VOLUME 1. NUMBER 248.
Paris, Feb. 10.^-It -waB imnouncea
at the French foreign office during the
afternoon that the Russian cruiser
Pallada was sunk in the torpedo at
^ick made by the Japanese on the Rus
sian fleet off Port Arthur. The in
juries sustained fey the Hetvizan and
Czarevitch are not known.
It was reported on the same author
ity that the cable from Vladivostock
has been cut.
*St Petersburg, Feb. 10.An official
dispatch received here-says that Jap
anese torpedo boats have attacked
the Russian squadron in the outer
reads at Port Arthur and that three
Russian ships were damaged. Ad
miral AlexielTs official report of tne
attack by the Japanese is-as follows:
"1 most respectfully inform your
majesty that at or about midnight of
Feb. 8-9 Japanese torpedo boats made
a sudden attack by means of mines
upon the Russian squadron in the
outer roads of the fortress of Port
Arthur, in which the battleships Ret
Tizan and Czarevitch and the cruiser
Pallada were damaged. An inspec
tion Is being made to ascertain the
character of the damage. Details are
following for your majesty."
Port Arthur, Feb. 10.Japanese tor
pedo boats attacked the Russian fleet
here during the night and three of the
Russian ships were badly damaged.
The Japanese, who thus scored the
first success of the war, escaped un
damaged.
In consequence of the attack by the
Japanese torpedo boats, martial law
has been proclaimed here.
RUSHING W AR PREPARATIONS.
Japanese Move Arouses the Russian
Officials.
St. Petersburg Feb. 10.The news
that Japan had duplicated her tactics
at the opening, of the Chino-Japanese
war by a torpedo attack on the Rus
sian ships off Port Arthur created in
tense excitement after the bare an
nouncement from Viceroy Alexieff. De
tails are anxiously awaited. Extra
editions of the morning papers, print
ed early in the forenoon after the ap
pearance of the Official Messenger,
conveyed the intelligence to the popu
lation of the capital and dispelled any
lingering hopes that war could be
averted.
The czar and his ministers, who had
been informed immediately of the re
ceipt of Viceroy Alexieff's telegram,
accepted the gage and prepared to face
the reality of war. The czar's mani
festo declaring a state of war to exist
is expected to be issued shortly.
Feverish activity reigned at all the
ministeries and war preparations
were pushed in all directions.
The Russian Red Cross society has
sent 2,000 beds to the Far East and
Sisters of Mercy are leaving.
TW O TRANSPORTS CAPTURED
OFF THE COAS O KORE A
Transports Loaded With Two Thousand
Russian Troops Are Reported
Captured.
London, Feb. 10.The Japanese minister here has received
official notification of the destruction of the first class Russian
cruiser Variagand the third class cruiser Korctz by Japanese tor-
pe'do boats last night. The cruisers were destroyed off the
Korean coast, a short distance from Chemulpo. The torpedo
%oats escaped unharmed,
CAPTURE OF TRANSPORTS REPORTED.
Tokio, Feb. 10.Information has been received here to the
effect that Japan9se cruisers last night captured three transports
Ol the Russian volunteer fleet conveying about two thousand troops
off the Korean coast.
During February we
will give a decorated
dinner plate with
every $2 purchase
FREE
TTTTTTT
TWO CRUISERS DESTROYED
Japanese Torpedo Boats Destroy Russian Cruis-
ers at Chemulpo Last
Night.
xne temper o? me people, wmcn was
Indicated in the great personal demon
stration accorded to their majesties
at the Imperial Opera House Monday
evening, the audience rising and sing
ing "God Save the Czar and Give Him
Victory," was further manifested after
the arrival of the news from Port Ar
thur in the crowds of volunteers who
besieged the general staff offices
The naval reserves have been called
out.
The latest returns of Russian war
ships in the Far East total 94, includ
ing 8 battleships, 16 cruisers, 7 gun
boats and 56 torpedo boat destroyers
and torpedo boats. Three more battle
ships and nine torpedo boats are to go
to the Far East in the spring.
A STAGGERING BLOW.
British Believe Japanese Have Dealt
One to Russians.
London, Feb. 10.The naval men in
London regard the result of Japan's
first attack with torpedo boats on the
Russian fleet off Port Arthur as being
a staggering one- They pointed out
that Viceroy Alexieff's reference to
"mines" obviously meant "torpedoes"
and said that, if the Russian vessels
had been struck by "Whitehead tor
pedoes" they probably have been sunk
of are resting on the mud ifn Fort
Arthur, in any case hopelessly out of
action for a considerable time.
Baron Hayashi says the Japanese I
fleet is not likely to blockade Port Ar- i
thur. His knowledge of the Japanese
naval plans, as tentatively prepared,
leads him and others here to believe
that the Japanese fleet is now lying
between Chefoo and the Yalu river,
screening the landing of troops, one
army corps at Fusan and two at Pan
yang, Korea.
Night torpedo attacks by the Jap
anese fleet will, it is believed, be kept
up so long as the Russian fleet main
tains its necessarily open position out
side of Port Arthur. This will be done
in the hope of breaking up the Rus
sians' nerve.
The troops landing at Penyang will
be pushed toward the Manchurian
frontier. Those at Fusan will proceed
to Seoul.
CREATED CONSTERNATION.
News of Opening of War Startles
French Officials.
'axis, Feb. 10.The news of the
first Japanese attack with torpedo
boats on the Russian fleet off Port Ar
thur created consternation here. The
officials of the foreign office were
among the first to receive the informa
tion and their advices were similar to
those of the SL Petersburg Official
Gazette, showing that two Russian
battleships and one cruiser were dam
aged and also showing that four tor
pedo boats made the attack. An offi
cial of the foreign office said:
"It is profoundly to be regretted
that such a decisive step has been
taken, as it terminates the efforts the
powers might have made to avert
actual warfare."
SPRING GOODS
BEMIDJI, MINNESOTAi-
goods on our shelves. During the past week we have received partial shipments of Laces, Embroideries, Headings
and All Overs, Ginghams, Chambries, Waistings, Linen Suitings, Corsets, Hosiery, Gloves. Collars, Trimmings and
Men's Furnishing Goods, Carpets, Draperies*and Shoes. It was our intention to announce at this time the opening of
our Spring Line of Dress Goods, but the recent storms have delayed traffic to such an extent that we have not received
goods that were due here last "week."
information has been received nei
showing that the British government
will issue a declaration of neutrality
within a few days, perhaps immedi
ately, and that France will take the
same course within a day or two.
At a conference of ministers under
the presidency of M. Loubet Foreign
Minister Delcasse communicated the
news of the first Japanese r.ttaok with
torpedo boats on the Russian fleet off
Port Arthur and announced that the
French minister at Tokio had been in
structed to assure the protection of
Russian subjects and their interests
in Japan.
The naval engagement off Port Ar
thur is understood to have mainly oc
cupied the attention of the council of
ministers. The impression prevailed
that the three Russian ships torpedoed
are so disabled as to be unserviceable
for the remainder of the war, thus
placing the Russian fleet in a state of
manifest inferiority.
DARING AND SKILLFUL MOVE.
German Opinion of Japanese Attack at
Port Arthur.
Berlin, Feb. 10.Japan's initial suc
cess in the first attack with torpedo
boats on the Russian fleet off Port
Arthur produced a deep impression
both on the people and military and
naval critics here. Groups gathered
around the distributors of the "extras"
in the street's and read the news al
most with exclamations of gladness.
The comment at the marine depart
ment was that even the temporary
disablement of three warships placed
the Russians at a great disadvantage
in the future operations. It was add
ed that the torpedoing of the enemy's
vessels lying under powerful land
batteries must have been carried out
daringly and skillfully. As Viceroy
Alexieff did not mention any Japanese
losses in his first dispatch the com
mon talk of the naval officers was that
the Japanese have shown thatthey can
handle their ships better than the
Russians.
THE DAMAGED VESSELS.
Japs Attacked Three of Russia's Fin
est Ships.
New York, Feb. 10.The Russian
battleship Retvizan was built by the
Cramps at Philadelphia. She is of
12.700 tons displacement, .has 16,000
indicated horsepower and had a speed
of 18 knots per hour. Her armor is
of Krupp steel frcm 4 to 10 inches in
thickness and. her armament consists
of four 12-inch guns, twelve 6-inch
guns, twenty 3-inch guns and twenty
six smaller rapid fire guns.
The Czarevitch is a battleship of
13,110 tons, built in France. In arma
ment and speed she about equals the
Retvizan.
The Pallada is a cruiser of 6,630
tons. She was built in Germany and
was completed in 1302. Her arma
ment consists of six 6-inch guns, twen
ty 3-inch guns and eight 1.4-inch guns.
Her speed is estimated at 20 knots.
BRITISH OFFICER PROTESTS.
French Occupying Forts Evacuated by
Russians.
London, Feb. 10.A dispatch to
Reuter's Telegram company from Tien
tsin says:
A French transport with a battalion
of troops from Tonquin is hourly ex
pected at Shanhaikwang, in the gulf
of Liaotung, to garrison the -forts,
which are being vacated try the Rus
sians. It is reported that the tri-color
of France was hoisted there during the
morning and that the British officer
in charge at Shanhaikwang protested
against the French occupation. At
present there is only a single sentry
guarding the flag.
The British commander here has
proceeded to Shanhaikwang.
OFFER. COMES TOO LATE.
Russia Said to Be Willing to Concede
All Demands.
London, Feb. 10.The Japanese
minister, Baron Hayashi, said during
the afternoon:
"Russia is making desperate efforts,
through the various embassies, to
have the powers intervene. Russia
now is willing to concede anything, but
The Bemidji Daily Pioneer
TTTTVT^^r^r^'r'sr^^^r^T ^"vw"*
BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1904. TEN CENTS PER WEEK.
axe offer comes too mie.
Baron Hayashi added:
"I learn on good authority'that tho
reply Russia intended to send merely
reiterated all the cardinal points to
which Japan consistently objected."
China Will Remain Neutral.
Paris, Fob. 10.China, it is under
stood, has given official assurances
that she will immediately issue a dec
laration of neutrality. This is consid
ered highly important in view of the
possibility of Chinese, impressed by
the Japanese success at Port Arthur,
joining the Japanese.
Russian Mail Steamer Captured.
London, Feb. 10.A dispatch to
Renter's Telegram company from
Shanghai says, it is credibly reported
that the Russian mail steamer Mon
golia, which left Shanghai Sunday, has
been captured by the Japanese off
Shangtung peninsula.
Volunteer Cruiser Sails.
Odessa, Feb. 10.The Russian vol
unteer cruiser Tampov sailed during
day with a full cargo for the Far
East. The Russian steamers Kieff and
Vladimir are starting for the Far East
this week.
Japanese Fleet Sighted.
Chefoo. Feb. 10.The Japanese con
sul, formerly stationed at Dalny, who
has just returned here, says that ho
passed a Japanese fleet going in the
direction of Port Arthur.
NOTE TO THE POWERS
SECRETARY HAY SEEKS UNITED
ACTION UPHOLDING THE IN-
TEGRITY OF CHINA.
FAVORABLE RESPONSES LOOKED FOR
DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES IN WASH-
INGTON GREATLY STIRRED
UP OVER MATTER.
Washington, Feb. 10. Secretary
"Hay has addressed an identical note
to a number of European powers to
ascertain if they are willing to join in
a notice to Russia and Japan that dur
ing hostilities and thereafter the neu
trality and integrity of China must be
recognized. Details of the note are
not obtainable in advance of the re
ceipt of replies.
It is known, however, that exchanges
already have taken place which Justi
fies the state department in 'expecting
favorable responses to Its note. The
matter has created a great sensation
in diplomatic circles here.
It is further learned that the propo
sition of the United States contem
plates a restriction of hostilities and
the consequent hardships of war to
the smallest possible area. Just what
this means is not made clear to the
public, but the determination may have
the greatest effect upon the struggle
between Russia and Japan. It is al
most certain that neither will be al
lowed to invade China proper, mean
ing by that that they may not, with
hostile intent, go southward below
Shanhaikwan, on the border line be
tween Chili and Manchuria. It is a
grave question whether or not it will
apply also to Korea, which is striving
desperately to preserve neutrality and
prevent invasion, but the general
opinion is that it is too late in that
case to do more than to seek to pre
serve Korean Independence after the
war.
TO OBSERVE OPERATIONS.
United States Cruiser Squadron to Gc
to Chinese Waters.
Washington, Feb. 1^Orders will
be cabled \v Rear Admiral Ev&m.. to
send his cruiser squadron, consisting
of the Alliance, New Orleans, Raleigh
and Cincinnati, from Subig bay to
some point in Chinese waters yet to
be determined to observe the naval
operations. It Is expected the squad
ron can coal and get under way within
two days. Admiral Evans is expected
to keep the battleship squadron in
Philippine waters throughout the pe
riod of hostilities between Russia and
Japan. This decision was reached at
the cabinet meeting during the day
after long consideration. It has been
definitely settled that the cruiser
squadron will not go to Port Arthur.
-Admiral Evans is not instructed re
garding, his own movements, but it is
New idea fashion
sheets for March
now read
FREE
It's rather cold to be talking about
Spring Goods, but we are busy un
packing, marking and placing 11)04
Deueved in navai circles mat ne win
transfer his flag to the Albany and
proceed northward with the squadron.
TREASURY WI LL ASSIST.
Sends Money to Baltimore to Meet
Demands of Business.
Baltimore. Feb. 10.Despite the le
gal holidav of seven days declared by
Governor Warfield the United States
sub-treasury opened for business dur
ing the day under the directiou of the
secretary of the treasury and the
building has been converted Into a
military camp to avert any possible
attempt at looting or other disorders.
Secretary Shaw and Assistant Treas
urer A. Lincoln Dryden had a long
conference by telephone as a result of
which the treasury department will
send supplies of money to reinforce
the present resources of the sub-treas
ury and this money will be added to
from time to time to any amount need
ed to meet the demands of the busi
ness interests of Baltimore, so sudden
ly crippled of banking facilities.
FAVORABLE TO BRYAN.
Two Decisions Handed Down in Ben
nett Will Case.
New Haven, Conn., Feb. 10.In two
decisions handed down during the day
Judge Thayer, in the superior rouri.j
sustains counsel for William J. Bryan
in certain contentions growing out ot
the refusal of the probate court to ad
mit to probate as a part of the will of
the late P. S. Bennett the sealed let
ter giving $50,OOD to Mr. Bryan..
One decision sustains a demurrer
entered by counsel for Mr. Bryan to a
plea in abatement filed in behalf of
Mrs. Bennett, widow of the testator,
from Mr. Bryan's appeal from the pro
bate court's doclslon. The oilier de
cision overrules a motion by counsel
for Mrs. Bennett and other heirs to
expunge certain portions of the answer
of Mr. Bryan to the appeal brought by
Mrs. Bennett.
REYES GOING TO PARIS.
Wants to Be There When Question of
Canal Rights Sale Comes Up.
New York, Feb. 10.General Reyes,
the newly elected president of Colom
bia, will sail today for Paris. General
Reyes said last night:
"I feel it my duty to be present in
Paris when the question of the sale
of the rights of the Panama Canal
company to the United States comes
before the proper French tribunal. To
me, the-matter.. Is very clear. Tho
Panama canal "company cannot trans
fer its rights to the United States
without the consent of Colombia, bo
cause Its contract entered into with
Colombia cannot automatically trans
fer itself to Panama province. That
province cannot substitute itself for
Colombia."
DUE TO DOMESTIC TROUBLES.
Prominent Phlladelphian Kills Wife
and Himself.
Philadelphia, Feb. 10.After a quar
rel about domestic matters Coionel K.
F. Floorckey, a veteran of the Civil
war and treasurer of the Cedar Ave
nue Improvement company, shot and
killed his wife, Dora, a fashionable
dressmaker, known also as Mine.
Floorckey, then fatally wounded him
self.
Mrs. Floorekey's death is believed
to have been instantaneous and her
husband died about two hours after
ward.
BRIEFS IN MERGER 8U1T.
Additional Documents Cover Transfer
of Case.
Washington, Feb. 10.In accord with
the requirements of the supreme court
of the United States, additional briefs
were filed Monday In the merger case
of the state of Minnesota against the
Northern Securities company. The
briefs cover only the point of removal
of the case from the state to the fed
eral courts.
NINE PERSONS KILLED
DISASTROUS COLLISION OF SOO
TRAINS NEAR 8AND POINT,
ONTARIO.
Ottawa, Ont, Feb. 10.A collision
occurred near Sand Point during the
day between the Soo train going eaHt
and a westbound Soo train, in which
nine persons were kflled and twelve
injured. The dead BO far as known
are: Engineer Joseph Jacoson, Ex
press Messengers Robertson and
Thompson, News Agent McMullen and
five passengers occupying second class
car, whose names have not been as
certained.
According to an official statement
given out by the Canadian Pacific com
pany the accident was due to the fail
ure of the crew of the westbound
train to regard orders to wait at Sand
Point for the other train.
SITUATION 18 SERIOUS.
Rise in Susquehanna River Evicts
Many Families.
Wilkesbarre, Pa., Feb. 10.The Sus
quehanna river began rising here dur
ing the day, after dropping three feet
during the night, and the situation is
growing serious.
Communication with the West Side
has been cut off. The water is now
twenty-four feet above -low water
mark. At Nanticoke the river and
Nanticoke creek have risen so that
street car traffic is suspended.
At Plymouth 200 families had to
leave their homes and 100 silk mill
girls were taken from the windows of
the factory in bo$tsjL^
LOSS IS $125,000,000
fNSURANCEMEN MAKE ESTIMATE
OF DAMAGE DONE BY BAL-
TIMORE BLAZE.
CONTENTS OF VAULTS UNSCORGHED
PAPER VALUED AT HUNDREDS
OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
FOUND INTACT.
NOT A LIFE LOST IN CATASTROPHE
GREAT CALAMITY REMARKABLE
IN THE ABSENCE OF SERI-
OUS ACCIDENTS.
Baltimore Feb. 10 After a meet
in?? of the representatives of Insur
ance companies it was announced that
thoy estimate tho loss at $125,0.00,000,
with insurance" to tho amount of $1)0,-
000.000.
An investigation of the ruins of sev
eral of the banks and trust companies
in the destroyed section disclosed the
fact that their vaults and contents are
absolutely intact. This discovery will
enormously reduce the estimated loss
es, revealing, as it did. that paper
amoiinting to hundreds of millions of
dollars in value is unscorched. The
aspect immediately assumed a bright
er tone, for It was this phase of the
situation that excited the gravest ap
prehensions for tho financial life of
some of the city's greatest concerns
depended upon the safety of vault con
tents. NOT A LIFE LOST IN DISASitn.
Big Baltimore Blaze Unique in One
Particular.
Baltimore. Feb. 10. With the great
fire which ate up property variously
estimated from $75,000,000 to $150.-
Otnf.OOO'srowly burning itself-aUt-iial
timore awoke during the morning to
face the grave questions of civic and
municipal readjustment. Confronting,
the mayor and his associates of the
city government arc the problems of
aid, tho acceptance or refusal of gen
erous offer of assistance from every
section of the country, policing of the
vast burnei! district where lies buried
untold treasure in warped vaults and
safes aud all the hundred minor
things that follow a calamity so stu
pendous that it is even yet hardly
fully realized.
Three regiments of s' ite militia in
fantry are on duty and Troop A ot
the state guard also has been called
into service. So thoroughly Is the po
licing of the city now systematized
that tho big force of federal troops
ordered here to assist the national
guard was not needed and after a con
ference with Brigadier General Rigga
Major General Corbln has returned to
New York and it is not probable that
a single federal soldier will be re*
talned In Baltimore.
Not a Life Lost in Disaster.
Probably never before has ther*
been a lire of such magnitude abso
lutely without.loss of life and so re
markably free from accidents. The
only person seriously injured was Ja*-
cob Inglelritz, a volunteer fireman
York. lJa.
was unconscious wheot
taken to the hospital. He soon re
vived, however, and is reported to be
suffering only from a broken leg and
minor Injuries. A careful round of
the hospitals reveals the fact that by
far. the greater part of the entries in
the books are simply for 'foreign
body in the eye." In this respect, as
in many others, the great blaze that
had the city in its grasp for twenty
seven terror full hours Is unique. His
tory affords no parallel to a calamity
so costly In treasure and so fortunate
ly free from loss of life or limb.
The day dawned cold and clear and
lacking wind. There was a decided
fall in temperature during the night
and by early morning the full gutters
of the lire district and the flooded
streets were turned to Ice. The cold,
however, is not intense enough to
cause suffering among the police, sol
diers and firemen on duty.
Vast Section Devastated.
With the exception of a few build
ings 140 acres of valuable city prop
erty Is devastated. During the early
morning hours several small fires
started among the ruins of the burned
buildings. Only debris, however, was
Jksft to be destroyed.
Of the great region swept by the
fire curiously enough no part was de
voted to residences, so the sheltering
of homeless is no part of the city's
problem. In the fire area are em
braced the financial district, a portion
of the wholesale district, an area
given over to brokers of various kinds
and a large shipping district along
the wharves. In the wholesale district
at the northwestern corner of the fire
zone were located many of the whole
sale dry goods merchants and manu
facturers of clothing, an important
Baltimore industry. Adjacent to thia
was a high class retail district with,
most of the principal jewelry, furni
ture and piano establishments.
Practically every office? building in
the city was destroyed, along with, the*
banks and trust companies in the
financial district, nearly every one o
these .being consumed.