At this point in Captain Fry’s speech there were loud shouts of approval, in the midst of which could be heard the voice of Gus Figgey ringing out in strident tones, “Hot stuff, Cap.”
“And now what is a-goin’ to happen?” resumed Captain Fry. “I will tell you. Japan is a-goin’ to land a couple regiments on this what’s-its-name peninsula, destroy the railway, and cut the line of communication to Port Arthur. Then she can plant her siege guns on the hills back of the town and throw in a few hundred ton of grape and canister until the garrison capitulates. Then the Japs can march up through Manchoory, capture the Siberian railway and in six weeks capture St. Petersburg. The Japs already have Sayool down yonder in Corea, and can bombard the Yayloo River when they’re a mind to.”
Many of the audience congratulated Captain Fry on his address, and assured him that they now could intelligently follow the news from the war.
—J. OSCAR FISHER, in the _Bird Center Argosy_.
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A BIRD CENTER VIEW ON THE RUSSIAN-JAPANESE WAR
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THE WAR CORRESPONDENT AND THE STORY OF THE BATTLE ]
THE PRESS CENSOR AND THE STORY OF THE BATTLE ]
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WABASH, IND., JULY 27—(SPECIAL)—Chris Newbower and Gus Nelson, two prominent citizens of this city, report having sighted the Vladivostok squadron last evening, steaming slowly down the Wabash River. Both men are citizens of considerable veracity, one having formerly been the circulation manager of the Wabash _Palladium_ and the other a prominent politician. People here are inclined to credit the report. Mr. Newbower states positively that he saw three large ships steaming so near that he could distinctly see the masts. Mr. Nelson saw six ships, having probably looked twice. Intense excitement prevails here as there is a neutral river flatboat nine weeks overdue. It is feared the Russian ships may have overtaken it.
HENDERSON, KY., JULY 27—(SPECIAL)—Col. Bunker H. Breckenridge, who is spending the summer at his home in this city, reports having seen the Vladivostok squadron lying off the Kentucky shore of the Ohio yesterday afternoon. The colonel doesn’t remember the number of ships but says the number corresponded with that of the Russian fleet. The report can be easily verified, says the colonel, by his grandson who also witnessed the squadron. Great excitement prevails and the matter is the topic of general conversation. The sheriff is organizing a posse of colonels to guard the city in case local shipping is threatened.