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liar Ni} ii Russians Attempt to E'nvelop Japanese Outpost But Are Driven Off RUSSIANS DEFEATED. A despatch from 'l‘olxio says: It is officially reported that last Thursday night, the Japanese outposts ut Sliaotunkau repulsed a Russian atâ€" tack. At 3 a.m. a force of uncertain dimensions approached an outpost near the Sha River and the railway, but were immediately driven back. At 5 a. in. they renewed the attack port Arthur, on the Outpost north-east of the Sha River bridge. The Russian force graâ€" dually grew in strength, a battalion enveloping the outpost from the north~east and west simultaneously. There was a heavy rifle fire against Limuntun, but the Russians retired at dawn, leaving a large number of 'dead. The Japanese lost twenty slightly wounded. In the Hanchang district a detachment of Japanese encountered thirty or forty Russian cavalry fowards Sungshukau, who were repulsed with fifteen casualties. The Japanese detachment reached Shangtutze in the afternoon. J‘:APS LOSE SHIP. A despatch from Tokio says: _ The 'Japancsc cruiser Saiyen struck a mine and sank Nov. 30th. Fifteen ofâ€" ficers and 175 men were rescued. Capt. ’l‘ajima, and thirtyâ€"eight others went down with the ship. In the official report of the disaster the Navy Department says that the Saiycn, while coâ€"operating with the army in bombarding Port Arthur ‘ Nov. 30th, struck a Russian mine and was seen to be enveloped in smoke. The gunboat Akugi, which was also engaged in shelling Port Arthur. im- mediately ceased firing and went to 'the rescue of the Saiyen. Finding that the latter was filling rapidly the ‘Akagi anchored near the sinking ship and, co-operating with the other Japanese ships, launches succeeded in rescuing fifteen officers and 175 men. but Capt. Tajima and thirtyâ€"eight others Went down with the ship. BATTLESHIPS SUNK.’ A desuatch sent from Port Arflhur to Tokio on Thursday says that the battleship Peresviet's keel is on the bottom, and that 'her middle funnel is wrecked. The cruiser Pallada is beginning to list to port. The upper 'deck of the cruiser Dayan was set on fire and is still burning. The batâ€" .tleship Sevastopol is moored along- side a dock in the east harbor, where she is hidden from sight by the hills. The fire toâ€"day was directed to the Pallada, Bayan and Sevastopol. The Sin'~ing oi the battleship Poltava was due to the explosion of a. magazine aboard of her. She was hit only a few times. 1t is considered that as 20'3-Metre Hill commands the com- munications between the city and Liaotishan the Japanese will be able to prevent the Russians from making a, final stand at the latter place. A correspondent who is with the Japanese forces besieging Port Ar- thur, in describing the ihavoc wrought by the fire of the J apancse guns, says that in addition to the warships al- ready named as being sunk or dam- aged. the gunboats Giljak and Fusedâ€" neck have also been sunk. The tor- pedo boats alone are intact. It is reported that the Russian counter-attacks on 203-Metre Hill ceased on Dec. 5, and that the at- tackers have witlidraWn towards Ya- yangkau. The Russians have also slackened their opposition to the Ja- panese sappings of the eastern forts. The defenders are dwindling in num- ber. and are suffering from exhaus- pion. WILL SOON FALL. A despatch from Chefoo says: Ac- cording to Japanese officers from {the front, Dec. 20, will see Port ArUhur in their possession completely and Russian resistance on the Kwang- Tung peninsula will have ended, they believe, forever. When the port finally falls it will not be because of any failure within itself, but because the Russian army and fleet outside. of it have failed to play their part in the combination for which the fortress was prepared. The campaign on the peninsula really began when the Japanese on June 27th captured Nanshan, and seized the great line of defences which the Russians had constructed from sea .to sea. across the peninsula. Thence onwards the Japanese advance has been continuous. ‘ WILL STARVE TIIEM OUT. -'A despatch from Tokio sayszâ€"Inldays In capturing positions and disabling the Russian fleet at Port! Arthur, precluding the possibility of its being able to reinforce the Rus- sian second Pacific squadron, the Ja- panese have accomplished the main object. of desperate assaults againstnrespondent the fortress which they have been making the past three months. There] is now a. strong probability that, while continuing the siege, they will avoid losses of the magnitude al-i ready attending their efforts, and in«'. stead of assaulting, will rely on, stal'ung out the gmxison until it is pm] an. bun; underwritten at lower finally captured. NOGI‘S SONS KILLED. 'A despatch from Tokio says :--In MANUHUBIA. the fighting of Nov. 30th the second son of (ion. Nogi was killed on 203- Metre Hill. Gen. Nogi's eldest son was killed in the Ila'tfle of banshan and he is now childless. Imperial army headquarters has published a list of 30 ()fllijol‘s' killed and 58 wounded. No mention is made of where these casualties oc- curred, but it was presumably at BALTIC FLEET A BLUFF. A despatcli to the London Express from St. Petersburg says that de- finite instructions have Eben sent to Admiral Rojestvensky, commander of the Baltic fleet, not to proceed to the Far East. The Czar took the matter into his own hands and issu- ed the order, despite the opposition of the grand dukes. The Baltic fleet will now probably dawdle at various ports until the possibilities of ser- vice are so remote that the public will have forgotten its original mis- sion. The (lcspatch adds that the reports concerning the/'(lespatch of a, third squadron to the Far East are mere speculations. AWFUL SCENES. A despatch from headquarters of the Third Japanese Army before Port Arthur, via Fusan, says: The correâ€" spondent of the Associated Press has visited 203-Metre Hill, the scene of the awful sixâ€"days' fight, which ended with its capture by the Japanese. The advance works and the crest, of the hill were torn away, the slopes of the hill were covered with debris and the trenches were smashed and filled with soil. In a single section of the trenches one hundred yards long over two hundred Russian dead and wounded were seen. They had been horribly mangled with dynamite grenades. POOR, SHRAPNEL. A despatch from Mmkden says: The Russians continue to bombard the Japanese positions with both heavy and light artillery. The Japanese re- sponse is feeble. The Russians have experienced much difficulty with their shrapnel, which should have effectually checked the Japanese attacks during the Battle of Sha River, but failed in many cases. Some of the consignments of shrapnel sent to the front appear to have been almost worthless from poor construction of the shells. T0 ESCAPE SERVICE. A despatch' from London says: Eight hundred Russians, most of whom allege they fled from itheir homes in order to escape military Ser- vice in Mmichuria, left London on Thursday for Liverpool. on their way to America. These refugees are ar- riving at the rate of 150 daily. INDEPENDENT FORCES. A despatch from Tokio says: As to frequent appearance of Russian troops in the direction of Hsienchang, on the right of the Japanese position on the Sim, it is believed here that they are independent detac‘hments despatched from Fush'un, which is 30 miles east of Mukoen. There are no Russians in any force south-east of Mukden. Lateâ€" ly 25,000 were sent from the district south-east of Mukden to join tho fighting line on the Russian right. The Asahi reports that the Russians heavily bombarded the railway on the lower She, River throughout Friday afternOOn. A large number of Russian Wounded were sent north from Mukâ€" den on Thursday. MINOR LNGAG EMENTS. A despatch' from St. Petersburg says: Gen. Sa'ixharofl‘, under Wednesâ€" day’s date, reports that the Russian main guard at a village southward of Laotchengulni Pass was driven out on Tuesday by the Japanese artil- lery after sustaining a few casual- ties. The Japanese subsequently re- tired. Gen. lx'ouropatkin, in a telegram to the Emperor, mentions Japanese at- tacks on Sinchinpu and Soudgainin, both of which were repulsed, and an unimportant outpost affair on the right wing when the Russians routed and bayonefed a Japanese guard. JAP TROOPS INSPIRITED. The London Times' correspondent at Tokio sayszâ€"According to an of- ficial telegram, issued on Thursday afternoon, the Japanese troops at Port Arthur are greatly inspirited by the signal successes of the last few inâ€" flicting damage to the Russian fleet. A LIGHT WEIG HT. The London Times' insurance cor- suyszâ€"The progress of the Russian Baltic fleet may be slow, but it should be fast enough to enable the vessels to reach far eastern waters as soon as the coal steamers, which have not yet left this country, can get to Japan by the Cape route. War risks on steamers with coal for Jaâ€" rates than a month or two ago. The indifference of underwriters to the Baltic fleet as a lighting or commerce- destroying force is very striking. ‘-, *1 \\_ _ ‘ *\\\\l - > iVMANSHAN y 4 547'". j: ‘q' \ /l I . LEADIG MARKETS. Stock BREADSTUFFS . Toronto, Dec. 13.â€"Wheatâ€"â€"Ontario â€"Sellers are now asking $1, with 99c bill, for red and white; spring is quoted 93c to 94c; goose, 870. Manitoba, No. 1 northern, $1-U4i, No. 2 northern, 99%0; No. 3 northern 93gc, Georgian Bay ports; 60 more grin-ding in transit. Flourâ€"90 per cent. patents, $4.20 to $4.35, buyers’ sacks, east and west, 15c to 20c higher for choice. Manitoba, $5.35 to $5.70 for first patents, $5.20 to $5.40 for second patents, and $5 to $5.30 for bakers'. Millfeedâ€"$l4.50 to $15 for bran in bulk; $17.50 to $18 for shorts, east and west; Manitoba, $21 for shorts, $10 for bran, exports. Barleyâ€"Dull; 45c for No. 2, 436 for No. 8 extra, and 41c for No. 3 maltâ€" ing outside, Toronto froights. Ryeâ€"75¢ to 760 for No. 2. Cornâ€"New Canadian on cob, 450; new American yellow easier and more plentiful, 53§c to 54§c new American mixed not so plentiful, 53c on track, Toronto. Old American, No. 2 yel- low, 660; No. 3 at 65c, and No. 3 mixed at 63%c, on track Toronto. Oatsâ€"33c for No. 1 white, east low frelglits; No. 2, 32!}c, low freights, and 32c north and west. Rolled Oatsâ€"$4.10 for cars of bags and $4.35 for barrels on track To- ronto, 25c more for broken lots here. and 40c for broken lots outside. Peas~67c to 680 for No. 2 west and east. Buckwheatâ€"Easier; 54c to 55c, east and west. COUNTRY PRODUCE. Butterâ€"The market is fairly steady and prices unchanged. Creamery, prints . . . . . . . . . . . . 21c to 22c do tubs . . . . . . . . . . . . 19c to 20c Dairy tubs, good to choice 150 to 160 do medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13c to 14c do inferior grades ....... 10c to 12c Dairy ll). rolls, good to choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16c to 17c do medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14c to 15c Cheeseâ€"Steady at 10Lc to 10110 per lb. for large unzl 10§c to 110 for twins in job lots here. Eggsv22c. to 23c for new laid, 20c to 21c for fresh and 20c for limell. Poultryâ€"Turkeys, So to 140 for young and 10c to lie for old. Ducks and geese, fie to 9e. Chickens at 55c to 9c, and liens at SC to (Sc. Potatoesâ€"Ontario stock, 65c to 70c on track and 75c to 80c out of store. Eastern 75c to 80c on tracks, and 90c to 95c out of store. {Dressed Hogsâ€"Steady at $6.25 to $6.30 per cwt. for choice selected weights on track here. Baleil Hayâ€"No. 1 timothy is offer- ed at $7.50 on track. No. 2 and mixed clover are proportionately lowâ€" er and not in demand at; $6.50 in car lots on track here. . Baled Strawâ€"Car lots on track are quoted unchanged at $6 to $0.50 per ton MONTREAL lllARKETH. Montreal, Dec. litâ€"Graimâ€"Wheat is still out of line as far as export busiâ€" ness is concerned. A few sales of Car lots of No. 2 white were made at 40c to 40.;c, and N0. 3 at 39c to 39’36 (‘er bushel exâ€"store. Flourâ€"‘Manifobu spring wheat patâ€" ents. $5.80; strong bakers', 93.5.0; winter wheat patents. $5.70 to $5.90; straight rollers, $5.50, 3rd in bags, $2.25 to $2.65. Feedâ€"Manitoba bran in bags, $17 ,to $17.50; shorts, $21 per ton; Onâ€" » ~â€" â€" - r . 9‘}. ‘ PLAN SHOWING F0 $5.40 to M, . Fog. , UNGSH Q“ \\;G V, l | ‘4' ‘y l - ‘ , RTS CAPTUR . 1.â€" , ‘1.- tario bran in bulk, $15.50 to $16.50; shorts, $19 to $29; moullie, $24 to ,S28 pr; ion as to quality. Mealâ€"The trade in cornmeal is fair at $1.35 to $1.45 per bag. Hayâ€"No. 1, $9 to $9.25; No. 2, $8 to $8.25; clover mixed. $7 to $7.25, and pure clover, $6.25 to $6.75 per ton in car lots. Beansâ€"Choice primes, $1.40 to $1.â€" 45 per bushel, $1.35 to $1.37.} in car lots. Provisionsâ€"HeaVy Canadian short .cut pork, $16.50 to $17.50; light Vsh'ort cut, $16.50 to 317; American ifat backs, $20; compound lard, Géc ito 7c; Canadian lard, 62c to 73c; Ikettle rendered, ;c to 9.’_.c according to quality; hams, 12c to 13c; bacon, 12c to 130; fresh killed abattoir hogs {8'7 to $7.25; heavy fat hogs, $4.50; gmixed lots, $4.50 to $5; select, $5.25 'to $5.40 off cars. Cheese-Ontario fall white, 10c to 141C; colorcd, 10:10 to 10.}c; Quebec, 93c to 10c. Butterâ€"Finest grades, 2056 to 203c; ordinary finest, 19%c to 20c; medium grades, 18éc to 19c, and western dairy, 153C to 16c. Eggsâ€"Select new laid, 23c to 24c, and straight gathered candied, 20c to 216; No. 2, 15lc to 16¢. LIVE STOCK MAR'KET. Toronto, Dec. 13.â€"Trade was brisk in most descriptions of butcher’s cat- tle at the Western Market toâ€"day. The tone of the trade in butchers‘ showed an improvement, and buying was more active than a week or so ago. Among the arrivals were a. few of the choicer animals, which sold at $4.25 to $4.65 per cwt. The bulk of the cattle sold at the old prices Uhrough the list. The market also showed an improvement for fair to goal cows, and for butchers' and export bulls. The following were the quotations gun for butchers' cattle: Select butchers‘, $4.40 to $4.65; best butchâ€" ers', $4.15 to $4.40; good butchers', loads of, $3.70 to $4.10; fair to good, $3.50 to $3.70; cows, $2.50 to $3.125; common to rough, $1.25 to $2. The following was the range of prices prevailing in stockers and feed- ers:â€"Feeders, shortâ€"keeps, 1,200 to 1,275 lbs, $3.50 to $4; feeders, 1,â€" 050 to 1,175 lbs, $3.25 to $3.60; feeders, 800 to 1,025 lbs. $3 to $3.- 35; stockers, 600 to 800 Ibs., $2.25 to $2.75; stockers, 400 to 600 lbs, $1.40 to $2; bulls, 900 to 1,200 lbs, $1.75 to $3. The prices of sheep and lambs were as followsâ€"Export ewes, $3.75 to $3.85; export buckS, $2.50 to $2.75 per cwt; cull sheer), S2 to $3 each; lambs, $31.50 to $5.10 per cwt. ’ (‘alves sold at 3 to 5;c per lb, and $2 to $10 each. Hogs were unchanged at $4.80 for selects, 160 to 200 lbs. of prime haven quality, off cars. Toronto; $4.- 60 for fats and lights. .â€"-+â€"â€"- PROTECTION OF FISHERIES. New York State Anxious to operate With Ontario. Co- A despatch from Toronto says:â€" ’l‘he action taken by the Ontario Fisheries Department in securing the ~coâ€"operation of the American States bowlering on the lakes for the pro- tection of the fisheries, has borne good fruit. Several of the States have communicated recently withl lthe Ontario authorities in connection, .Witll the matter. New York. “'illf'll was not represented in the conference {held some months ago. is, now ile- isirous of joining the others in forcing the law. SH N.35 LAND OF LIBERTY. The Pope Speaks Thus of the Bri- tish Empire. A despatch from Rome says:â€"â€"Tho au’dience which Prince Arthur of Connaught had of the Pope was most cordial. With Lieut,-Gen. Lord Gre'nfell, the Duke left the Quirinal, escorted by royal biCyclists, and drove to the British Embassy, where he was met by Monsignor Stonor, Canon of St. John Lateran. Monsignor Stonor then left for thd Vatican and the Duke and Lord Grenfell followed him fifteen minutes later. Inside the Vatican every- thing was prepared with great cere- many. A procession of Papal ofll- cials, accompanied by a large guard, escorted the Duke to the door of the Pope’s apartment. The Pontiff said he was eXCeedingly gratified with the Duke's visit, adding that it was a. pity his stay in Rome was so short. The Pope expressed great esteem and veneration for King Edward, "who CD” is not only King of England, but of the whole world, as the sun never sets on his dominions." Continu- ing, the Pontifl‘ said he knew Great; Britain thoroughly enjoyed liberty and well understood its meaning. The missionaries coming to Rome from all parts of the British Em- pire spoke of the great degree of liberty enjoyed in the colonies. The audience lasted ten minutes. _.__.+_..~- AUSTRIA’S ULTIMATUM. Sultan Must Remove Customs 01- ficials at Scutari. A despatch from Vienna sayszâ€"Un- less the Ottoman Government dis‘ misses and punishes by noon Thurs- day the gendarimu'ie commander and the Customs officials at Scutari, who recently forcibly detained the Aus- trianâ€"Hungarian mails, Austria will order a naval squadron that is now lying ready at P013. to carry out a. demonstration at some Turkish port. The Austrian Ambassador's prompt; complaint against interference with the mails was treated with the cus- tomary Turkish procrastination, and Austria becoming weary, instructed the Ambassador to deliver an ulti- matum to the above effect. Austria. recognized the possibility that such a strong polity would irritate the European Governments, but resolved to run all risks rather than suffer a diminution of her prestige in the Balkans. Probably the Porte will yield but even if it does, the fleet is likely to cruise in the Levant for some time to emphasize Austria's displeasure and to show her readi- mess to uphold the inVioIability of national rights. â€"â€"â€"+â€".â€"â€" WILL BUN FULL TIME. Drop in Price of Raw Material Benefits Cotton Companies. A (lespatch from Montreal says:â€" For the first time in two years the leading cotton companies, such as the Merchanfs' Cotton Company, the Dominion Cotton Company, and the Montreal Cotton Company, have de- cided to place their mills on full time, and it is Certain that the var- ions plants will be rim to their full capacity for many months to come. i This actions is time almost entirely , to the big decline in the price of raw i cotton. The opinion held by the offiâ€" cials of the leading cotton companies Eis that there is not likely to be any tdecliiie in the finished cottons, as emiti-(u'ts iliqu all been made for the ‘ Spring trade. __+.___ Two Part Collioriie bows, Norman iflilmore and Harry Ashenden, wore drowne-l while skating on the lake 1 on Saturday.