THE SUNDAY OEEGOHIAU, PORTLAND, MAT i, 19W.
fl
RUSH ON TO' YALU
Japanese force of 100,000
Cross Rapidly.
SERIOUS FIGHTING IS NEAR
Russians Repose a Blind Faith in the
Strategy of Kuropatkln, and Inti
mate Enemy May Find Itself
in a Trap.
ST. PETERSBURG, May L All news
from the front Indicates that the armies
of General Kurokl and General Okl, com
prising about 100,000 men, are being rapid
ly numbed forward and will be thrown
across the Yalu as speedily as possible.
Japanese transports have also nppeared
at tha mouth of the river and, supported
hy a few warships, will assist In the op
erations.
The Japanese seem to be following
closely the tactics pursued by them dur
ing the Chlno-Japanese war, having al
ready occupied Kulien Cheng, above An
tung, where they crossed In 1895. The
beginning of serious land fighting is con
sidered to be not far distant, although a
heavy movement of troops may not begin
for several days, notwithstanding the
Japanese are crossing at several places
above "Wlju.
It Is believed that the Japanese antici
pated more resistance on the Talu than
they met with, xmd for ihls reason their
armies were not in a position to cross at
tho moment the advance forced a pas
sage. "With the advance body some guns
were hurried over and the Japanese out
posts were entrenched.
Desultory picket firing Is occurring
constantly, but no Importance Is at
tached to It. While the Russian plan3
never contemplated strong resistance, to
the Japanese on the Yalu, It Is evident
that the latter expected a show of de
fense of the river, and some surprise is
manifested here that practically no at
tempt was made to Impede the enemy's
iorces. In explanation of this. It Is sig
nificantly intimated by members of the
general staff that General Kuropatkln
has some secret plans, and that the Jap
anese may soon find themselves In a trap.
General Kuropatkln's skill as a strategist
Is a thing In which the Russian army
reposes blind faith.
Consider Him a Genius.
"Wall until the denouement," officers of
the general staff say. They consider that
General Kuropatkln's skill as a strategist
approaches real genius. Many of the of
ficers assert that a3 chief of staff, General
Kuropatkln was largely instrumental In
organizing the victories of General Sko
beloff and delight to tell how, years ago,
during the big field maneuvers at Moscow
against Grand Duke Serglus, he drew the
whole of the Grand Duke's artillery into
an ambuscade ending the campaign at a
single Btroke. It Is estimated that It will
take the Japanese at least a week to bring
over their men and baggage and to pre
pare for an "advance upon the first Rus
sian line, which Is strongly posted at
Feng Huan Cheng, 50 miles west of the
Yalu on the Pekln road.
The general staff does not believe it
will bo possible for the Japanese to de
liver a successful frontal attack on this
position, the country being exceedingly
difficult and also favorable for disastrous
ambuscades.
The members of the staff are inclined
to think the Japanese may try a flanking
movement to the northward, but say if
they do" so Mt con only be a diversion
owing to the bad condition in which the
roads will be for the next fortnight. With
in the last few days, General Kuropatkln
has advised the Emperor that he Is well
satisfied with the dispositions made of the
Russian troops to meet the Japanese ad
vance upon the Feng Huan Cheng line.
He has also made a favorable report on
the strength of the Hal Cheng line above
Nlu Chwang, and the conditions on the
Uao Tung Peninsula.
Will Now Hold Llao Yang.
It Is sJSd that General Kuropatkln,
upon his arrival at Llao Yang, doubted
the expediency of holding that place, but
he is now convinced it should, and can,
be held. While It Is admitted that the
Japanese may be able to land at several
places on the peninsula, and even cut
the railway, it Is believed they will not
care to take the risks Involved In such
movements. Vice-Admiral Togo could
easily hold the Russian fleet In port dur
ing the disembarkation of the Japanese
troops but to insure their safety after
ward, he would be compelled to maintain
constantly a superior force outside the
harbor lo prevent tho possibility of the
Russian fleet seizing the Japanese base
and cutting off their communications,
leaving them to sustain, unsupported, a
land attack.
"An Invasion of LJao Tung would be
like an Invasion of England," remarked an
officer of the staff, "as Field Marshal
Count von Moltke said: 'There are many
ways in, but not a single way out.' "
FIND SHE STRUCK MINE.
Experts Report on the Destruction of
the Petropavlovsk.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 1. The fol
lowing telegram from Viceroy Alexieff,
under date of April 30, has been received
by the Emperor:
"The special commission appointed to
inquire into the cause of tho sinking
of tho battleship Petropavlovsk has es
tablished beyond a doubt that the fact
that the battleship struck a mine laid
by tho enemy within the radius of the
customary evolutions of our fleet on the
occasion of Its sorties into the outer
roads in order to get at the enemy.
The explosion of this mine under the
boat compartments and bunkers of the
Petropavlovsk resulted, according to tho
view of the commission of experts In
which I share, in. a series of explosions
through the detonation of the pyroxylin,
and the 12-inch shells in the ship's mag
zlne and In the explosion of the powder
cartridge stores, as well as of the cylin
drical boilers. These several explosions
were observed in the two minutes which
elapsed before the battleship was wrapped
in a sheet of flame and disappeared be
neath the sea."
by three Russian cruisera and torpedo
boats. The Rossia then approached her.
Her ship's captain, accompanied by tho
superintending naval officer and two
other officers, Trent aboard the Rossia,
where they were detained. The enemy
gave an hour's respite for surrender, but
the soldiers, in strict discipline obeying
officer's order, refused. At 1:80 P. M. the
enemy discharged a torpedo, whereupon
our soldiers, forming themselves into line
on deck, exchanged fire with the enemy,
during which many of our officers and
men perished. At about 2 P. M. another
torpedo was discharged and, hitting the
engine-room, split the ship in two. Some
coolies and merchants had previously
taken "to boats and were subsequently
Joined by some soldiers" after the ex
plosion. The boats were then rowed
westward and after Indescribable suffer
ings the seamen reached Sinpho on the
27th. There were 45 petty officers and
privates, six coolies and three merchants.
"Most of the crew and coolies appear
to have been taken by the enemy. All
military, except the above-mentioned,
survivors are said to have been killed.
The company lost two Captains, two First
and one Second lieutenants, the Ensign,
73 privates and two interpreters. Of the
survivors, ten were slightly wounded."
RUSSIAN REPORTS OF FIGHTING
Small Skirmishes Are the Rule, With
the Odds Against the .Japanese.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 30. An offi
cial dispatch has been received at the
headquarters concerning affairs on the
Yalu up to April 23. It follows:
"Official reports received during the last
few days state that on April 22 a move
ment was seen among the Japanese troops
on the Yalu, small detachments moving
on tho left bank. On April 23 larger
bodies concentrated opposite Wlju and the
Japanese proceeded to cross by small de
tachments. About two companies with a
small body of cavalry crossed at Siapous
slkhe. From the evening of April 24 on
ward, reports began to come in to the
effect that the enemy was preparing to
cross at Wlju, Turen Cheng and Tohao
Cheng Ling.
"On the following day the Japanese en
deavored to throw bridges across the
eastern arm of the Yalu opposite Turen
Cheng and Siapousskhe. Toward 3 o'clock
In the afternoon they occupied the Island
of Somllandia and spent the night of
April 26 on an island north of Sandakou.
"The Japanese, who numbered 1500,
were received by the fire of our light
cavalry, who, being numerically Inferior,
took boats and crossed to the right bank,
whence they kept up a lively Are, oc
cupying a narrow path along the bank
sheltered by a sharp ascent. Our light
cavalry lost: Chief of the detachment.
Lieutenant Somenoff, and 18 men wound
ed, but their severe fire at short range
against the Japanese In close formation
must have inflicted considerable losses.
"At 3:30 A. M. April 26, 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 Somllandia, forcing the Japanese
to continue their passage of the river by
pontoons south of Wlju. Toward 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 towards the place of their pas
sage. The Japanese battery did not have
time even to come into action.
"At 9 o'clock In the evening of April
27 some three battalions of the Japanese
crossed the Yalu at the Village of Ma
toutseo, over the eastern branch of the
river. The night of April 2T-28 passed
quietly.
"On the morning of April 28 our scouts
reported that the Japanese had occupied
an Island opposite Sandakou, having
screened advance posts on the left bank
of the river.
"Our troops continue to occupy their
position on the right bank of the river."
WILL TRY TO KEEP FLEET IN.
Togo Wants No More Raids by the
Vladivostok Squadron.
ST. PETERSBURG, Mayl, 4:38 A. M.
A dispatch received herefrom Viceroy
Alexieff, says:
"The continued presence of the Jap
anese squadron off Vladivostok has con
vinced the authorities that VIce-Admlral
Togo has taken to heart the sharp lesson
taught him through his failure to con
sider the possibilities of mischief by the
formidable Russian division at that port,
and Is now seeking means to stop further
raiding operations in the Sea of Japan.
It is evident that as soon as the Japanese
were Informed of the operation of the
Russians in Corean waters, the govern
ment Instructed VIce-Admlral Togo to
dispatch a strong squadron and send It
to Vladivostok to cut off the Russian
ships and confine them to the harbor, so
they could do no further damage. The
former purpose failed, owing to the celer
ity of Rear-Admiral Yezsan's move
ments." While there is no expectation that
Rear Admiral Yezsan will risk an en
counter with a superior force by putting
to sea, even on a raiding expedition, it Is
said he is a bold, careful commander and
will spring surprises upon the Japanese.
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JAPANESE FLEET IS ACTIVE.
Alexieff Reports Its Appearance In
the Gulf of Uauri.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 1. 2:40 A. M.
In a telegram to the Emperor, dated
April 30, Viceroy Alexieff says:
"About 2 o'clock yesterday morning,
four Japanese torpedo-boats appeared In
tho Gulf of TJsuri off the Skypler light
house, but shortly afterward put out for
the open sea again.
"It was reported from Askold Island, at
7:20 In the morning, that ten Japanese
cruisers and six torpedo-boats were com
ing1 up from the south. They steamed
first In tho direction of tho Gulf of
TJsuri, without coming within range. At
10 o'clock In the morning they headed
toward Cape Gamova and steamed along
Russky Island, as far as Scott Island,
eventually disappearing In a southerly
direction in a thick fog which prevented
further observance of their movements."
Manchuria, and about SO miles west of
Mukden. The Chinese government is
greatly amazed at what is termed Rus
sian interference with the telegraphs at
Hsln Mln Tun, with which place commu
nication hitherto has been free and reg
ular. That Russians are about to enforce mar
tial law la the country west of the Ldao
River has been confirmed, and in certain
diplomatic Quarters here the feeling that
Russia is seeking an occasion to quarrel
with China is gaining ground.
Russian Force on the Yalu Now Large
SHAN HAI KWAN, April 30. Mission
aries who have just arrived at Nlu
Chwang report that when they left An
Tung ten days ago the Russians in that
vicinity numbered 30.000 men, and had
strongly fortified positions between An
Tung and the Ai River, which empties
Into the Yalu about 20 miles northeast of
An Tung. There were also some Russian
forces at Hsu Ten and Feng Huan Cheng,
where bases had been established. These
two places are respectively about 65 and
45 miles to the northwest of An Tung.
The Russians- along the railroad line,
according to the missionaries, were burn
ing bean cakes, endeavoring, with some
success, to prevent the export of this
product.
Vladivostok Still Free From Attack.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 30. Tho ab
sence of telegrams from Rear-Admiral
Yeszen is regarded at the Admiralty as
proof that the Japanese have not attempt
ed to bombard Vladivostok. It Is under
stood that VIce-Admlral Choukln, now
commanding the Naval Cadet School, will
succeed VIce-Admlral Skrydloff as com
mander of the Russian Black Sea fleet,
and that Admiral Korsakoff will succeed
Admiral Choukln.
through Mongolia to the railway near
Harbin with the intention of destroying
it. The officers who were executed ten
days ago at Harbin came through Mongolia.
they were when the war broke out, have
been sent to the village of Kolpashevo,
200 miles distant, -where they -will remain
until the opening- of navigation.
Denmark Declares Strict Neutrality.
STOCKHOLM, April 50. King Oscar has
signed a decree declaring strict neutrality
between Japan and Russia during the
war. The decree is similar in terms to
that Issued by the Danish government.
Russia Protests to China.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 30. Russia
has called tho attention of the Pekin
government to reports received from the
Russian military authorities indicating
that stray officers are making their way
Foreign Military Attaches Leave.
TOKIO, April 30. Fourteen foreign
military attaches who have been as
signed to the first army left Tokio to
day by rail for tho port of Shlmonoseki.
They will sail May 3 for an unknown des
tination, and a large crowd of people bid
them, farewell at the railroad station.
Japanese Prisoners Sent Away.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 30. A party
of 140 Japanese prisoners who were re.
cently removed to Tomsk from Vladivo
stok, Harbin, and Dalny, where
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St. Petersburg Little Surprised.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 1. 4:30 A. M.
The finding of the court of inquiry that
the battleship Petropavlovsk was de
stroyed by a Japanese mine has caused
little surprise in St. Petersburg. This
finding has been expected since Viceroy
Alexleffs dispatch of April 21, in which
Vice-Admlral Togo's claim that he was
responsible for the blowing up of the
chip was practically admitted.
ONE HOUR TO SURRENDER.
Japanese Who Went Down With
Transport Obey Orders.
"WASHINGTON. April 30. The Japanese
legation today received the following offi
cial report from Tokio on the sinking of
the transport Kinshlu Maru:
"As the Ninth Company, Eighty-seventh
Infantry Regiment, peace strength 150.
were returning to Gensan in the trans
port Kinshlu Maru. registered tonnage
2SS9, after reconnoltering Yikon and the
neighborhood of Pangyongdo, they were
"topped at Has A. it,. April 25 off Sinpho
RUSSIA HEAVES SIQH OF RELIEF
Press Heartily Approves Note Declar
ing There Can Be No Mediation.
ST. PETERSBURG. April 30. With
out a dissenting voice the Russian
press approves of the decision of the
government, as announced in its circular
note, not to permit mediation and warn
ing tho powers that they must keep their
bands off when the terms of peace are
settled. The Svet says:
"All Russia heaves a sigh of relief. "We
are going to establish ourselves on the
Pacific without sharing the spoils of vlc-tery."
RUSSIANS SUSPECT CHINA.
Accuse Her of Making Secret Treaty
With Japan.
PEKIN, April 30. It is declared here
that certain Russian officials are circu
lating story accusing China of having
made a secret treaty with Japan regard
ing the port of Amoy and the province of
Fu Kien. and containing the statement
that prominent Chinese and Japanese of
ficials already have left Shanghai for
Amoy to arrange the preliminaries of the
treaty. Chinese and Japanese ofl rial's
hero unite in denying this accusation.
CHINA IS AMAZED.
Russian Interference With Telegraph
Causes Feeling of Alarm.
PEKIN, April 30. The Russian censor
ship over telegrams, has been extended to
the station at Hsln, Mia Tun whjch is to
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