The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

#4 tains. A hosmtal has heen estshi‘lshad in the Llama temple. in toe onts®>irts af the town. and a field hosnits! ha= haan located in a wood reop the mSita+pe camp around the statim. A sienifernt feature of the sitnwatinn is the doweanor of the Chinese porulation. A close observer of the exnressions and general attitude of the Cbiness c+n tell how the fichtins a hundred miles away is turning. They have ranid and mysterious channels of _ informstinn through which the result of a battle ~* plain will This cond the practi Mukden for the w gragements season The Japanese Army is Advancing in Three Columnsâ€"Wounded at Mukden. Mukden cable â€" The fighting line is steadily nearimg Mukden, while Viceroy Alexiefl‘s headquarters still remain. Litâ€" tle reliable information can be obtained by the newspaper correspondents, who are forbidden to proceed to the scene of operations, and official information is withheld until advices are sent to St, Petersburg. 1t is now known, however, that the Japanese are almost within striking distance of the Russians, and that the forces protecting Liaoâ€"Yang are stretching eastward from the railâ€" soad along the Maoâ€"Tien mountain "uâ€"Yen â€"and eclumns are r ther to the n of turning the vancing upon engzagements | «ecrsiv( Arthur the Jay The . a base, and to abandon most of the lan« transportation through Corea, using the regular army transport equipment for conveying munitions from Antung to the front. ‘The Chinese do not object to the Japanese _ occupation, because the new comers give employment to thouâ€" sands at good wages, and furnish a marâ€" ket for provisions at inflated prices. Many Japanese shopkecpers alremry are gstaolished here. The river has not yet been opened to foreign commerce, The correspendents who remain _ at headquarters visited the Russian woundâ€" ed, who expressed satisfaction at their Rreaiment. Their only complaint conâ€" eerning provisions was that they receivâ€" ed no bread, the Japanese army not being provided with stores of that kind. range. The three columt TN «1 ‘Antung cable, via Seoul, recently says : ‘The concentration of the Russian forces at Liaoâ€"Yang, will make that place the first line of defense, and the first great battle probably will be fought there. No important _ aggressive action by this army is expected in the near future. Since the Russian fleet at Port Arthur has been bottled up the Japanese find it possible to safely use this port as Jia im we rain w ars has The Russians admit the advance of the Japanese army to a point within fifteen miles of Hai Cheng, many of their wounded entering there. The near est fighting expected before the Japanâ€" ese reach New Chwang will be at Tashi Ichao, but it will not amount to much. This city is now guarded by 300 Chinese police, and everything is quiet. The «Japanese force at Kai Chou is reported 20,000 stronâ€". , If defeated no stop will be made at Mukden, but the retirement will be conâ€" #inued to Thiling, a town at the head of navigation for native craft on the Liao River, 20 miles north of New Chwang. At the same time the Cossack regiments will be employed in the rear of the Japanese army of the Yalu, harâ€" mesing the troops and interfering with its communications. It is not believed that the Japanese will move into the Snterior until they have thoroughly esâ€" tablished their base here, repeating the movement which they made during the war with China. z,he highest Russian authority that the Japanese advance will be resisted at Hai Cheng, whence the Russian forces will fall back upon Liao Yang, where they will make a determined _ stand, with a fighting strength there available wf 70,000 men. ‘A recent New Chwang cable says.â€"In confirmation of the recent Associated Press despatches, the Russian evacuaâ€" tion of this city has been completed. Nothing remain but the destruction of ithe gunboat Sivouch, which it is exâ€" pected will take place early in the mornâ€" ing. The Russian troops marched out in rfect order, Gen. Kondratsvitch leayâ€" fig with the last regiment. The Associated Press _ correspondent has received exclusive‘/information from Landing of Japanese at Kaiâ€"Chau Was a Surprise to Russians. WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE New Chwang Evacuated and Russians Ready to Retreat. First Big Battle Will be Fought at Liao Yang. JAPANESE WITHIN STRIKING _ DISTANCE OF THE RUssIANS, First Great Battie Will Likely be Fought at Liaoâ€"Yang. count RUSSIA‘$ FiR®ST LINE g. It is no Japanese ; listance of forees _ pr ching eastw mg the A he Japanes ummns, and and Fengâ€" to abands ion throus ay transyp munitions The Chine n Mu il rc W rt 1V fleet at Port Arthur up the Japanese find ely use this port as ndon most of the land ough Corea, using the isport equipment for ms from Antung to inese do not object to cupation, because the employment to thouwâ€" es, and furnish a marâ€" s at inflated rricos. opkecpers already are The river has not vet +1 roteciing Liaoâ€"rang ward from the railâ€" Maoâ€"Tien â€" mountain se are advancing in are now north of Wangâ€"Cheng. _ Two 1 to be working furâ€" ard, with the object ian position and adâ€" n n be work with th osition ~umerot fought, on place elv jsol: y isolated t Polandien operating i d to the R of the Ti ntiry The wea | drv. bu USs 8 it mall t no n it What Will Skrydloff Do?â€"The Japs‘ Double Purpose ( : st. Petersburg cable says.â€"The probaâ€" ! bility that there will be no further comâ€" | munication with Port Arthur, thus preâ€" | venting Viceâ€"Admiral Skrydlof _ (who | passed through Irkutsk, Siberia, May | 14) from assuming command of the Rusâ€" , sian squadron there, has led to the sugâ€" |gestion that Skrydloff return from the i far east and hoist his flag as commandâ€" | er of the Baltic squadron, which is desâ€" | tined for the far east. Viveâ€"Admiral Roâ€" | Jestvensky, who has been gazetted to , command the lattes is a junior of Viceâ€" | Admiral Skrydloff, aud would be ordered ! to report to him as commanderâ€"inâ€"chicf. |\\’h:uow-r Skrydlofi‘s future plans may | be, the Admiralty saye he will certainly ‘ proceed to Vladivostock and inspect the Wevuel Beic io 960 af comsi‘ rable bodies oft‘here;l;niy-ll; the northwest se of Manchuria. The grams received from Rear Admiral Jesâ€" so: do not refer to the presence of a sinâ€" wle Japanese ship. It is said that the Russians would not have the slightest objection to a blockade of Vladivostock, since it would tie up a Japanese squadâ€" ron, without causing inconvenience, it being Admiral Skrydloft‘s plan to risk either of the Russian squadrons until the Baltic squadron reaches the Pacific. No oll!cial despatches were given out this morning, on account of the delay cecasioned by the Emporor‘s journey. His Majesty arrived at Kharkoff â€" this morning, whither all despatches have been transmitted. A specian force of opâ€" crators has been detailed for this purâ€" _ In the absence of advices, the general staff is continuing its speculation based on the latest reports of the appearance pos< be, the Admiralty s; proceed to Vladivos: squadron there. The report that V aded is denied at t grams received fronm so: do not refer to t] wle Japanese shin. A detachment of Russian troops recentâ€" ly @rept upon the rear of the Japanese advance on the road from Feng Wang Cheng to Liao Yang, causing the enemy to fall back slightly. lii0 Yang cavie (delayed) says.â€"A Chinese oflicial asserted _ toâ€"day in a speech at a dinner given in his honor and in that of the other Celestial offiâ€" cials by the military authorities of Liao Yang that Japan wants an alliance with China in order to use her. The official furthor declared that the Chinese conâ€" sidered it their duty to preserve good relations with Russia, whose frontier adjoined China‘s. He added: "An alliâ€" ance between China and Japan would be fatal. Japan made war on us once, anrd Russia‘s intervention caused her to leave us in peace. An alliance now would enâ€" able her to use us and then again atâ€" tack us." In hunting for the Chinese bandits the Cossacks burned the village of Shontaidza. The military authorâ€" ities have now organized a subscription for the relief of the villagers, who will be given employment on the railroad. The Chinese report that Cien. Ma is in the district of Cheng Te Fou, Province of Chili. An Aliance With Japan Would be Fatal to Chinaâ€"Russia a Neighbor. Liso Yang cable (delayed) says.â€"A Chinese oflicial asserted toâ€"day in a "Uuder such conditions," the Standâ€" ard says, "the issue of battle is very seldom doubtful." The Constantinople corespondent _ of the Daily Mail sends a report to the effect that Russia has suggested to Turkey some scheme for the capitaiizaâ€" tion of the indemnity due by the latter for immediate payment to Russia as a means of increasing the revenue for war purposes. London Newspapers Believe it to be Preâ€" cariousâ€"Menaced by Chinese Rebels. London eable says.â€"In the abscence of actual news from the seat of war in the Far East, the London newspapers this morning are commenting on what is believed to be the precarious position of (ien. Kouropatkin, who is menaced by the possibility of the Chinese rebels cutting his communications, as well as by the difliculty of divining the Japanâ€" ese plan of campaign. The Standard, which is rather inclined to be proâ€"Rusâ€" sian in its views, admits that Kouroâ€" patkin has at his disposal south of Mukâ€" den about 100,000 troops of inferior quality, only 75,000 of whom are availâ€" able for active operations, while Gen. Kuroki certainly has 140,000 first class troops, the equal of those in European armics. in the indefinite future, when the Rus sians are able to make a sweeping ad vance. Fengâ€"Wangâ€"Cheng spread, «»* could be suspected from the outwara manner of the Chinese before the Russians made it known here. The cutting off of Port Arthur is another instance in point. The newspaper correspondents are most courâ€" teously treated by Col. Poestich, the offiâ€" cer whom Viceroy Alexieff appointea to attend them, but they are chafing under the restrictions imposed here, which preâ€" vent them from secing anything of the ; fighting. Gen. Kouropatkin is evidently unwilling that the foreign correspondâ€" ents shall witness the present phase of operations, though he may accept them ST. PETERSBURG TALK. KOUROPATKIN‘S POSITION. A CHINESE OPINION. re. R that Vladivostock is block d at the Admiraity. Tele ; The Last Russian Regiment Left the Place on Monday. Newâ€"Chwang cable saysâ€"The evacuaâ€" tion of the city by the Russians has been completed. The evacuation _ was completed at 10 o‘clock last night, with .the exception of the destruction of the gunboat Sivoutch, which is expected to | take place toâ€"day. (Gien. Kondratevich, ‘tho general who has been in command ; of the place, left with the last regiâ€" t ment. Gen. Zassalitch Superseded. St. Petersburg cable says.â€"It is anâ€" nounced toâ€"night that Lieut.â€"Gen, Zasâ€" salitch has been relievgd of the comâ€" mand of the Second Siberian army diviâ€" sion, and that Lieut.â€"Gen. Count Keller, former Governor of Ekaterinoslay, has been appointed to succeed him. Since the battle of the Yalu it has been predicted that Gen. Zassalitch would not long retain his command, but there has been no disposition to act hasâ€" tily. The Emperor‘s advisers could not forget that while Zassalitch did not Complete Withdrawal. St. Petersburg cable says: The complete withdrawal of the Russians from New Chwang is believed to have followed the strategic command of the port by the columns sent â€" westward by Gen. Kuroki. _ The exact conditions under which the â€" evacuation was _ brought about are not known here, as all the oflicial despatches have been forwarded to thr Emperor. _ The Foreign Office is not advised as to whom the adminâ€" istration of New Chwang will be handâ€" ed over, but the authoritiee _ express confidence that the Russian commander arranged for the safety of the foreignâ€" ers before his departure. The Ministry of the Interior denies the reports of riots among the peasants in the Proâ€" vince of Volpynia. It is said that the western section of European Russia is enjoying _ agricultural â€" prosperity _ inâ€" stead of bad crops, which are aileged to be the cause of the outbreaks. It is stated on high authority that the Rusians expect to make resistance to the Japanese advance on Haiâ€"Cheng and then fall back on Liaoâ€"Yang, where they will make a determined stand. _ They are said to have 70,000 troops at Liaoâ€" Yang. Should they be defeated there, they would not stop at Mukden, but reâ€" tire to Tieling, which is 200 miles from Newâ€"Chwane. The troops marched out in an orderly manner. ‘lhe city is guarded by three hundred police and is quiet. __ _ [ The Shore Defences Silenced by Japanâ€" ese Warshins. London cable says.â€"There is little of importance that can be added to the official Russian despatches, concerning the operations on the west coast of the Liaoâ€"Yany Peninsula. Telegrams from Newâ€"Chwang state that Japanese troops have landed, and make no mention of a feint. The firing covering the landing of the troops is described as a terrific bombardment of four warships. â€" The shore defences were silenced at four o‘clock in the afternoon. The Russians retreated towards Tashichao, The Japâ€" anese advanced rapidly, and, according to one story, are outflanking the Rusâ€" sians at Tashichao and Newâ€"Chwang. Another _ correspondent, however, says that a Japanese advance is not #exâ€" pected at present, as rains have canâ€" verted the country into a quagmire. _ Despatches from Shanâ€"Haiâ€"Kwan ro-| port that the Japanese have occupied Tashichao, l "The Japanese squadron left after 5.30 o‘clock, proceeding southwest, and several of its vessels remained visible on the horizon until dusk." "Gen, Samsonoff reports at 11.30 last night that the Japanese confiped their efforts to feints at landing in the neighâ€" borhood of Siungyueâ€"Cheng and Kaiâ€" Chau. Their vessels opened fire on the town of Siungyueâ€"Cheng, on our scouts and on the coast. (ien. Sakharoff reports to the general staff under toâ€"day‘s date, as follows: "Towards noon seventeen _ steamers approached Siungyueâ€"Cheng and opened fire upon the town, while five vessels apâ€" proached the shore. "At 1.30 p. m. three large steamers appeared off the Cape, and at 3.20 p. m. the enemy landed _ at â€" Huangtsiatung and commenced a march in the direction of Kaiping." _ _ j St. Petersburg cable saysâ€"The followâ€" ing telegram from Gen. Kouropatkin to the Emperor, under adte of May 16, has ben given out here; Disembarkation of the Second Japanese Army Surprised the Russians. opinion prevaiis that this is an indicaâ€" tion of the intention of the Japanese to make an attempt to stop Gen. Kouroâ€" patkin‘s retreat _ northward, while the main Japanese force is hurled against Liaoâ€"Yang and Mukden. It is believed here tnat the Japanese generals must appreciate that they would _ lose the fruits of their achievement if Kouropatâ€" kin retired unmolested to Harbin, and there await reinforcements, leaviflg the invaders to hold the country, and thereâ€" by losing men by disease. The Japanese ccurse would have grand prospects of success if they had sufficient strength, but the authorities here are convinced that the cnemy is too weak to carry ltl out, Further showing that Kouropatkin never had any intention to attempt to stop the northward advance of the Japâ€" anese, a railroad engincer, who has just arrived here from the far east, was quoted toâ€"day as saying that when he talked with the commanderâ€"inâ€"chief _ in February, the latter wanted an add?â€" tional line built in the rear of the Manâ€" churian army, so as to enable it to fall back and subsequently advance. The engineer added: "Kourapatkin said he hoped to advance at the end of June, or, in case the rains interfered, at the end of August. I pointed out that he had better go slow and make a survey, to which Kouropatkin replied: " ‘Build imâ€" mediately. There is no time for a surâ€" vey. Otherwise the whole territory will be in the enemw‘s hands.‘" NEWâ€"CHWANG EVACUATED. TERKRIFIC BOMBARDMENT. LANDED AT KAIâ€"CHAU. WWWWM*# e miuae es a es Sn emiaoxt. "ut, _: / SAmaiiy y > * TORONTO Storming of Port Arthur Would Entail Frightful Loss. Bt. Petersburg cable says.â€"A member of the general stail sarid that the reâ€" moval of the guns from the fortificaâ€" tions erected at Kinâ€"Chau and the desâ€" truction of the piers at Port Dalny were primarily io: tne purpose of concenâ€" trating the entire Russian force at Port Arthur. If the men and guns were seatâ€" tered the effect would have been to disâ€" tribute the means of defence of the foitress over a number of points strateâ€" gicaly weak. The destruction of Dainy was the result of no sudden determinaâ€" tion, but was due to the probabilit y that a force attempting to hold _ this place could be separated from Port Arâ€" The Tokio corespondent of the Chronâ€" cle refers to iwo wounded oflicers who were taken prisoners, as the sole Japâ€" anese survivors of the last gallant a+râ€" tack by a company of 24 men on Goldâ€" en Hill fort at Port Arthur. The corâ€" respondent possibly refers to a naval action, though the wording of his desâ€" patch suggests a land storming. Simâ€" i“'LIUIl’ lll\llli-’ll UIC \l".ulll!_' UT AETS NECE® . patch suggests a land storming. Simâ€" Chinese Runners Get Through the Japâ€" ilar mysterions fragments of news perâ€" ; anese aiines With Despatches colate through the Japanese censorship yaiy ® l mes from time to time. | St. lct_vrslmrg‘ ('al‘;l(‘.**~.’.!|l(‘ Admir The _ Chefoo _ correspondent of the alty 1»(-(;01\‘(-(1 (ulu;xy an official despatch Chronicle again refers to the danger to from Rearâ€"Admiral Wittsoeft, beaieved navigation off Shanâ€"Tung, _ owing to to have been dated from Port Arthur, se ines, of whi severa May 14, reporting that there had been loose _ mines, i ich veral are I H 1 known. | nothing to report s nce the telegraph line had been cut, the Japanose shiA]» GROUND HEAVILY MINED. l haying attacked. Everything was Do well with the Russian squadrion. The Storming of Port Arthur Would Entail| despatch was gratifving to she authorâ€" Frightful Loss. [ ities, not only for the news it contained, | but because it was received. and the fact, Bt. Petersburg cable says.â€"A member ‘ while the telemaph line is seâ€"eed, a of the general stail said that the reâ€" system of communication by > eans of moval of the guns from the fortificaâ€"| Chinese runners has been sa isf c ori}y tions erected at ‘Kinâ€"Chau and the desâ€" inaugurated. In order to de! ver the ::;.‘:,c,,t;?.:‘l.o‘ 5?,0’ ?:;rs;:r;:)g lg?’“g('):‘ere hiao Yang ldesp‘m('hp‘ (.,‘,1,,,h ced io Hin, MA y Es ES cenâ€" / the runner has to nass through the Japâ€" trating the (“ntll‘e Russian force at Port | anese lines, already thrown 2c:o s ”‘:(. Arthur. If the men and guns were seatâ€" | narrow noeck of the peninsu‘a iust »hove tered the effect would have been to disâ€" | Port Arthur, for the purpose of eu :"la'l::s zl;t;r !;le:::n b:: o%efeqce of the ting off all communication between Gen, ?éal Teak: . Ihe dest ctEOIHtSf strateâ€" | Kouropatkin and the fortress. ‘The pasâ€" gicaly + ruction of Dalny | sage of the runner was dangerous, but lok tll!’e tmult t:lf not;ud«ll‘:n determinaâ€"| the task was light compared to what ion, but was due t robabilit ; (hat a force attempting to l‘l)ol a tlu’s' ietl'o:e"“ be when the Japanese forces place could ‘be separated from Port 1y invest Port Arthur, Nevetheâ€" m Arâ€" less, the authorities express confidence A report from Seoul states that the Japanese have been attacking Port Arâ€" thur since Monday. It is believed, the statements to the contrary notwithâ€" standing, that Dalny has not yet been occupied by the Japanese, The rumor persists that Russian torâ€" pedo boats have managed to get out of Port Arthur. Another despatch from Tienâ€"Tsin asâ€" serts that the Russians are keeping up communication as far as possible, but Japanese from Kaiping are scattered all over the peninsula. Port Arthur is Saut Off Both by Land and Sea. London cable says.â€"There is hardly a line of news respecting Port Arthur. A correspondent at Tienâ€"Tsin claims to have official Japanese authority for statâ€" ing that its investment by land and sea is considered complete. Communications of every kind with the fortress have been entirely cut. "No fresh report has been received regarding the Japanese raid on Kai Chau." "On May 15 there was no advance of any considerable force of the enemy north of Polandien. "On May 14 and 15 the Japanese reâ€" connaissances had not pushed â€" beyond 414 imiles from the station of Wafanâ€" dian. "There were no Japanese at Siuyen on May 15. "On May 14 the Japanese occupied Polandien with a detachment of two battalions of infantry and two squadâ€" rons of cavalry. "On May 10 our Cossacks encounterâ€" ed a foree of the enemy composed of one battalion of infantry _ and two squadrons of cavalry belonging apparâ€" ently to the Japanese guard â€"division near Kiandian Sian, and the fusilade lasted for an hour and a half. The fire of the Japanese infantry and cavalry was poor. We had one Cossack wounded, one horse killed and another wounded, and two Cossacks missing. "On May 15 the Japanese vanguard occupied Haihamentsa, in the valley of the Patao River, Tsiangtao, in the valley of the left branch of the samse river; Shitsiafuisu and Hitvouchen, in the valley of the Ai River, and Kianâ€" dian Sian. Kouropatkin Reports Small Skirmishes With Enemy. St. Petersburg cable says.Gen. Kouroâ€" patkin _ telegraphs _ to _ the Emperor, under date of May 16, as follows: _ The conflict between Viceroy Alexieff and Gen. Kouropatkin is acute. _ The latter attributes the Russian defeat on the Yalu River to Viceroy Alexieff‘s orders countermanding his _ previously given instructions. _ (Gen. Kouropatkin proioses the abandonment of _ Port Arthur, the junction of the forces, with his army, and the retirement of the united forces to Harbin, maintaining that the Russian force is not sufficient to cope with the Japanese. Viceroy Alexieff holds this course to be folly, as the abandonment of Port Arthur would mean the loss of the fleet, the suffering of a mortal defeat, and the risk of the extermination of the Portl Arthur force while seeking to make a junction with (Gen. Kouropatkin. The Emperor‘s entourage, it is added, tends to support Viceroy Alexieff. Almost Certain Kouropatkin Will Do This. St. Petersburg cable.â€" The Journal savs it is reporced that Gen. Kouropatâ€" kin will abandon Liao Yang and retire upon â€" Harbin with 150,000 _ men and await there the arrival of 55,000 men, on their way from KharkoffT, Southern Russia, and 50,000, who are about to be despatched from Moscow district. Lieut.â€"Gen. Count Keller recently reâ€" signed the governorship of Ekaterinoslay in order to go to the front. He is far abler a soldier than an administrator, and is younger than Gen. Zassalitch, being only 54. He varticivated in three camvaigns during the Turkish war. In 1887 he commanded the Imperial Rifle Regiment, and later was director of the corps of imperial pages, by which he was thrown into frequent contact with the members of the imperial family, with whom he is popular. He is considered to be a distinguished strategist, and the possessor of cool judgment. What will become of Zassalitch, wheâ€" ther he will remain in the Far East or be assigned to a less important reâ€" gion, cannot be learned toâ€"night, but it is emphatically stated that there is no intention to disgrace him, and that if he returns from the Far East it will be on sick leave and at his own request. It is generally believed that he will find it convenient to make such an applicaâ€" tion. which showed to the enemy and to the world that the Russians had not lost the courageous spirit of past generaâ€" tions. carry out the plans of operations which had been previously determined upon, he had displayed a stubborn resistance, Tu FALL BACK UPON HARBIN. INVESTMENT COMPLETE. JAP FIRE POOR. 34 | _ Both prisoners were executed April 21 : between the new and old towns of Harâ€" ihin, in the presence of a large crowd. | They were shot instead of being hanged, : upon order of Gen. Kouropatkin. _ A | strong guard was thrown about the spot to hold back the public at a distance of 400 yards. No photographs were allow: ; ed _to be taken, i The younger prisoner refused to allow ‘ the bandaging of his eyes. When told ‘ it was necessary, according to Russian | law, he asked that an except ion be made in his favor. The elder Japanese, a staff officer, wept, and fainted, but finally al ; lowed himsel{ to be blindfolded calmly. ; One of the men was a Catholic, and made | his final confession to a Russian priest, . there being no representative of the ©Catholic priesthood in Harbin. Quantities of wood and oil have been placed on board the Russian gunboat Sivouch, in New Chwang waters, to be used in destroying her by fire when the Russians evacuate New Chwane. The small Russian guard remaining at New Chwang is ready to leave on the near approach of the enemy. Circulars have been posted at New Chwang and in its vicinity, signed by the chief of staff of the Japanese army, advising the Chinese to maintain order and secure stocks of _ provisions and transport wagons, for which the Japanese will pay full value. Russians Preparing to Destroy the Gunâ€" boat Sivouch. Che Foo cable says.â€"As a result of the engagement which the Japanese had on Monday with the Russian garrison at Kai Chou, on the west coast of the Liao Tung Peninsula, 23 miles directly south of Kin Kow, the port of New Chwang, the Russians were driven out of Kai Chou, the nearest point to New Chwang, with the exception of the Liazo River, where there is sufficient water to allow of the landing of troops. Chinese who â€" recently _ arrived here from New Chwang, while confirming the above, also say that the Japanese are skirmishing on either side of the railâ€" road north and south of Kin Chou. stroy telegraph communication on the Eastern Chinese Railway. The prisonâ€" ers admitted they were part of a detail numbering 100 men, whose purpose it was to destroy the railway at various points. When told that they must have been extremely brave people, they reâ€" plied: "Not at all; we are only carrying out our duty and the order ot the Mikado." Execution of Two Japs. St. Petersburg cable.â€" Details have been received here from Harbin regardâ€" ing the execution, April 21, of the two Japanese oflicers, Yukoka and Oki, for attempting to dynamite bridges and deâ€" stroy telegraph communication on the Eastern Chinese Railway. The prisonâ€" ers admitted they were part of a detail numbering 100 men, whose purpose it was to destrovy the railway at various Indefinite reports continue to reach Lonâ€" don of Japanese bombardments of Port Arthur and Dalny. The Standard‘s Odessa correspondent confirms the report that Gen. Kouropatâ€" kin‘s ageregate forees for the impending battle do not exceed 100,000 men. Shanghai despatches report that the Chinese are greatly gratified with the Japanese invitation to the Tartar Viceâ€" roy of Mukden to reâ€"establish the adâ€" ministration of Antung and induce Chinâ€" ese traders to return and resume busiâ€" ness. + Ay question greatly discussed in the London papers this morning is whether (ien. Kouropatkin has succeeded in asâ€" certaining that the Japanese are threatâ€" enin% his rear so near the Mukden line and has been enabled to begin a retreat, or whether he has elected to fight. In any case, it is considered that any day may bring news of a great battle in this district, as the transport difficulâ€" ties are believed to be so great as to make it almost impossible for General Kouropatkin to direct a rapid rotircment.‘ uo SE & yie Pss it Een o â€"It is noticeable patches seldom name they are sent. A::c«)rdin;z to the Standard‘s Tienâ€"Tsin correspondent, Gen. Kouropatkin has left for Harbin, Viceroy Alexieff still being at Linoâ€"Yang, with 20,000 troops. It is noticeable that Russian desâ€" patches seldom name the place whence London Papers Wonder Whether Kourâ€" opatkin Will Fight or Retreat. London cable says.â€"No further news has reached London, throwing light upon the appearance of Japanese _ troops northeast of Mukden, or indicating by what route they reached that point, so unexpectedly. The Japanese are s0 sUCâ€" cessfully in hiding their movements that it is only possible to guess at them from the vague indications in Russian official despatches. w en t h s un us 3e3 200. 00 ces k s thur and captured, thus inflicting furâ€" ther loss of prestige to the Russians, which could not be permitted at this The weakness of the Manchurian army, said this officer, left only one course to pursue, namely, that of mobilizing sufficient troops at _ Port Arthur to hold it until relief came, abandoning @Very point outside which did not contribute to the strategic deâ€" fence of the fortress. It has _ been learned that the ground over which the Japanese must charge to ca?ture the fortress is heavily mined. If they do capture it, the officer said, they will pay a frightful price. ‘ The destruction of Dainy is comâ€". plete, the breakwater and the buildings as well as the piers annd docks have been blown up. QUIET AT POXT ARTHUR. RUSSIANS DRIVEN OUT. FIGHT OR RUN. i Dy cans n sa isf .c oril to de‘i ver t] trus ed :o hi wrough the Jaj wn scros t] su‘a ittst »bor urpose of eu porkts hove 1» wen t city dop‘eting whaâ€"t 3 an "Itslan invaâ€"ion As a motter o‘ fa> ol Itel ans who hoÂ¥ve this e‘ty so for thi ; q seriously in excoss o cargo of steel way from Nov is full of int America. The door to Canacd Winnipeg, May 23. â€" The latest crop reports sont in by Canadian Northern Railway â€" station agente show that wheat gseding is about finished, and that the seed panteg a week ago is up ard growing vigâ€" orously under the genial influence of the prevailing summer _ weather. Grain has bson gotion in by goo@ reason in spite of t:o date opening of spring. All corditions are most gratifying. ard farmers are weli pleasod with the prospects. Next woeek they will begi{ sowing barley anmdl oats, and the following _ week Mlax will be sown. A Cargo t ecastern unsa tief Grain Sown a Week Ago Now in Vigorous Growth. 1 Kingston dospatch.â€"A mail bag was siqioen irom ihe G. T. R. station at Napance carly on Punday mornâ€" ing. mome _ children noticeqg letters on the tracks 300 yards from the station in the afternoon, and the polic» were notilied. The bag wae found some distance away. It is sai¢ to have convained 1,000 letters and several registered parcels and letâ€" tors. One regisiered package, â€" aqâ€" drosseq to W. P. Deroche, Napanee, was untouchod. Only one registered latter is missing. The rainâ€"soaked and mutilated let» tors were gathered together and will be delivered to the owners. In many cases the addroessos are alâ€" most obliterated, as the bag lay in the rain all Sunday morning. stolen From the G. T. BR. Station at Napanee Te boy‘s body has not been found. Mr. Posthelwaite is a _ wellâ€"known farmer of North Brandon. Whes she had succeeded in getting hold of the top of a maple tree Mr. Posthelwaite went to â€" rescue the boy, but hbe had disappeared _ beâ€" seath the water. ‘The father clung to another maple. James Brown and Maleoim Mcelunes, who _ were passâ€" ing, rescued the couple at + great risk â€" to â€" themsolves. They wore brougl.t to shore, where everything was done for their comfort. North Brandon Family‘s Struggle in the Water. Brandon, May 23.â€"A ead acciâ€" dent occurred this afternoon in which Gilzyers: Posthelwaite, nine years of agoe, was drowned. Willian Posthelwaite, with his wife and son, were driving into town, Wien nearing First street bridge tsoe Lorse gol into a washout and beâ€" fore help came the ihree were in deep water, over their heads, and being carried away by the swift current of the river. Mr. Posthelâ€" waite told the boy to hold on to the buggy while ue tried .to save his wife. * Montreal, May 2%.â€"Mislicading Another letter from Gen, Stoessel says he saw two submarine vessels in the roadstead on April 15. Paris cable says.â€"The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Echo de Paris has been shown a letter from Lieut.Gen, Stoessel, now in command of the miliâ€" tary forees at Port Arthur, to a relative recounting the loss of the battleship Petâ€" ropavlovsk, in which is the following: "as the squadron approached the enâ€" trance to Port Arthur the battleship Poâ€" bieda was struck by a Whitchead torâ€" pedo discharged by a submarine boat. We saw the submarine for a few seconds and I ordered that it be fired at, but the boat was not hit." London, May crald dectr The same letters describe the reverâ€" ence of the Russians for the overcoat of the late Viceâ€"Admiral Makaroff when it was taken out of the water. On its approach they bared their heads, made the sign of the cross and prayed for the repose of the admiral‘s soul. It is officially .denied that _ Viceroy Alexieff has gone to Liao Yang to asâ€" sume command of 20,000 troops, and that Gen. Kouropatkin has left Liao Yang for HMarbin. 1t is said that Kouropatkin is either at Liao Yanz or in its vicinity. Russians Convinced Togo Used Them in His Operations at Port Arthur. St. Petersburg cable says.â€"The Admirâ€" alty is now convinced by mail revrb received from Port Arthur that Viceâ€" Admiral Togo used submarine boats in his operations. A letter from Lieut.â€" Gen. Stoessel says that he was standing on Golden Hill when the Russian battleâ€" ship Petropavlovsk went down, and he saw a submarine boat torpedo the batâ€" tleship. Lieut. Schreiber claims he disâ€" tinctly saw the periscope of a submarâ€" ine boat, and could trace the course of the vessel. Officers of the Russian batâ€" tleship Pobeida testified that a submarâ€" ine boat discharged a torpedo against their ship, and they fired at. the subâ€" marine boat, hoping to sink it, but failed. that afrangements have been made to insure the frequent transmission of despatches, which, if captured, are unâ€" intelligible to the Japanese, as they are FAST GROWING WHEAT. SAVED WIFE, LOST SON. BOUNTYâ€"FED STEEL. P) No MAIL BAG RIFLED. O rnada ctory â€" rom Canada the Subject Comment SUBMARINE BOATS. Letter From Stoessel " o_ fast the numbe ho ho ove passed th ouch far thi: spring are not excoss of other yeare , Rnslord of t ficlds of Spain sent _‘ fromi thi lanot us been callco wlou of Montreal." af af e ‘ovres the fact sters have not _long ago to "oundland and 14 of to the Glasgow O# i HMo aAngi‘y enix â€" I should "What mmeering! She loft 1 went to th ashamed of he had qu cote‘s pros ing out for Then he to ‘"Women Mhe was Chevenix ve unwilling * he had no portant los to interfers wife. * W h ed rid should He 1| U I whip i: for the bim . thoroughl Owen‘s w tagry please “Th")' replied, you has bear shou nove "My «deai as we gro epix, gras But ewe not be sa "I think it, the angory nea re Heth W *mwi Ows Che who thin +p W with J the ro the w« For some da to any excess kind of way | his wife for | violtenceâ€"he a| offended her ; ness. He lavis jJewels, new o upon her, for i better than a though he inen Mrs. Hay at leaving than she h Chevenix h ahe would alone with found that party mad some restr him. _ She to epend a that youg adoration ful Lady ( Marian H mosl usual y tempt. not en remons fied a dn« baro wa tim im d PEW The Hs« mm n n ra nk ()1 1 wil Ni Hs N4 H b Vj H in < tri