Sarah C. Schäfer Taken from Bedford to Jcffersonville. DISPLAYS MUCH NERVE

Waives Right to Speedy Hearing, and Will Remain in Prison Till Feb. 29. PRISONER'S STATEMENT

Evidence on W hich Warrant Was Issued for His Arrest Excitement at Bedford. Staff Correspondence f the Journal. JEFFERSONVILLE. Ind.. Feb. 10.Jarri h .McDonald, alius William Parson, or as he claims it in, William Parsons, alias James McDonald, the Bedford teamster arrested for the murder of Sarah Catherine Schäfer, is safe behind the walls and bars of the Indiana Reformatory, confined !n a "solitary," closely guarded and In comnunication with no one save the officers who brought him here and Superintendent "Whlttaker and Assistant Superintendent Barnard. McDonald protests his Innocence of the terrible crime with which he is charged, admits that he was brought into the affair by his own folly, a desire for notoriety having led him to make untrue statements to the members of the Bedford board of Inquiry and says that while he is not afraid to go back to Bedford he is perfectly willing to remain here and behoves that such a course would perhaps be best under the circumstances. An important development in tho case since the arrival of the prisoner at the Reformatory was his claim that his right name is William Parsons, instead of James McDonald, the name under which he was arrested. This he revealed to the officers who brought hina here, giving them at the same time a brief story of his life. The officers with the prisoner, arrived at the Reformatory soon after 7 o'clock this morning, coming via the Monon to New Albany and taking the Pennsylvania dinkey to this place. The prisoner was hustled Into the Reformatory with little ceremony and the officers. Mayor J. Hickson Smith, Sheriff Smith and Detective Reed, gave Superintendent Whlttaker the commitment papers on which they asked that the man be held here until Feb. 29. The prisouer was taken at once to a solitary cell in the hospital building and placed under a close guard, and then the officers went into conference with Superintendent Whlttaker. while the small army of newspaper correspondents and artists began lajing their plans for securing Interviews, sketches and pictures of the accused. These plans were quickly frustrated by the announcement of the superintendent that no one would be permitted to see the prisoner and that uo picture would be taken of him. "While the mau is here on a serious charge." said Mr. Whlttaker. "we shall treat him on the assumption that he is innocent." QUESTION RAISED. A question was at once raised whether McDonald can be kept here until Feb. 29. The commitment, which Is signed by Mayor J. Hickson Smith, fellows: "State of Indiaua, Lawrence county, S. S ' To the Superintendent of the Indiana Reformatory. Greeting: "Whereas. James McDonald, of said county, has been arrested on the oath of James M. Myers. on a charge of murder in the first degree and has ben brought before me. J. Hickson Smith, mayor of the city of Bedford. Ind.. for trial, which trial has been necessarily continued until the 29th day of February. 1904, therefore. I command you In the name of the State to receive the said James McDonald into your custody in the Indiana Reformatory at Jeffersonvllle, Clarke county, and therein confine him until discharged by law and to let no person or persons confer or converse with him unless by order. of the court." The question raised was as to whether the hearing before Mayor Smith could have been a legal preliminary hearing on the murder charge and whether the mayor had the authority to commit the prisoner to the Reformatory until Feb. 29. It was suggested that unless McDonald were taken back to Bedford for a regular preliminary within forty-eight hours after his arrest he might secure his release here by instituting proceedings of habeas corpus. Superintendent Whlttaker at once communicated with the office of the attorney general in Indianapolis for advice as to his course. He was informed that a question muht be raised as to the mayor's authority and that to be on the safe side he should a-k McDonald to consent to remain here. This consent Mr. Whlttaker promptly secured, the prisoner stating that while he was not afraid to go back to Bedford he thought it might be best to remain here for a few days and was p. rr'eetly willing to remain. THE PRISONER'S STORY. McDonald told the Bedford officers who brought him here a brief story of his life as an accompaniment to his protestations of innocence of the murder of Sarah C. Schäfer. Briefly epitomized and put in what were substantially his own words the story is as follows: "My right name is William Parsons, although I am known to some people by the name of Jams McDonald. My mother's name was McDonald nnd 1 have two uncles of that name. I livt-d with my uncle. Martin McDonald, in Benton. 111., after I was fourteen years old. having lived up to that time in the Soldiers' orphans' Home at Normal. EIL I am twenty-nine years old. 1 have two sisters. Mrs. Ida Robinson, of 1214 Rock Road. St. I- iis. .m l Mr- Mar Kftus. of Taylorville. 111. I went to Bedford in 189. married Mary Greer, a widow. In No ember, liC. ami was married under my right name of Parsons. I have been a drinking man. but have not touched a drop Since Jan. 17. "So far as the crime with which I am charged is OOBCSrncd, 1 am as innocent as a man could be. but i have done wrongs in my Ii f and if 1 get forgiveness for them 1 don't care what biossjsi of me In this esse. I got Into this through rny own foolishness. I made false statements before the court of inquiry. I can't explain why I did It. but I supMse It was because I wanted to make people think 1 knew something about tin murder. I know absolutely nothing about the crime, The nearest 1 was to the place where Miss Schafer was murdertd was over half a block away, at the doctor's office. I did njt see hT that night, never did fee h r and did not know there was such a woman li Ifik. I am not afraid to go back to Bedford, rar I know 1 am Innocent. I do not care about Koin buck, thoimh. and maybe it would be more sensible for me to stay here." DOES NOT AI'I'BsVa tO Wi.iiKV. M Don ild sustains his declaration of nerve with a courageous demeanor, according to the officers, and does not appear greatly worried over the position he 1 in. He manifested no dsir to avt an sttorney to look after Ml interests and seemed rather to rely implicitly on Sheriff Smith and to it 1 that the further investigate ps of the sheriff would result in his vindication of :h, Mtotl charge. After ieuving McDonald at the Reforma(CONTINUED UN PAGE 9, C'jL. U

JAMES M' DONALD. Alias William Parsons. Now under Arrest on the Charge of the Murder of Sarah Schäfer.

SENATOR

HANNAS HU

IS THE DOCTORS CONCERN Otherwise the Condition of Their Patient Is Practically Unchanged. IIIS HEART ACTION GOOD New Kind of Nourishment Fear that Complication Might Result Fatally. WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-Scnator Hanna's condition remains practically unchanged. The restlessness which fatigued him last night has been followed by periods of comparative quiet and sleep during the day and the irritability of the stomach has again partially yielded to treatment. The physicians say that no complications have developed. It is this feature of the case that the physicians are guarding zealously against, as they believe that if any complications develop in the senator's distressingly weak condition the result may be fatal quickly. The doctors are not yet able to predict with any certainty when the crisis in the ease will occur. All they know for certain is that the senator now has had the fever continuously for eleven days, and the disease, they say, generally runs Its course in three or four weeks. The doctors say they are satisfied with the progress of the case, although they do not conceal their apprehension that unforeseen complications may occur at any time. Professor Osier, the Baltimore diagnostician, made a very thorough examination of the senator during the afternoon and at its conclusion remarked to one of those at his bedside that his heart's action was splendid. The senator's other vital organs were also working well with the exception of the stomach. A new kind of nourishment was given to the senator during the day in addition to the milk diet and it is said that he retains most of it. During the afternoon he slept about three hours. He is always rational and seems anxious to converse, although every effort is made to keep him as quiet as possible. The senator's brother, H. M. Hanna, who spent a good part of the day in the sick room, said to-night it was the best day the senator hud had since Sunday. The following is the doctor's evening bulletin, given out at 7 o'clock: "Mr. Hanna's temperature at 6 p. m. was 100 2-10, pulse, M; respiration. 24. There has been some irritability of the stomach. Otherwise the symptoms are favorable and there are no complications." The bulletin issued at noon reads as follows: "At 12 o'clock Senator Hanna was resting quietly. Temperature, 100 8-10; pulse, 97; respiration. 23. He was a little more restless during the night, but slept quietly at intervals. There are no complications and his general condition continues good." CZAR'S CRACK BAA D CANCELS ENGAGEMENT ST. LOriS. Feb. lO.-Dr. George H. Stewart, manager of the bureau of music of the world's fair, received a cablegram to-day from Hon. Serge W. Alexandrovlsky. Russian commissioner general to the world's fair, stating that owing to the war between Russia and Japan the band of the Imperial guard would not be sent to St. Louis. The hand of the imperial guard is the Czar's favorite organisation, composed of the elite of the Russian army. CORONER'S INQUEST ON PERE MARQUETTE WRECK Train Dispatcher Marzchoff Not Certain that his Red Light Was Burning at the Time. HE SET IT BY LEVER GRAND RAPIDS. Mich.. Feb. 10. The coroner's inquest to determine responsibility for the collision of two fast juissenger trains on the P re Marquette Railroad, at East Paris. Dec. y. when twenty-two persons lost their lives, was begun here today. It was reported after the accident by the railroad officials that the wind blew out the red signal light In the order board at McCord's Station, allowing the west bound train to run by when it should have stopped for orders, that would have prevented the collision. A. T. Marzchoff, the dispatcher at Plymouth, testified to-day that he sent the order to L. N. Booth, the agent at McCords, and the latter answertd that it had been received and the light set against the westbound train. Agent Booth, when he took the stand, testified that he received the order all right, and Immediately turned the I ver which sets the light on the order board in front of the station. He admitted that he did not go out on the platform to see if It was lighted, but reported It to the dispatcher a: set after merely turning the lerer. In answer to a question as to the precautions he usually took when he was ord n d to Hag a train ut his station he said that if he had time he usually took out a red lantern and waved it. til 1-11 nrt Man liosen. DES MOINES. la.. Feb. 10. An antilie., rst man. i. W, Culllson. of Harlan, was selected temporary chairman of the Democratic Slate eonv.-ution. which will I held in De? Moines May 4. The deciMm was reported here this afternoon by the Democratic State central committee.

STOMACH

CAUSING

RUSSIA and JAPAN (to POSTOFFICE LOOTED 81 BURGLARS, WHO ESCAPED Safe Blown to Pieces and Everything of Value Carried Off by Cracksmen. BLOODHOUNDS ON TRAIL Special to the Indianapolis Journal. ORLEANS, Ind.. Feb. 10.-The postofflce at this place was entered this morning by burglars and robbed of everything of value. The safe was blown open and completely wrecked, pieces of it being blown through two walls and Into a store adjoining. The furniture directly in front of the sate was badly damaged. The burglars secured about $255 in money and $165 in stamps. The denominations were from 13 cents to SI. Not a penny or a postage stamp was lett for tho office to do business with. Two registered packages were taken. One of these contained a check for $40 and was thrown on the Moor, where it was found. The other contained a parcel of Jewelry, and this, too, was found in the debris. The burglars effected an entrance by breaking out the glass In the front door, wh?re the lock was easily turned. Besides the money and stamps stolen, the damage to the office fixtures was about $2f"0. The furniture was nearly new and was of modern type. The explosion was heard by a number of people, but no one thought of burglars. Bloodhounds were brought here from New Albany and put on the trail. They followed the trail to Mitchell, five miles north, where it is thought they boarded a train and escaped. Postmaster Kimbley has wired the police in towns and cities around to look for the robbers. "ROBBERY OF THE ASH GROVE POSTOFFICE Special to the Indianapolis Journal. LAFAYETTE, Ind., Feb. 10. Unknown thieves entered the postoffice and general store at Ash Grove, ?ix miles north of here, on the Monon Railway, late last night and scaped with 1250 tauen from the safe, besides a quantity of stamps and a number of knives and other merchandise from the store. H. G. Keim, the postmaster, discovered the robbery early to-day and notified the local authorities. Policemen were smt to watch Monon trains but no OIMCÜI were found. The robbers used no dynamite, but pried open the safe with jimmies. GLOVER A FREE MAN. Court Ruled He Could Not Be Tried Twice for Same Offense. CRIPPLE CREEK. Col., Feb. 10. The case against John M. Glov r. formerly congressman from Missouri, tor having shot at Sergeant Smith, was dismissed to-day in the District Court here on the ground that the accused could not be tried twice for the same offense. CUBAN LOAN TO AWAIT BETTER MONEY MARKET Eastern War, Baltimore Fire and Other Causes Contribute to Prevent Its Present Flotation. WILL BE ISSUED LATER HAVANA, Feb. 10. The Associated Press is informed by a person of undoubted authority that the $35.(m0.0ü0 Cuban loan will not be floated until the monetary conditions are more favorable than they are at the present moment. President Palma and the secretary of the treasury were practically so informed at a conference held at the palace this evening, at which were present representatives of the National City Bank. of New York, the Kuhn. Loeb & Co. syndicate. Speyer Bros, and other banking institutions interested in the matter. The fact that the loan Is not to be floated at the present time is not regarded as a r tl tkm on Cuba's credit, but as due solely to the war situation in the far East, the effect in Wall stritt Umlag out of the Baltimore lire and other current causes. When the situation becomes normal it is expected the Cuban bonds will be sold without, difficulty. STRIKE OF RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION MEN WILMINGTON. N C. Feb. 10.-Members of the International Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way, employes in the service of the Atlantic Const lane Railway Company, have been called out on a strike, to become effective at noon to-morrow. The employes claim to have a written agreement from at least 96 per cent, of their number to suspend work if certain demands in h- way of increased w :tg s and a change in regulation of their work are not complied with. The order will affect between four and five thousand brldgemen, section foremen and hands, construction forces, etc.

Korea): "Now remember that you

WEATHER MAN PEARS A JOHNSTOWN-LIKE FLOOD If Ice Gorge in the Susquehanna Breaks Much Damage May Result. FLOOD AT OTHER POINTS HARRISBURG. Pa., Feb. 10. Local Weather Observer Romain said to-night that if the ice gorge in the Susquehanna river above Sunbury broke suddenly there would be a repetition of the Johnstown flood, although the damage will not be so great heraus, of ample warning. The river In this city is at a stage of nine feet owing to the flood from the gorge which broke on Sunday, the ice of which has been passing in a continuous sheet. Lowlands Again Flooded. "WILKES BARRE, Pa.. Feb. 10. Although the water in the Susquehanna river has fallen eighteen inches in this city since last night the situation is practically the same this evening. The last State measurement taken at S o'clock shows the water to be a ter mark The ice from the Chemung river has reached lur,. and to-night to blocked between here and Nanticoke. I li Jamming along both sides of the bank nn ,ur h backwater to how again Sverthe "owlanda. Residents Warned to Flee. STROUDSBDRG. Pa.. Feb. 10.-The ice gorge in the Delaware river has broken at the Delaware water gap and warnings have been sent to residents along the river The dam is about eight miles in length extending from the gap to above Shawnee. At some points the Jam Is eight feet high. POPE PIUS X GRANTS DECREE OF DIVORCE DETROIT, Mich., Feb. 10.-Arthur R. Gaukler, of this city, has been granted an ecclesiastical decree of divorce from Marion Loomis, of Chicago, by Pope Pius X, after his application had been denied by the Chicago archepteeopal court. Rev. Father Paart, of Marshall, Mich., who was Gaukler' s advocate before the Chicago church court, and who appealed the case to Rome, has received notice that the Propaganda decided, Jan. 19, that Gaukler was entitled to his freedom. The couple have been legally divorced for over two years. They were married in Chicago Feb. 11. 1901. The couple lived together but a sho-t time and their divorce proceedings were highly sensational. The case was first tried by the church authorities in Chicago in August. 1901. with Rev. N. J. Mooney as judge. The Chicago court sustained the marriage. Rev. Dr. Haart, the advocate for Gaukler, took the case to the Cincinnati church court on appeal, where the decision of the Chicago court was not sustained. The ease was then sent to Rome for final decision. OSWEGO IS VISITED IT . A MILLION-DOLLAR FIRE Starch Works and Corn Products Plant Burning, with Thousands of Bushels of Grain. AID FROM OTHER CITIES OSWEGO. N. Y.. Feb. 11. The huge starch factory of the Corn Products Company, consisting of three great buildings, forming the largest establishment of the kind in the world, is threatened with destruction by fire which started Wednesday afternoon in the chemical room. One of the buildings has been destroyed and at midnight the second building was ablaze and the tire entirely beyond control. It Is feared that the flames will spread to the Columbia flouring mills and Kingsford's office and ma It house. After the city tire department and the volunteer .! partim nt of Kingsford's mills had tried in vain to cope with the flames. Mayor Mansfield telegraphed for aid to Fulton and Syracuse. From the latter citythree engines and twenty-live men were dispatched and joined their efforts to those of the local department. Firemen Dougherty and Evans have been injured. th former fatally, by a fall from a roof. Twenty-five nun at work in the buildings wnere the tire started barely escaped The burning buildings contain manv hundreds of thousands of bushels of "starch and corn. Six hundred employes are thrown out of work. At 2: o clock this morning the flames were under control, being confined to the one building. The loss will be over jl.OOO.ouu. IROQUOIS VICTIMS, 575; LITTLE GIRL IS DEAD CHICAGO. Feb. 10. The ten-year-old daughter of William Clingen died to-day of injuries received In the Iroquois Theater lire, making the 575th victim of that catastrophe, according to the coroner's records.

re ?iot in this; you're neutral."

CHINA'S INTEGRITY WILL BE ASSURED BY ACTION OF THEJNITEO STATES Diplomatic Move of the Utmost Importance to the Civilized World. SECRETARY HAY'S PLAN Declaration of American Neutrality to Be Made To-Da All Powers United. WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. Russia to-day invited of the United States a decdaration of her neutrality in the far Eastern situation. Secretary Hay to-night sent the draft of the declaration of our neutrality to the President for his signature and it will be issued from the State Department tomorrow. Having received enough favorable replies to Insure the concurrent action of European powers in his endeavor to localize within as small an area as possible the hostilities in the far East and to insure over as much I of China as possible her neutrality. Secretary Hay to-night addressed notes to Russia and Japan inviting their co-operation in this endeavor and announcing that the Dulled States stood stalwartly for this principle. It was known in advance that both the combatant powers desire the localization of the war. In the present period of the negotiations State Department officials find it inexpedient to discuss the various steps which led up to the issuance of the note, but from a diplomat whose government, while entirely neutral, is conversant with the progress of events, this statement was obtained tonight: "To Secretary Hay undoubtedly belongs the full credit for the initiation of this policy, which is the boldest step yet taken by any country for the preservation of the integrity of China. The Washington government, however, awaited a suggestion from another power before issuing the circular note. Germany called the attention offne United States to the desirability of limiting the hostilities to the two combatant powers. Among my confreres the belief is general that Germany acted with the knowledge of Russsia, but of this 1 am not certain. ATTITUDE OF COMBATANTS. "In this connnection it should be remembered both Russia and Japan are most anxious to confine hostilities to themselves, and in this they undoubtedly have the support ot my government and all the powers. It was impossible for Great Britain to make the suggestion and hope for its serious' consideration by Russia. France would have been disposed to regard with suspicion any such proposition coming from Germany and Japan would have hesitated to acquiesce in a like suggestion emanating from France. The United States was the only power that could take the initiative. This fact was called to the attention of the secretary during a call of the German ambassador on Monday morning last, shortly before Baron Sternburg left for New York. "Not only, however, has the secretary suggested the limiting of the zone of hostilities, but he has improved the opportunity to take another step toward preserving China's integrity. Examination of his note will show no reference whatsoever to the integrity of China, but certainly the neutralization of that country must contribute powerfully to the preservation of China's integrity and the maintenance of its administrative control. The note is general in character, and therein lies its greatest strength. Germany was the first to respond favorably. In the case of France it was necessary for that government to assure itself that there was nothing In the suggestion to which Russia might take exception." NOTE SENT TO ALL POWERS. After addressing Germany. Great Britain and France Secretary Hay sent the same note to other powers signatory to the peace protocol of 1900, including Austria-Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, and finally he addressed the combatants, Russia and Japan, inviting their co-operation in the support of the principle for which this government Storni. M. Jusserand. the French ambassador, had a long conference with Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador, to-day The note of Secretary Hay was discussed, and in the personal pinion of the two diplomats its humanitarian purpo.-e was approved. In diplomatic circles the f ling is stror.g that Russia will acquiesce in the suggestion both as to the limiting of hostilities and the neutralization of China when she has assured herself that there is no ulterior purpose involved. n the authority of a high ldmlnlstratlon official It can be stated (CONTINUED ON PAGE COL. 6.

Rich Prizes CapturedThree Transports and 2,000 R ussians Reported Taken Japan to Declare War Br idge Blown Up

TOKIO, Feb. lO. Japan arlced lnsampho on Sunday and dispatched a heavy- force there. Japan will fortify the port and establish a naval and military hafte there. Mmampho In an exceeding! important point, as it control the Korean channel nnd Im an excellent base for future operations. A formal declaration of war is expected soon. The proclamation ha been prepared and approved by the Cabinet. Forelnjn Minister Komura ban gone to the palace to secure the Emperor's approval. MNUMVs Feb. 11. The Shanabal correspondent of the Daily Mail nays an Important brldare on the Manchnrlan Railroad has been blown up and thirty men have been killed. Special dispatches from Tokio this mornlnK nunonnce the arrival of Japanese troops at Seoul. The Tien-Tsln correspondent of the Standard sends In a report that the Russians have massacred lOO Chinese at Loa-YntiK. In consequence of which the ollicinls at Shan-Kwan are greatly alarmed and are appealing- to Peking; for protection. Other dispatches from Tlen-Tsin say that 400 French troops have been ordered from there to Seoul for the protection of the French legation nt the Korean capital, the Emperor havinK taken refup-e there. These reports lack confirmation. JAPANESE FLEET MAY NOW BE AT MAS AMPHO CHEE-FOO, Feb. 10 Upon the withdrawal of the Japanese minister at St. Petersburg, the Japanaese fleet and transports proceeded to Masampho, which occupied, and the fleet then sailed for Port Arthur. The rest of the Japanese ships are guarding northern Japan, fenring that Russia might land a force from Vladivostock and for the further purpose of preventing four Russian cruisers from joining the Russian fleet at Port Arthur. Other Japanese war vessels are cruising to intercept Russian vessels coming from Singapore. The Ruslan battleships damaged at Port Arthur are the Peresviet, Czarevitch and Retvizan. The cruiser Boyarin was beached when the tide was falling and has not been floated and will be damaged, as a northern gale was blowing to-day. The Japanese fleet has probably retired to Masampho, and it is not known whether there was another attack on Tuesday night. General Tchlchikoff took command of the Russian troops at Manchuria to-day. GALE BODES ILL TO CRIPPLED WARSHIPS LONDON. Feb. 11. In a dispatch from Che-Foo dated Feb. 10 a correspondent of the Daily Mail says: "A northeast gale which is raging here bodes no good to the crippled Russian ships. "Complete demoralization reigns at Poit Arthur. "Advices received here from Kwartlng, Manchuria, say that 10,000 armed ('hinese, unofficially recognized as government troops, are operating in the district, and are expected to attack the railroad guards when they hear of the Russian disaster." RICH RUSSIAN PRIZES CAPTURED BY JAPANESE TOKIO. Wednesday. Feb. 10. The Japanese have captured at least five Russian commercial steamers, including the EkaterIntoslav, Mukden. Russia, Argun and Alexanrtfr Thfv were oantured hv tho .Tani aneso in Korean and adjacent waters at i various times since Saturday by small cruisers. Some of the steamers are rich prizes. The small steamer Koeik is detained at Yokohama, its status not being clear. LONDON. Feb. 11. -Dispatches to the Daily Mail from Tokio and Nagasaki dated Feb. 10 report the arrival at Saseho, Japan, of two large Russian steamers. One is the volunteer fleet association transport Ekatorinoslav, which recently landed troops and arms at Port Arthur, and th.other Is the steamer Argun, belonging to the Chinese Eastern Railway Company. Both were captured by the Japanese cruisers Sal-Yen and Hei-Yeu, in the neighborhood of Fusan. Korea. The Ekatorinoslav is of 10.000 tons displacement, and had been fitted up as an auxiliary cruiser. She had thirty rifles on board and was on her way from VladUostock. The Argun was going to Vladlvostock from Nagasaki. The Russian whalers Glorlge. Nieelai, Alexander and Michael, captured by the Japanese, have also arrived at Saseho. Humored t npture of Trniixporta. LONDON, Feb. 10 A special dispatch from Tokio, dated to-day, says that It is reported that three transports of the Russian volunteer fleet, conveying about 2,u00 troops, have been captured by the Japanese off the Korean coast. According to the official advices received

by Baron Hayashi only four battalions of Japanese troops have up to the present been landed at Chemulpo. Korea. REJOICING AT TOKIO Ol ER NAVAL VICTORY

TOKIO. Feb. 10 Undaunted by the absence of official confirmations. Japan is rejoicing over a great naval victory at Port Arthur. Early to-day came'a cabled report from the Japanese consul at Chec-Foo, saying that early Monday the Japanese torpedo boats destroyed three large Russian warships off Port Arthur. Thereafter Admiral Togo's fleet of sixteen warships engaged the entire Russian fleet remaining off the Port. The consul was unable to give the result of the main engagement, but said when the steamship Columbia passed the scene of action all of the Japanese warships were preserving their alignment and fighting vigorously and steadily and apparently uninjured. The newspapers here published extra editions containing news of the battle and produced the first popular demonstration of the war. Flags were raised everywhere and excited crowds thronged the streets. Later in the day came a cablegram from Paris saying that Viceroy Alexieff had reported to St. Petersburg that three ships had been injured by a torpedo attack. The news was accepted In official circles and transmitted to the palace. This, combined with the bottling and destruction of two ships at Chemulpo on Tuesday, stirred the populace to the highest enthusiasm and gave additional confidence as to the outcome of the war. Up to nightfall the Navy Department had not received any report from Admiral Togo or other dir t sources and was disinclined to aovpt unofficial statement, but was keenly anxious to learn the details of the result of the main engagement, although confident that Admiral Togo scored a sweeping victory. The department anticipates early advleea. If the Russian fleet is crippled or destroyed it is anticipated that an order to advance the army will be given promptly. The Mikado Is personally superintending affairs, and the Cabinet holds daily sessions. The government has issued orders for the protection of all Russian subjects res In Japan. Baron Kanako and Baron ßukematsu have been Eent to the United States and Great Britain to explain Japan's position and attitude in the present conflict. RUSSIAN FORCES SAID TO BE OVERESTIMATED LONDON, Feb. 11 The Peking correspondent of the London Times ascribes the habitual overestimation of the Russian foices in the far East to the claim (arising on the Boxer troubles) put forward by M. De Glers (then Russian minister at Peking) during the peace negotiations at Peking in 1100 for an indemnity of 17,900.000 on the ground that Rusisa had put 179,000 men in the field. It is now known, however, that the real number of these men was under 50,000. Continuing, the correspondent says an American military officer who has Just returned to Peking from a trip through Manchuria, made for the purpose of reporting on the situation there, declares that all the Russian officers he met in Manchuria professed to believe that war would bo averted. While he was at Port Arthur, on Jan. 31, the Russian fleet was hurriedly ordered to sea, but in getting out two vessels stuck fa3t in the mud of the shallow basin and were compelled to remain hind. ALENIEFF MOBILIZING RESERVES IN SIBERIA ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 10-Vlceroy Alexieff began to-day the mobilisation of the army reserves in eastern Asia. The publication of extra editions of the newspapers containing accounts of the reported injuries to Japanese ships during the Port Arthur engagements, and tha sinking of the Japanese battleship Shikinhima led to a demand upr the editors for the source of their information. They replied, "It came from the British embassy." These reports were received everywhere with manifestations of Joy, but nothing confirming them has come from i - : y Alexieff. The only additional intelligence the viceroy has sent up to this hour Is the names of the wounded officers, among whom wer Lieutenant Colon 1 Zaiontchkovsky, of the artillery corps, who was on board the transport Angora, and a midshipman on board the battleship S-bastopol. M. KU RING LEAVES RUSSIA FOR BERLIN LONDON. Feb. 10.-A dispatch to Ruter'a Telegraph Company from St. Petersburg says that M. Kurino. the retiring Japanese minister to Russia, and his staff hav. P ft there for Berlin. There was a large crowd of people at the station when the party boarded the train. Police and g ndarmes kept a space clear for the ti rs, and there was no hostile !emontrati r. M Kurino walked slowly to the train, holding in his hand a bowpn t of rosea which had been presented to Mm- Kurino by Mrs. McCormick. wife ot the 1'nlted States ambassador. A the train drew out of the staUon there were a few cheera ao4 cries of "Ing live Nicholas!" Continuing, the c rr spondent says an imperial ukase has h issued winch authorizes Viceroy Alexieff to mobilise the reserves within his vlceroyalty. CRUISER VARIAG IS SAID TO BE AT SASEBO SAN FRANCIS'). Feb. Ü.-A cablegram to the Associated Press from Nagaaaict states that the Russian cruiser Vari.tg. Whkh was rciKricJ to have b- -

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