Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1904 — JAPS GET YONGAMPO [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JAPS GET YONGAMPO

Occupation of Wiju Gives Mikado’s Men Undisputed Possession of the Port. RUSSIANS CROSS TALU RIVER When Japanese Scout* Enter Wtju They Find the Place Deserted— All Quiet at Port Arthur. Toklo, April s.—Russia’s losses in the skirmish at Kasan March 26 and in that at Chon-Ju March 28 reach 1,800, over 900 of these being killed or .wounded. The Japanese losses are reported as insignificant. Port Arthur, April 6.—There are no signs of the Japanese and there is no notable change in the situation. Grand Duke Boris has left Port Arthur to join the field force. Seoul, April 6. —The occupation of Wiju gives the Japanese undisputed possession of the port of Yongampo, at the mouth of the Yalu. With the river free from ice the gunboats of the mikado's fleet can protect the Japanese army while it is crossing the river. Army Move* on WIJn. Shanghai, April 6.—Advices from Seoul under date of April 1 say: “The Japanese first arrfiy, consisting of 45,000 men, including the imperial guard, and the second and twelfth

divisions, which had been concentratat Anju, Is moving on Wlju by three routes. It was the advance guard, composed of 450 Infantry and cavalry, which repulsed 600 Russians and occupied Cbong-Ju, sixty-five miles southeast of Wiju, March 28. Lieutenant Kato and four Japanese were killed on that occasion and 1 Captain Kurowaka and eleven men were wounded. The Russians had ten men killed. Horses In Bad Condition. '‘Supplies are being landed at HaiJa and Cbinnampo, and are also being taken by Junks up the Ching-Chien river to Anju. The horses, 5,200 to a division, were landed in bad condition. The necessity for leading each horse reduces the strength of the fighting force. Many of the soldiers are suffering from the effects of frozen feet. The Japanese are fortifying Fusan, southern Korea, and Konje island, off the southern coast, to defend Masampo. The Russians over-estimated the strength of the Japanese force at Anju and consequently retreated without making use of the natural advantages of the country to oppose the Japanese advance.” RUSSIANS QUIT WIJU Japanese Scents Enter the City and Find the Enemy Gone. Seoul, April 6.—Wiju has been abandoned by the Rcssians, who have retired across the Yalu river. A detachment of Japanese scouts entered the city at 1:30 Monday afternoon and found not a single Russian in the place. Wiju is one of the most important cities in northern Korea, situated near the mouth of the Yalu, almost opposite Antung. in Manchuria, and it had been supposed the Russians would make a strong effort to hold it. There ia now no Russian force of any size south of the Yalu. The landing of the Japanese at Chlnampo has now ceased. The troops have moved north from that port, which is amply guarded by a large fleet. The Japanese military base has been removed north from Ping Yang and now few troops are left there. All Qnlat at Vladivostok. Vladivostok, April 6.—The military situation is quiet. There is no evidence of the presence of the enemy in this region. The prices of the necessities of life are very high on account of the lack of provisions. Kerosene . is selling at $2 for a tin of twenty pounds. ' * No Japanese In Manchnrla. St Petersburg, April 6.—Major General Pflug telegraphs from Mukden under Monday’s date, denying the reports of Japanese operations in Manchuria and stating that there are no Japanese troops in Manchuria. Japs Get Cargo of Beef. Paris, April 6.—lt is reported that a. Russian transport with a cargo of tinned meat on her way to Vladivostok and sailing under the Chinese flag was captured by Japanese cruisers and taken to Niigata. Notes of the War. A St Petersburg dispatch says the Baltic fleet will leave for the Far East not later than July 15. Advices from Kobe, Japan, via Shanghai, say that the mikado baa 260,000 troops In motion and 60,000 mobilised. Am.: • notion with the Russian is repot uv. uom Seoul, the Japs repulsing the Russians, killing forty and capturing many. Japanese loss, thirty. This is a Jap story.

VIEW OF FUSAN BAY.