The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, October 24, 1904, Image 1

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THE MORNING NEWS. , Established 1850. - Incorporated ISSB > 3. H. ESTILL. President. ' RUSSIAN FLEET FIRES UPON BRITISH VESSELS SINKS ONE AND KILLS OR INJURES THE CREW Hull Fishing Fleet Sustains Bombardment. Steam Trawler Crane Sent to the Bottom by the Russian Fire Baltic Squadron Did the Worh* Killed Two Men-The Action of the Russians Inexplainable. Hull, England. Oct. 23.—A. M. Jack eon & Cos., solicitors for the owners of fifty Hull Ashing boats, have notiAed the Foreign Office and admiralty of an attack on the Hull fishing fleet by the Russian Pacific fleet (commonly designated as the Baltic squadron). The official information is that shortly after midnight Friday the Russian squadron fell in with the Hull fishing fleet in the North sea. The first portion of the fishing fleet passed safely. Then the Russian ships turn ed their searchlights on the British vessels for some time, and a little later opened fire. The steam trawler Crane was sunk and the decapitated bodies of her skipper and mate have been brought to Hull. The boatswain and other members of the crew, who are under stood to be seriously injured, are on board a mission ship. The only slight ly injured member of the crew has ar rived at Hull. Others Damaged By Shots. The steam trawlers Moulmein and Mino have arrived at Hull seriously damaged by shots, the latter having sixteen holes in her hull. It is feared that other damage was done to trawl ers and that at least one more was lost, with all hands. According to other reports the affair occurred 200 miles off Spurnhead. The Russian ships were steaming in line. The leading ships passed without In cident, though most of the vessels turned . searchlights on the trawlers long enough to prevent any mistake as to identity. After the bulk of the squadron had passed, It opened fire, nearly all participating in the firing. The Crane was struck below the wa ter line and raked above deck. Skip per Smith and Third Hand Leggott had their heads carried clean away by a shot, many of the crew being se riously wounded. Another trawler also was sunk, but the Seagull, which brought the news to Hull, has no par ticulars as to her fate. Great Indignation. The news has created an intense sen sation and indignation in Hull. The Moulmein arrived with her flag ‘at half mast. Her skipper states that the trawlers were fishing about 220 miles east by north of Spurnhead at 1 o’clock Saturday morning, the weath er being hazy, when 'the outlines of several vessels, apparently worships, sailing in a line, were dimly seen. Whilst the crew were watching the warships, searchlights were flashed up on them, in the glare of which the Moulmein's crew observed what they took to be torpedo boats approaching, apparently with the intention of board ing the Moulmein. They steamed away, however, and soon the fisher men were horrified to find they were being fired upon. First one and then another trawler was struck by flying shot. What seemed to be a round shot went through the Moulmein’s gal ley. The Mino, lying near by, also was struck with many shots, but fortun ately the damage was above her water line, and none of her crew w’as struck. Bombarded for Twenty Minutes. The bombardment lasted about twen ty minutes. When it had ceased the heet sailed southward, and some of the trawlers sent up rockets. The Moulmein steered in the direction of the rocket. Soon cries were heard, end the Crane was found sinking, with another trawler taking off some of her crew. Those seriously injured were removed to a mission ship, and the bodies of Srhlth and Leggott were plac ed aboard the Moulmein. The other men wjth minor injuries were put aboard the trawler Seagull, which at a 'at# hour had not arrived at Hull. Crowds have gathered around the rt(,< k, but no further Inforrrfatlon is mailable. Representatives of the fishing fleet started late to-night for London to consult the authorities there. No motive can be assigned for the extraordinary procedure of the Russian "urshlps. Arnuaed by Firing. The only survivor of the Crane who has yet reached here Is J. A. Smith, Jsabatmab IKofiiing NUMBER 17.821. son of the deceased skipper, and who with the captains of the Moulmein and Mino is going to London to con sult the authorities. Young Smith was asleep in his bunk when the firing aroused him. Just as he was getting up a shot struck the starboard and penetrated to the forecastle, smashing a lamp near which he was standing. He rush ed on deck, where the searchlights re vealed the horrible sight of his father and Leggott lying headless and the deck strewn with the injured. It was soon found that the vessel was sink ing and signals for assistance were sent up. Smith and others concur in the de tails of the firing that have already been given. CAPTAIN TELLS STORY OF RUSSIANS’ ATTACK. Were Peacefully Finding When the Filing; Began. London, Oct. 23. —The steam cutter Magpie, belonging to the Gamecock trawler fleet, which was fired on by the Russian Baltic fleet, arriVed in the Thames to-night. Her captain, Peaker, confirmed the details of the story received from Hull. He says: “Friday night there were about forty vessels of the Gamecock fleet fishing in latitude 55.47 and longitude 55.46. It was a misty, drizzly night. We spread over an area of some miles. Our admiral had just previous ly signalled by rockets and colored lights the fishing direction for the night. Whether that had anything to do with what followed I do not know. The whole thing is a mys tery. “Presently through the mist there appeared the lights of many vessels, big and small. Knowing that the Baltic fleet was en route, we natural ly assumed that they were Russians, but I cannot say so for certain. They were signalling one another and with powerful searchlights spied out every one of our fleet. “Suddenly one of the warships be gan firing at our boats. We at first supposed they were blank shots and the boatswain of the Tomtit, which was close in, held two big fish out at arm’s length. Some say he was offer ing them to the Russians in fun and others that he meant to acquaint the Russians with the fact that we were peaceful fishermen and not disguised enemies. In any case there was no mistaking our occupation, for we were close enough for the Russians to see that our men were all engaged in gut ting fish. “When we releaved that the Russians were firing shot and that men were being wounded, all be came terror and confusion. Nets were cut away. Steam was gotten up and the trawlers hurried away as fast as possible. “Judging by the rapidity of the shots, they were from quick-firing guns. I have seen some of the shots embedded in boats. They are about the diameter, but not the length, of a big cucumber, and with brass heads. “What with the darkness, the rain, and the glare of searchlights we were unable to identify the warships. After about half an hour the firing sud denly ceased and the fleet steamed away speedily in the direction of the English channel.” Capt. Peaker confirms the details of the fate of the trawler Crane and her crew and speaks with intense indig nation of the conduct of the Russians. He says: “It is impossible that we could have been taken for anything but trawlers. 1 can only imagine that the Russians lost their heads and blazed away in confusion and when they discovered their mistake steamed off.” From interviews with members of trawler crews it appears that the ad miral of the fishing fleet burned green flares to show that they were harm less fishermen, but these signals were ignored. Eighteen injured men are here un der treatment. One trawler, the Wren, is missing, and it is feared she has been sunk. ENGLISH OUTRAGED BY THE ACT OF WAR. So They Ressrd It and Talk of nn Ultimatum. London, Oct. 24.—Foreign Minister Lansdowne and M. Benckdendorff, the Russian ambassador, both were out of town yesterday and all the govern ment offices in London were olosed as usual on Sunday; therefore, no offi cial view could be gleaned of the fir ing by Russian war vessels upon a British fishing fleet in the North sea. The first reports of the affair re ceived in London were regarded as almost Incredible. When, however. Continued on Fifth Page. JAPANESE WITH SPOIL OF BATTLE. ‘———‘' ’ '- - ; '' 1 .■ ... JACK FROST WILL FORCE A BATTLE THEY MUST FIGHT AGAIN FOR NEITHER ARMY CAN WINTER WHERE IT NOW IS. Midway Ground Between Mukden and Lino Yang- Ini|rnetienlle for Wintering—Remains to He Seen Which Army Will Retreat—lnci dentN Showing Bravery of the ItiisNinnn Are Coming to Light at Mukden. So far as the dispatches from the Far East show, there has been no change in relative positions of the hostile armies confronting each other on the line of the Shakhe river. There is an unconfirmed report that a Russian force of 20,000 men has been concentrated at Kauta pass twenty miles northeast of Liao Yang, which may be indica tive of the direction in which Ku ropatkin is likely to strike his next blow. Upwards of 20,000 of the Russian soldiers wounded in the battle of the Shakhe have reached Harbin. Cold weather is causing suffering to the armies in the field, although it has wrought an improvement in the conditions for the movement of troops. A report has reached St. Peters burg, but lacks confirmation, that the Port Arthur fleet has left its anchorage in the harbor and has taken up a position in the read stead. Mukden, Oct. 23, via Pekin.—WJille no pitched battle has occurred during the last few days, the two armies are kept in touch with each other, hold ing the positions they occupied when the big battle ended. There Is no evi dence the Russian army will rush north, as was the case after the bat tle at Liao Yang. In fact, the Rus sians have another line of defense to fall back on In the event that they are forced out of their present posi tions. During the last few days there has been frequent artillery fire, occasional infantry attacks and daily clashes be tween outDosts and scouts. Unless the Japanese take the initia tive soon, the Russians, it Is expected, will assume the offensive. Another big battle is expected short ly, as the weather is already turning cold. It will be Impracticable for the two armies to winter in their present positions midway between Mukden and Liao Yang. Many incidents are coming to light showing the bravery of the Russian soldiers during thtfir stubborn resist ance to the Japanese advance and in their attempts to drive the Japanese drive. The men fought night and day without rest and afterward work ed for hours carrying the wounded to hospitals. When the Russian troops recaptured Lone Tree Hill they re took several guns and a quantity of ammunition which the Japanese had previously captured. They also took several guns In addition. At the conclusion of the fight the hill was covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. The Japa nese prisoners were treated by the Russians with the greatest kindness. At one hospital visited by the Asso ciated Press correspondent Japanese privates were found In the, officers’ ward. The army and the Rod Cross societies did splendid work. The Russian commissariat also was admirably handled. Portable soup kitchens were most useful, being tak en under fire to feed the men. I'lMtlion.il Its Enforcement. Tien Tsln, Oct. 23, 7 p. m.—The Ger man consul here has received a tele gram from Peking Informing him that Prince China has postponed the enforcement of the trademark law. SAVANNAH. GA.. MONDAY. OCTOBER 2'. 1904. HOSTILE ARMIES ARE STILL FACING EACH OTHER. IlUHxiuiiM nml Japanese Are Iluxy With lloaiibiirtlnieiitH. St. Petersburg, Oct. 24. 2:05 a. m.— There is no change in the relative po sitions of the armies on the Shakhe river. Gen. Sakharcjff telegraphs that the Russians have (been bombarding Lamutln and the Biddhist temple at Linshinpu, while tie Japanese have been shelling the Rissian position at Shakhe and near Linshinpu. An Associated Press dispatch from Mukden reports that the Japanese are fortifying an import int flight south of Shakhe, and that nether side shows a disposition either to advance ol to re tire. Another Associate I Press dispatch from the Russian front says the situ ation is not yet ripe for the resump tion of the offensive. This meager, but significant, admission, all that the cen sor allows to pass over the wires, doubtless indicates that Gen. Kuro patkin is maturing important plans and distributing his forces in readiness for another attempt to break the Japa nese resistance. The roads are now dried by wind and frost; the cold is intense and flooded fields have been frozen. Thus military movements are facilitated, though at the same time it will be more difficult to carry on en trenching work. An Associated Press dispatch from the Russian front gives a rumor that the Russian force has made a detour to the west, arriving abreast of Liao Yang, but there is no confirmation of this report. Great importance is attached to a report from Tokio that 200 Russians have crossed the Taitse river east of Bensibu and that 20,000 are concentrated at Kauta pass, twen ty miles northeast. This may indicate the direction of Kuropatkin’s next blow, or possibly it is intended to disconcert the Japanese and compel them to weaken their force on the railroad. Whatever Kuropat kin’s ultimate object may be there is no doubt that he is desirous of obtain ing the most reliable information as to the number and disposition of the force opposing his eastern flank. The Cossacks may be relied upon to harass the Japanese line of communication be sides reconnoitering. Gen. Kuropatkin is with the center of his army. On Oct. 21, he personally conveyed the congratulations of Emperor Nicholas to Col. Poutlloff and the Nineteenth Rifles for the capture of Lone Tree hill. • The Japanese estimate that the Rus sian losses in the battle of Shakhe amount to 60,000 is not confirmed here. A telegram from Harbin reports the passage north of 20,000 wounded. The remainder, who are quartered in hos pitals at Mukden, cannot exceed a few thousands. JAPA NES E ESTI MAT E OF THE RUSSIAN DEAD. Total of 1 0,.-,r,0 Found on the Field and Burled, Tokio, Oct. 23, 9 a. m.—Manchurian headquarters, reporting by telegraph, yesterday, says that the number of Russian dead found on the battlefield and Interred up to Oct. 22 makes a to tal of 10,550. Upon this total Russian casualties are estimated to exceed 60,- 000. The Japanese captured a total of forty-five guns during the Shakhe ope rations. The report of the Man churian headquarters follows: “The enumerated spoils, etc., of the battle of Shakhe follow: “Prisoners, about 600; enemy's dead left on the field, 10,500; 45 guns, 37 ammunition wagons, 6,920 shells, 5,474 rifles, 78,000 small arms ammunition, numbers of swords, shovels, axes and tents. Besides the enumerated proper ty the uncounted property extending over twenty-five miles will reach an enormous quantity. “The enemy’s dead Is being Interred with military honors. “According to the number of dead, the Russian casualties are estimated at over 60.000.” FORCES ENGAGED IN AN ARTILLERY DUEL. St. Petersburg, Oct. 2*.—Lieut. Gen. Sakharoff, in a dispatch dated Oct. 22, says: “There is no serious fighting, but there has been a desultory artillery duel throughout the day. The Russian batteries bombarded the portion of the village of Linshinpu occupied by Japanese, as well as Khakhe station and the village of Latnutlng, while Cent'nued on Fifth Page. POPE CHARGES IT TO FREEMASONS THINKS COMBES’ VICTORY WAS DT E TO THEIIi INFLUENCE IA FRANCE. It Is Die VaDcna View That Die Freemason* Are Determined to llrliiu: About Die Separation of CHureli and State With the View of Destroy! iik All Religious Feel ing la France—Pope Plus Sur prised by Combes' Majority. Rome, Oct. 23.—Pope Pius X was up almost the whole of last night waiting for telegrams from Mgr. Montagnini, auditor of the papal nunciature of Paris, about the discus sion in the French Chamber of Dep uties. His holiness was not surprised at the statement and speech of Premier Combes, which were much ns had been expected, but he had not thought from private information he had re ceived that the Premier’s majority in the chamber would be so large as it was. The Pope and his entourage at tribute the new success of Premier Combes to the influence of the Free masons. who, according to reports re ceived at the Vatican, are determined to bring about the separation of church and state In order to be freer to undertake a campaign with the ob ject of destroying all religious feeling In France. When the news was received the Pontiff exclaimed “God's will be done.” POLITICAL DISPUTE ENDED IN DEATH. Affray Occurred After Services af the Church, Huntington, W. Va.. Oct. 23.—Within half an hour after the benediction had been pronounced at the close of serv ices in the little church near Mill Creek on the Big Sandy river to-day, William Kennedy, who had listened to the sermon, was dead and Henry Wellman was fatally stabbed. The tragedy was the result of a po litical argument in which a half doz en members of the congregation en gaged after leaving the church. Ralph Wellman, who had taken a leading part in the dispute, is said to have shot Kennedy. MAN WITHA BOMB WAS HIS OWN VICTIM. I'ollceinen mid Civilians Injured by llie Explosion. Berlin, Oct. 24.—A telegram from Blalystok, government of Grodno, Oct. 19, says: “This evening a man about 20 years old and attired as a workman, en tered the office of the prefect of police and threw a bomb. The terrific explo sion which followed killed the miscre ant and Injured some policemen and civilians.” LOTTERY TICKETS WERE SEIZED IN NEW YORK. Itepresrnlntlvrs of Jerome Hade a Series of Raids. New York, Oct. 23.—1n a series of raids, representatives of District At torney Jerome’s office to-day seized SIOO,OOO worth of lottery tickets hero and arrested six men and one woman, all residents of the lower East Side, charged with selling lottery tickets at wholesale to ticket peddlers. Most of them ostensibly sold “steamship tick ets.” though one advertised his place of business as a real estate office and an other was the proprietor of a dry goods store. SEVERE EARTHQUAKE. London, Oct. 23.—Dispatches re ceived here from various points re port a rather severe earthquake and much damage to property throughout Scandinavia and Denmark, about 11:30 o'clock this morning. Thus far, how ever, no futalltlue have been reported. NATIONAL DEMOCRACY CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS Committee Sees Bright Promise in the Outlook. Majorities in New Yorh, New Jersey. Connecticut. Maryland. Delaware, West Virginia and Indiana Regarded as Certain. New York. Oct. 23.—A statement was given out to-day by the Democratic; National Committee, after a consulta tion between Thomas Taggart, chair man; W. F. Sheehan, chairman of the Executive Committee, and Deiancey Nicoll, vice chairman for the East. It says: “We have made no formal statement concerning the political situation be fore tills time because the materials upon which alone a correct judgment could bo formed were not at hand. “Our efforts during the past three months have been devoted to the task of organizing and harmonizing the par ty in the states hitherto considered doubtful by reason of former dissen sions. That work Is now finished, and it Is possible for the first time to reach a conclusion based upon a systematic convass which can never be satisfac torily made until after organization is completed and the campaign has well progressed. Iln riial Difference*. “In every state and In nil sections Democrats have buried their differ ences and are working harmoniously and enthusiastically for the ticket. Our canvdss allows that scarcely any where is there a trace of the dissen- PRINCE FUSHIMI HAS SAILED FOR AMERICA. Departed from Yokohama Amid Great Fol li iihliimiii. Yokohama, Oct. 23.—Lieut. Gen. Prince Fushitni, special imperial en voy to the St. Louis Exposition, sail ed to-day witli his suite on the steam er Manchuria for .San Francisco, amid great enthusiasm. Prince Fushlml was attended "from Tokio by officials of the imperial household, the American minister, Lloyd C. Grlseom, and the entire American legation staff in uniform. Arriving at Yokohama, the Prince and his party proceeded to a detached im perial palace, escorted by the gover nor of the province, the Mayor of Yokohama and city officials, and by the American consular officials. Shortly afterwards Prince Fushlml embarked in the presence of an im mense crowd amid shouts of “Banzai” and "America.” BROTHER OF EMPEROR COMES TO SHAKE HANDS. Ills Imperial High ness Wnnl to ■lrina Die Countries Closer. Washington, Oct. 23.—1 t was stated authoritatively to-day that the pur pose of the Emperor of Japan in send ing on a visit to this country his adopted brother, His Imperial High ness Prince Fushlma, who will reach Kan Francisco about the middle of November, is to strengthen by every appropriate means the traditional friendship between the United States and Japan. Mr. Kogoro Takahira, the Japanese minister at Washington, in a conversation at the legation to night with a correspondent of the As sociated Press said: "To attribute the visit of his Impe rial highness to the so-called change In American feeling, as represented by some newspapers, is entirely a guess' from wild imagination. The Prince’s visit to this country was orig inally brought into consideration as long ago as last spring, but as It was a part of its object to see the World's Fair at St. Louis, it was considered advisable to defer it to the autumn, when the exhibits would be In a more complete form for observation and for that reason this time was chosen for his visit, but there Is, of course, no question about the principal object of his visit being to strengthen there by the tie of genuine friendship so happily existing between the United States and Japan In a most appro priato manner, but not in nuoh ‘patch work’ fashion as has been represented in some quarters. “His highness will maintain his of ficial status as Imperial Prince only at Washington and St. Louis, but In all other cities he will travel incognito. This Is another evidence that he Is not coining here to start a ‘boom.’ as has been reported. After his visit to the World’s Fair, he will quietly visit the educational, commercial and industrial centers of this country, such as Bos ton. Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburg and Chicago. "As to the so-called change in Amer ican sentiment in favor of Japan, in my opinion, so long as Japan has nothing In her motive or action to re flect on her that may be considered prejudicial to the legitimate Interest of nil nations, she has no fear of losing the friendship of any people, and even If there should occur some deviation In this sentiment through misunder standing or on account of mischievous agencies, such misunderstanding soon must disappear, inasmuch as there is no real ground for Its existence.” The Prince, In addition to a dinner by the President t the White House, will be given a round of official enter tainments. It is probable the Prince's tour will Include a visit to West Point, he already having fought with distinc tion In the Far Eastern war. Trial f Srlmuamna. Helsingfors. Finland, Oct. 23.—-The trial of former Senator ffehaumann, father of Eugene Hchaumann, the as sassin of M. Bobrik off, governor gen eral of Finland, on the charge of com plicity In the crime of his son, bus been set for Oct. 2. t CENTS A COPT DAILY, ii A YEAR. WEEKLY 2-TIMEB-A WEEK *1 A YEAR stons which for the past eight years have unhappily divided the party. In the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Indiana. Maryland, Del aware and West Virginia, and In many of the Western States our or ganization is now more complete and effective than ever befove in the his tory of the party. 'Candidates for Governor who stand for the very high est type of citizenship and represent popular local Democratic issues in all these doubtful states are greatly aid ing the national ticket by their ener getic campaign. WIlUt They Expect t Carry. "Our canvass shows that we shall certainly carry by good majorities the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut. Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Indiana, and that in addition to these electoral votes, we shall have the majority, if not all, of the electoral votes of the Rocky Mountain states. It Is impossible at this Juncture to predict the outcome In Wisconsin. “Illinois must also be classed in the doubtful column, for, although this moment our canvass there is imper fect. It is sufficiently advanced to in dicate an unmistakable Republican defection.” KILLED BY A POLICEMAN I . Convict Guard Was Shot In the De pot at Macon. Macon, Oct. 23.—Joe Davis, who Is a chalngang guard of Monticello, ran amuck In the white waiting room at the Union Depot this morning and us the resqlt he now lies dead. Special Officer Hergeman Is at the t’lty Hospital In an unconscious con dition. and Police Officer Robert Grif fin has a club wound on the head and three fingers broken. Officer Griffin did the shooting and was exonerated by a verdict of the coroner’s Jury. DavlH arrived at the depot at 5 o’clock and won* into the waiting room In n drunken condition. He was riotous and the occupants celled for assistance. Officer Bargeman answer ing their call, Davis took away the officer’s club and dealt him two blows over the head. Bergeman ran Into the street and there fell on the pave ment. Davis rushed out of the room, flourishing his club and cursing. Just at this time Officer Griffin ar rived. He also was dealt a blow over the head which caused him to stag ger. Another blow broke three fin ger* of his left hand. Davis was still advancing on him when he fired, the bullet taking efTect Just above the heart, causing death two hours later. No one attaches any blame to the act of the officer, who displayed re markable nervs. FDLITICAIToIJTLO'O'K THREATENING IN CHINA. Alleged to Be Worse Than Before the Boxer Outbreak. London, Oct. 24.—Bennett Burleigh, after a careful inquiry into the situa tion, cables the Dally Telegraph from Hhanghal that the political outlook In China is worse now that prior to the “Boxer” outbreak In 1900. Widespread operations of secret so cieties. he says, show a dangerous re crudescence of anti-foreign feeling. Drilling of large bodies of well-equip ped troops is proceeding night and day In many districts of southern and mid northern provinces, and the Chinese authorities are buying wholesale all kinds of military equipments and stores. Doth Fairbanks and Bryan. Wheeling, W. Va., Oct. 23.—Wheel ing to-day entertained the Republican candidate for Vice President, Charles W. Fairbanks, and the Democratic na tional standard bearer of two cam paigns, W. J. Bryan of Nebraska. Both leave to-morrow for Ohio to re sume campaigning. Col. Bryan to-night called at the McLure House to pay his respects to Senator Fairbanks, but the latter had left a few minutes before to board his special car for the night. Meeting Postponed. Joliet. 111., Oct. 23.—James H. Ferris, national chairman of the People’s party, announced to-night that the meeting of “Bryan Democrats," and “Silver Re publicans,” called to be held In Chicago. Oct. 25, has been postponed until after the coming election. Mr. Ferris states that If any of the 7,000 persons to whom invitations to the meeting were sent shall come to Chicago he will meet them at the Briggs House on the date originally named for the convention. Darker Will Speak. Bsopus, N. Y., Oct. 23.—Judge Par ker will make another speech to a New York delegation to-morrow. Rep resentative Democrats from St. Law rence county and two or three other delegations including the Business Men’s Parker and Davis League Of New Tork city, will arrive at Esopus early In the afternoon. The subject of the address has not been mods pub lic.