Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1904 — CZAR LOSES SOME MORE WARSHIPS [ARTICLE]

CZAR LOSES SOME MORE WARSHIPS

Cruiser Boyarin Blown Up in Same Manner as Was Torpedo Transport ALL ON BOARD REPORTED LOST Japanese Naval Officials Talk of Still Another Engagement Off Port Arthur—Evans on Watch. Seoul, Feb. 18.—'Die report that 3,DOO Russian troops had arrived at Chin-Tien-Chong, opposite Wiju, on the Yalu river, is confirmed, as is the report that the Russians have occupied Wiju itself. They have 2.000 troops at Wiju and the first collision is expected somewhere in that vicinity. London, Feb. 15.—The Daily mail’s Port Arthur correspondent under date of Feb. 12, says: "Official advices state that the Japanese landed 600 soldiers near Talien Wan with disastrous results, 410 being sabred by Cossacks. The remainder escaped to their ships. It is further stated that the Japanese landed at Dove bay, where thirty of them were killed and the remainder retreated.

Sasabo, Japan, Feb. 18.—The opinion of Japanese naval officers here is that a third fight has occurred off Port Arthur, some of the Russian war vessels having been reported as leaving that place. Che Foo, Feb. 18. —The Port ArthurChe Foo cable was cut yesterday. Washington, Feb. 18. —The Japanese legation has received from the foreign office at Tokio the following dispatch, giving details of the torpedo attack at Port Arthur on the morning of the 14th. “On the 13th of February a detachment of torpedo boat destroyers proceeded, braving the fierce north storm, towards Port Arthur. At 3 o’clock the next morning the Asagiri, a Japanese torpedo boat destroyer, amidst a shower of shells from the enemy’s fort and ships, torpedoed a Russian man-of-war, and further firing on the enemy's guard boat safely returned to it* headquartere. Another Torpedo Sent Home. “The Hay a tori, another Japanese torpedo boat destroyer, at 5 o’clock of the same morniDg,approached tothe mouth of the port, where she found two of the enemy's men-of-war, and in defiance of their tiring immediately torpedoed one of them with effective explosion and safely withdrew.” St. Petersburg, Feb. 17.—The Russian second-class cruiser Boyarin was blown up by a mine Feb. 13 in the same manner as was the Russian torpedo transport Yenisei. She had on board 197 officers and men. all of which, it is understood, were lost. The news is confirmed here from a private source. The Boyarin was 348 feet long,' 41 feet beam and 16 feet draught. She was of 3,200 tons displacement and her trial speed was 25 knots. Her armament consisted of six 4.7 inch guns, eight 1.8 Inch guns; two 1.4 inch guns, and three machine guns. She was also fitted with six torpedo tubes. The Boyarin was last reported as having taken part in the engagement of Feb. 9 at Port Arthur. Jap* Got Foothold in Manchuria.

It is officially admitted by the government that the Japanese have succeeded In obtaining a foothold in Manchuria and that the Russian force opposed to them has been unable to keep them back. The admission caused a profound sensation throughout the city. A semi-official telegram dated from headquarters of the viceroy at Port Arthur says the German cruiser Hansa, which had been sent to remove German subjects from Port Arthur, and which bad on board also a number of Russian women and children, had been fired upon by Japanese warships. The telegram reiterates the statement that three Japanese torpe-do-boat have been sunk in a night attack on Port Arthur, H*y'* Proposition I* “Practicable.” Information has been obtained at the foreign office that Secretary Hay’s proposition to limit the area of war operations is considered “practicable” and that a response will soon be forthcoming. Viceroy Alexieff is being consulted regarding the matter, and the authorities are doubtless awaiting an indication as to how the proposition will be received by Japan. The sympathetic reception given by the powers to Mr. Hay’s note and the representations the powers have made here baC* undoubtedly had a good effect upon official opinion and the Russian government shows a more friendly spirit toward the direct representations made by the United States. NAVAL BATTLE AT CHEMULPO Kory #f the Fight la Which the Variag aud Korietz Engaged. London, Feb. 16.—A Seoul dispatch dated Feb. 12 gives the following account of the battle off Chemulpo which resulted la the loss of the Russian cruiser Variag and the gunboat Korietz: During the night of Feb. 8 the Japanese bunded 1,300 men at Chemulpo,

•ad on the morning of the 9th three Japanese cruisers, four gunboatfc and eight torpedo boat destroyers, under command of Admiral Urlu, approached the harbor, but did not enter. The Korietz and Variag were lying in the harbor. The Japanese admiral gave them until noon to come out. Both Russian vessels cleared for action. All the Bhipping in the harbor was notified by Admiral Uriu to get out of the firing line. There was in the harbor also the British cruiser Talbot, the French cruiser Pascal, the Italian cruiser Elba and the United States gunboat Vicksburg. The Variag and Korietz got under way and steamed out of the harbor. The crew of the English waTsliip cheered them as they went out to fight. » When the Russians were four miles out the Japanese threw a shot across their bows, but they did not stop. Heavy firing then began on both sides. The Variag turned her broadside loose at 11:55 a. m. Then the Variag turned at right angles to the westward and steamed a short distance as if to make the beach, but was seen to suddenly turn again east and give the enemy her other broadside. The Japanese continued firing until 12:22, when the Variag was seen to be on fire near the stem. The Russian vessels then turned back toward the harbor and ceased firing. The Japanese followed almost to the entrance of the harbor, firing on the Variag, which had a heavy list to port and was evidently in a sinking condition. The Korietz was practically untouched. The Variag lost thirty men and seven officers killed, and forty-two wounded. Midshipman Niron was killed on the bridge. The firing was not very accurate, and the Variag was hit in only six places, but one shot struck her on the water-line amidships and wrecked one of her engines. The Korietz was abandoned at 3:30 p. m., her crew’ going on board the Pascal, and at 3:57 p. m. she blew up with a terrific explosion. The Variag was abandoned soon after, her officers deeming her situation hopeless. When the Russians anchored off the entrance to the harbor the British cruiser sent four hospital boats on board with a doctor and nurse. The United States gunboat Vickslmrg also sent three boats with surgical assistance. The Japanese casualties are not known, but it is rumored that one torpedo boat destroyer was sunk during the action. The Russian dead, with the exception of the midshipman, Count Xorin, who fell on the bridge, were locked up in the cabin when the Variag went down. Russian Hatred of Foreigner*. Ying-Kow, Feb. 17. —Threatening demonstrations have been made against the British gunboat Espiegle and the United States gunboat Helena by Russian soldiers, whose assaults upon and depredations against other foreigners continue. The civil administrator is making every effort to arrest the offenders and has assured Captains Barton and Sawyer and Consul Miller that full reparation will be made. The Eleventh Siberian regiment paraded at New’ Chwang Monday in full strength. The Russian authorities deny the report of the loss of Russian vessels near Wei-Hai-Wei. May Stir Up a Ruinpu*. Paris, Feb. 17. —A dispatch to The Figaro from St. Petersburg, timed 3:33 a. m. Tuesday, says: "It has been decided to hold the Russian squadron from the Mediterranean, now in the Red sea and bound for the far east, at Jibutil, French Somaliland, until further orders. Admiral Bojdsstwen6ki, chief of the marine staff, is going on to assume the naval command at Port Arthur. The stopping of the Russian squadron at Jibutil may lead to international complications. Jibutil being a neutral French port. Tt is understood that France is not likely to ask the squadron to leave.” Six Hundred Ru»stan* Perish. Berlin, Feb. 17.—The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Tagliehe Rundschau says that 600 Russian soldiers have been frozen to death while marching across Lake Faikal, eastern Siberia. The correspondent adds that the temporary railroad across the lake is not yet completed; that a large detachment of troops wAs sent on a twentytwo mile march over the Ice covered lake, and that it is supposed that part of these troops lost their way in a snowstorm and perished. Mother and Daughter Perish. Youngstown, 0., Feb. 18. —Mrs. Lottie Garwood, a teacher in the public schools, lost her life at an early hour Wednesday morning while trying to rescue her 7-year-old daughter, Alva. The child was suffocated. During the night the natural gas which had been low during the day, came on in full force, setting the house on fire. Mrs. Garwood left the house but returned to rescue the child. Jap* Capture Commercial Steamer*. Tokio, Feb. 17.—The Japanese have captured at least five commercial steamers since Saturday by small cruisers and gunboats. Some of the steamers are rich prize*. The Japanese have intercepted the British steamer Coptic, bound from San Francisco for Port Arthur, and have taken off the provisions purchased in America by the Russian government. Jo P«o Got* More Cruiser*. Yokohama, Feb. 17. —The cruiser Nlassin arrived safely at Yokosaka at 9 o’clock'Tuesday morning and the cruiser K a sage at 11 o’clock. These two vessel* recently purchased from the Argentine republic, will increase materially the preponderance of the Japanese naval strength. Jopooooo Soldier* May Trover*# Korea. Seoul, Feb. 17. —The Korean government has granted Japan the right to traverse the country. It i* reported that Japanese warships have trapped three Russian ships st Yongampho.