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Newspaper
Heppner Times
Location
Heppner, Oregon, United States of America
Date
Feb 18, 1904
Page
6
Comprehensive day by day digest notes turmoil in the Balkans, Russia and Japan war moves, China neutrality, Baltimore fire aid, and political shifts in Pennsylvania. Reports include Port Arthur, Vladivostok, and Yalu river actions, ships damaged, and calls for militia. Senator Hanna improves.
In Washington February 15 the federal grand jury hears testimony in the Benson Hyde land fraud cases. A clerk in the general land office admitted aiding Benson by supplying advance forest reserve information and accepting $100 from the washstand. He later used a confederate to gain more funds as Benson pressed for inside details.
Survivors from the Russian cruisers Varing and Korietz, sunk by Japan near Chemalpo, remain aboard British Talbot Italian Elba and French Pascal as Japan demands surrender. Russians aboard Vicksburg argue for honoring clemency. Russian losses include one officer and 49 men killed and 464 wounded.
London report cites Pekin correspondent on Boxer era claims inflating Russian troop numbers to 179000 for indemnity talks. It notes actual forces will be under 100000 with officers expecting war to be avoided. Dispatches from Tokio mention Japanese troops at Seoul and a Liaoyang massacre causing Shanxi officials to seek Pekin protection.
Chefoo February 13 More than half the Russian officers at Port Arthur blame Admiral Alexieff for the disaster citing his neglect of combat preparations and focusing on dispatches to St Petersburg. A supporter even called for recall court martial and execution for incompetency as land forces falter and a Japanese assault looms threatening Russia’s fortress.
Wil Deferd Meraris reports from Copenhagen on February 15 that Britain asked Denmark if it would defend its neutrality and block important routes. Denmark replied it would defend itself. The note suggests Britain fears Russia could seize Danish possessions. The war department orders army reserves to be ready for mobilization if Russo-Italian Far East tensions escalate.
Oswego New York February 13 a massive starch factory owned by Corn Products Co three buildings the largest of its kind in the world caught fire in the chemical room by 11 pm the flames were under control with the building only burning one million dollar loss. Firemen from Oswego Kingsfordville and aid from Fulton and Syracuse fought the blaze 3 engines 26 men from Syracuse joined. Fireman Dougherty and Evans were injured Dougherty fatally by a fall from a roof. Twenty five workers narrowly escaped. The burning complex housed hundreds of thousands of bushels of starch and corn. Six hundred employees were laid off.
Tokyo reports Japan has landed thousands of troops at Chomulpo and Gensan as Russian forces cross the Yalu toward Seoul. Officials expect a major battle with Russia in Corea, with Tokyo pushing for broader landings and intensified hostilities along the front.
Official report from London dated February 10 describes the Chemulpo encounter as the Russian gunboat Korietz firing on a Japanese torpedo boat near port before retreating to anchorage. Admiral Ito demands Russian vessels leave Chemulpo by noon, drills begin outside Polynesian island, and after an hour of fighting the Russians withdraw, later sinking the Korietz by self-destruction. No Japanese casualties are reported.
London reports Minister Hay as saying engagements at Port Arthur and Chemulpo were long standing. Once forces land in Korea, a major fleet action at Port Arthur is expected. Russian vessels lie near island batteries, possibly to shell them with high-angle fire. The Russian admiral may choose to come out, like Cervera, and Japan will not regard Manchuria as neutral while Russian troops remain in China.
Washington reports drastic measures will be taken to end the Santo Domingo chaos. Continued violations of international law and destruction of American property have led officials to authorize naval action under Rear Admiral Wise, with Moody issuing supplementary instructions granting him wide latitude in operations.
An official Telegram from Port Arthur dated February 12 reports the Yahta ships off Inkau on February 16 and that six Japanese battleships appeared near Tatung King at the mouth of the Yalu River opposite the Korean port of Wwil. The message notes cannon booms heard in the area.
Dispatches from Toulon report orders issued to mobilize additional troops for service in Indochina. Official statements say France does not expect a Japanese attack on home soil, but insist on readiness for all emergencies.
Backwater from the gorge from Mc Call's Ferry to Bainbridge on the Susquehanna River covered the Pennsylvania railroad tracks at Bainbridge to a depth of three feet. Four freight trains were stalled as water slowly receded after reaching a record mark in June 188?. The station area remained flooded, making the situation the most serious Bainbridge had faced.
Secretary May sent a note on integrity and territoriality of China to the powers, delivered to the German Government by Foreign Secretary Wong. The Associated Press reports Germany is likely to accept proposals that localize the conflict and avoid new international disputes, a move viewed as prudent.
Botton reports Dr Samuel Abbott of the water board of health announced that by manufacturing its own antidote the Commonwealth saved $405000 in source. An expert during that year 159000 bottles of anti-toxin were distributed free costing $1500. Initiatives were sent to Chicago to adopt the Massachusetts idea instead of buying supplies.
In Baltimore on February 13, workers cleared streets to ease wagon traffic as debris from a major blaze is removed. The mayor and city officials held a meeting pressing the legislature to request federal forces to protect the burned district during reconstruction.
News from Havana reports mixed reactions to Port Arthur engagement. European papers condemn Japan for alleged war law breaches while praising audacity and naval prestige. Russian officials anticipate a naval defeat but foresee land victory and expect neutrality proclamations from other states.
Washington lawmakers step forward as three congressmen press bills to split the state into judicial districts to handle swelling federal court business. Cushman proposes north and south districts with Seattle and Spokane in the north and Tacoma plus Walla Walla in the south. Jones urges east and west divisions separated by the Cascades, while Humphrey seeks one district for the northwest including King County and a second district for the rest of the state.
Fourteen people die and more than twenty are injured after a collision near Sand Point Bay on the Canadian Pacific line between two passenger trains. The west bound train reportedly failed to stop at Band Point amid orders, with conductor Nidd admitting the engineer had stop orders but did not obey. Ten victims were passengers.
Baltimore will enter the task of resurrection, Mayor McLane told the Associated Press. A greater and more beautiful city will arise from the calamity, and the effort will honor the American spirit through rehabilitation by all citizens and energy of the city.
Wilkenbarre Pa February 12 The Kusquehanne river began rising and communication with the outside world was cut off. Water stood 24 feet above the low water mark. In Plymouth 200 families evacuated their homes and 100 silk workers were evacuated from factories. Authorities forecast the water would reach 27 feet as it rose rapidly, affecting Bloomeburg Berwick and nearby areas.
Smily Mall correspondent reports a major bridge on the Mancherarka line blown up near London. Ninety men were killed in the disaster, with reports of extensive damage to railway infrastructure and casualties.
London reports from Tokio that Japanese forces have intercepted three transports of the Russian volunteer fleet. The convoy carried about 2,000 troops and was attacked off the coast.
The United States transport Sherman is scheduled to wait for Manila on March 1 carrying the Twelfth infantry and 400 cavalry recruits. Transports Buford Crook Meade and Warren are in port ready to depart for the Philippine emergency.
Tokio reports Japanese forces engaged two Russian ships at Chemulpo. Engagement started before dawn and lasted into the evening. One Russian vessel reportedly sunk and the other destroyed, with some crew escaping to shore and being captured. Japanese ships appear slightly damaged. official confirmation unavailable.
Dispatches report Japanese 8,000 reinforcements land at Chemulpo as Varyag and Korlets retreat unshot. Russian ships icebound at Vladivostok while General Kranztalinsky heads toward the Yalu with 24 guns and 3 infantry regiments. Troops dig in along rail near Huileheng. Kinchou batteries deployed. Ammunition and new recruits poured out amid feverish paced drills.
A massive blaze in Baltimore caused widespread devastation across 76 blocks, destroying 9,500 buildings and affecting millions in insured losses. Insurance firms dispatched special agents as the city faces months of adjustment and workers anticipate displacement.
Rupelate Excited, St. Petersburg wires report that Japan has begun hostilities by torpedoing the Kuselan ship at Port Arthur, sparking intense excitement. Early morning editions carried the Official Messenger with the news, dispelling any hope that war could be averted, as details awaited.
The Senate approved the diplomatic consular appropriation with no debate. Senator Overman of North Carolina spoke on his likely vote when the consular treaty is ratified. Carmack and Transill proposed a 5 million dollar appropriation for an extromichery project at Jamestown Virginia in 1907. Maynard introduced a duplicate of Daniel's bill.
In Baltimore on February 11 the Continental tram company vaults were opened at noon revealing undamaged currency and bonds. Assistant United States Treasurer Dryden stated the bank will continue operations despite a 10 day holiday period.
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