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A despatch to St. Petersburg‘ says: The Russian authorities have reâ€" ceived information confirmatory of the Novoe Vremya’s statement of Wednesday regarding _tho. Chinese sit- uation. indicating Unit the Japanese influence is predominant not, oniy in the ontHorcign societies, but in the army and at Pekin, forcing the conâ€" viction here that. the situation is becoming critically dangerous. The OCCUPIED HEIGHTS. ’ A despatch received at. 'I‘okio by .tclcgraph on Thursday from the Ja- panese army before Port AN;er sayszâ€" ' Small detachments of Russians nightly attacks the Japanese out,- posts and patrols but with no suc- cess. A despaich from General Oku's ‘Hoadqparters, via Fusun, says:â€" Tho Russians along the front of Gen- eral Oku‘s army during the night of Dec. 20 made a determined attack on Lamutlng but were driven back with heavy loss. The Japanese susâ€" tained no casualties. Only three seaworthy destroyers are said to remain in Port Arthur. Dismoun'tcd Russian cavalry at- tacked the cavalry on the extreme left of "the Japanese line on the night of Dec. 20-21, but were re- pulsed with heavy loss. A dc-spaich to the London 'l‘innos fromOeliin says that occasionally junks with ammunition {unluprovis- ions still succeed in running the blockade of Port Althur, although the price paid is costly. For every junk that is successful it is estimat- ed that three are sunk by.the Ja- ‘pancso. As all contraband trans- actions are financed by the Russo- Chinese Bank, detection is not diffi- cult. "A. despatch from Mukdcn says:â€" Yolunteers on the night of Dec. 21 occupied Japanese trenches opposite their positions. ’l'Jnee ltrenches were evacuated by the Japanese with scarcely. a fight. The victors were surprised to tin-(l a box lying in plain view,~which they opened carefully, fearing that it might contain exâ€" plosives, but they found in it wine, biscuits and sweets, and a. letter in Russian, politely requesting its ac- ccptance, "from disturbing neig - bars.” A despatch to‘Tokio from Suscbo says that the British steamship {King Arthur, which was captured by the Japanese guardship Asagiri on Dec. 19, while endeavoring to escape from Port Arthur, had landed a cargo of munitions of war outside the harbor, under cover of the batâ€" tleship Sovastupnl. The London ’l‘imos' correspondan at Peloin reports that, the Chinese have seized at the li‘vugLni station, near Pokin, three million rounds of Russian ville ammunition consigned to a Russian firm at 'l‘iou-’l‘sin, and bvidently designed for Port Al‘- thur. Tho ammunition was concealâ€" ed in bah-s of wool brought. iron} Kalgnu on camels. It, is not, believed that, Admiral Rojcstvensky, commuwliug the 11111- tic fleet, will come as far event as Saigon, but Japan does: not proposo .to be caught napping. Practically the whole of Admiral ’l‘ogo's fleet is ready to start southward at a day's notice. If the Baltic fleet is sighted he Will abandon the blockade of Port. Arthur and sail to meet it. The Ministry of Marine is flooded with applications from dflicm‘s of admir- al Togo's llcet for pvrmission to servo with Admiral lx’mnimum. The Tokio correspondent of the London Express says that Admiral (Kamimura's squadrm). which is be- lieved to be somewhere in the south- ern part ml the China Hen, is run gardcd rather as an observing than a fighting squadron. 'A dcspatch to the London 'l‘elc- graph from Chcl‘oo says it is re- ported that eight Russian torpedo- boat destroyers haw: escaped from Port Arthur. EIGHT DESTROYERS ESCAPE Repont That Remnant of Russian Squadron Got Away Safely. LANDED WAR M UNITIONS PRESENTS FROM ENEMIES STILL H UN “LO CK ADF KAMIMURA IS S('()U'I‘[NG RU SSIANS RE PU LSED EXCUSE TO EN'D WAR CONCEAIJCD IN WOOI DES’J‘ROYI-IRS ESCAPE Thirtyâ€"Seven American 'Troops Slain in Philippines. Ardospatch from Manila says:â€" The Pulajanes have ambushed and killed at. Dolores, on the Island of Samar, a lieutenant and 37 enlisted men of the 38th cbmpany of native scouts. 'l‘w‘o thousand Pulajanes, it is reported, threaten the to‘fi'n of Dolores, and the situation is said to be critical. Lieut. Abbott, in com- mand m‘ the scouts, has requested that aid be sent him' The reports that a Japanese squadron of 40 vessels had already sailed to meet the second Pacific squadron is regarded at the A‘dmirâ€" alty hero as being incorrect and cirâ€" culated for a purpose. BOATS STILL SEA WORT-HY. A despatch from St. Petersburg sayszâ€"While declining to give de~ tails, the Admiralty admits that Russian advices from Port Arthur sent by Gen. Stoessel substantially confirmed the Japanese advices of the partial wrecking of the Russian ships in the harbor and the censor has been instructed to permit the publication of the despatches. It is claimed that several of the larger ships and a. respectable number of torpedoâ€"boat destroyers are still scaworthy, but that they are not being considered as a factor in the coming light between Admiral Togo's ships and the Russian second Pacific squadron. If the fortress is relieved it is believed that most of the ships will be raised and saved. A dcspatC‘h from Tokir) says: Adâ€" miral Togo, who has personaily made a series of observations of the Rusâ€" sian battleship Sevastupol. tele- graphs to the Navy Department exâ€" pressing the opinion that the Sevasâ€" topol is disabled. Great Weight is attached to Togo's personal obser- vations and opinion, instanced by the [act that when the‘illussian batâ€" tlcship Pctropavlovsk was sunk Toâ€" go was one of the few oliicers of the entire Japanese fleet. whose eye caught the vision of speedy disaster. Commander Yezoe, who was killed while torpedoing the Sevastopol, has been promoted and has been given other posthumous honors. A despatch to the London Daily Telegraph from Chefoo says that the steamer Lady Mitchell, flying ‘t'he British flag and having a Norwegian Crew, reached Port, Arthur from 'I‘singtao last Saturday night. She carried a cargo of ammunition and dynamite, and took advantage of a snowstorm to run the Japanese blockade of the 'port. “Port Arthur army reports our trophies at the battle of the north fort of Tukeclnvanshan were {our quickâ€"firers, whereof two are usablo, four machine guns, all usable, and five field guns, which are under ex- amination, besides rifles. shells, am- munition, grenades, etc." GUNS CAPTURED. A dospntch from Washington says: The following cablcgram, dated Tokio. Wednesday, has been received at the Japanese Logation:- The value of Kikwanshan fort at present is less then QOElâ€"Metrc Hill, because it is more or loss command- ed from the neighboring hills. especiâ€" allv one 130 yards to the Westward, which must be soppcd. It is esti- mated that the Japanese losses in taking lx’ikwnnshan fort were only 400 Concurrently with the blowing up of Kikwanshnn fort a Russian shell struck the fort on 203-Meti'e Hill, exploding a. store of shells and grenâ€" ades the Japanese had gathered there. Great damage was done, and there were many casualties. The unnamed height that was cap- tured by the Japanese at tlie same time they captured the Kikwanshan fort is called Taotishan. It is crowned by a newly constructed Rusâ€" sian fort. After the Japanese had captured it the Russians bombarded the position, but the Japanese guns on 203â€"Metre Hill protected it. and the Russian fire slackened. Since then there has been desultory firing. flanking fire from other forts and the explosion of Russian mines have forced the Japanese to evacuate Itâ€" soshau fort, northward oi 203â€"Metre lijli, with serious losses” It is stub ed that Gen. Nogi, the Japanese commander at Port Arthur. has asked for 60,000 reinforcements. Many have already arrived from the north. JAPS DRIVEN FROM IA‘URT'. According to the L‘lmfoo corny spondcnt of the London Daily Tele- graph it is reported there that. the belief prevails that in the Spring Japan, under the cover of an actual or threatened rising in China, will seek to sac-cure the intervention of the powers to end the war. Direct evidence exists that the antiâ€"foreign proclamations circulating in Chino. are printed in Japan. STEAMER R UNS BLO GKADE SEVASTOPOL DIS A BLED S COUTS AMBUSHED the blowing up a Russian shell 203-Mctl‘c Hill, DHCWWKIH 10,}c; cola 9;- to 10c 21 to 21y: 20:0; med and Westc. 40 to 4010 for No. 3 in store here; No. 3, 390 to 30%c; morn, new Amerâ€" ican yellow, 51 to 55c, guaranteed to arrive sound; 60c in store for No. 3 mixed; buckwheat, 54:} to 556. Flourâ€"Manitoba patents, $5.80, énd strong" bakers', $5.56; high Ontario blended patents, $5.75 to $5.80, in wood; choice, 90 per cent. patents, $3.50 to $5.60 in wood, and 25c per bbl. loss in shippors’ new bags; straight rollers $2.50 to $2.55 and 25 to 300 extra in wood. Rolled oatsâ€"52.1247 to $2.13 per bag, and $1.50 to $4.85 in bbls. Feedâ€"0nâ€" tario bran, in bulk at $17 to $17.â€" 50; shorts, $19 to $20; Manitoba bran, 12" bags. 81? to $18; shorts at $21. Beansâ€"Choice primes, $1.40 to $1.45 per bushel, $1.05 to $1.37,}. in car lots. Provisionsâ€"Heavy Canâ€" adian short cut pork, 816.50 to $17- 50; light. short, cut, $16.50 to 317; American clear fat, backs, 520; com- pound lard, 6% to To; Canadian lard, G} to 75c; kettle-rmrderud, 8‘} to 95¢; hams, 12 to 130; bacon, 12 to 13c; fresh killed abattoir hogs. $7.- .‘20 to $7.25; heavy fat hogs, $4.75 to $5; mixed lots, $5 to $5.15; se~ locts, $5.25 to $5.35, oil cars. CheesebOntm‘io Fall white, 10;} to 10k; colored, 10} to lOg-c; Quebec, 9; to 10c. Butterâ€"Finest grades, 21 to 21.1.c; ordinary fine-st, at. 20 to‘ 20%" medium grades, 18; to 193C,‘ 4 n and Western dairy at 152 to 165C. Smoked meatsâ€"Hams, light to medium, 12 to 125%; -do., heavy, 11% L0 12c; rolls. 9 to 9§C;‘shouldel‘s, 8; to 9c; backs, 14 to 14$; breakfast bacon, 12y; Lardâ€"Tierccs, 72¢: tubs. 8c- nails Montreal, Doc. 40 to 4030 for No No. 3, 39c to 39% Dressed hogs are unchanged, with offerings moderate. Car lots are quoted at $6 to $6.25. Bacon, long clear. 8 to Sic per lb. in case lots; mess pork, $14 to $14.50; do., short out; $17.50 to $18. Eggsâ€"The receipts are moderate, and prices are steady. Case lots of fresh are selling at 22 to 230 per dozen, and limed~at 20c. Cheesw’l‘he market is Vfirmer, with large cheese quoted at 10%c, and twins at 11%0 per ll). THE DAIRY MARKETS . Butterâ€"Finest 1-Ib. rolls, 18 to 185C; ordinary to choice large rolls, 16 to 18c; low to medium grades, 14 to 150; creamm‘y prints, 22 to 23¢; solids, 20 to 21c. Poultryâ€"Spring chickens, 8 to 90; hens, 5% to 70 per lb; ducks, 9 to 10c per-lb; geese, 8 to 9c per 1b.; turkeys, dry plucked, 12 to 13c; (10., scalded, 10 to 11c per 1!). Hayâ€"â€"Cur lots of No. 1 timothy are quoted at $8 to $8.50 on track here, and 1510. 2 at $6.50 to $7. Strawâ€"Car lots aI-‘c quoféd- $6 tow$6.25 on track, Toronto. Applesâ€"The market is firm for choice stogk at $1.76 to $2.25 per barrel; cooking apples. $1 to $1-50 per barrel. rfl.“ Honeyâ€"The minke: irsiqiuiet, 71} to Sc per lb. Comb honey, $1.50 to $2 per dozen. Beansâ€"Trade is fair, and prices unchanged, with prime quoted at $1.35 to $1.40, and hand-picked at: $1.45 to $1.50. Cl‘miberriosâ€"Jl‘hc market is unâ€" changed at $8 per barrel. Hopsâ€"The market is unchanged at 32 to 350, according to quality. Potatoesâ€"Car ldts aré (filbted at 75 to 800 per bag, on track; jobbing lots at 90c to $1. Flourâ€"Ninety per cent. patents are quoted at $4.25 to $4.40 in buyers’ sacks, cast’m' west. Straight rollâ€" ers of special brands, for domestic trade, in bbls. $4.75 to $5. Mani- toba flours unchanged. No. 1 pa- tents, $53.40 to $5.50; No. 2 pa- tents, $3.20 to $5.30, and strong bakers', $4.90 to $5.10 on track, Toronto. Millfcedâ€"At outside points bran is quoted at. $14.50, and shorts at $17.50 to $18. Manitoba. bran, in sacks, $18 and shorts at $21. (Jornâ€"The market is quiet, with new Canadian quoted at 42 to 43¢ west, guaranteed sound. New Am- erican yellow, 52c on track, Toronto and new,mixed at 51%0, Toronto. Ryeâ€"The ‘market is unchanged at 74 to 75c at outside points. Buckwheatâ€"The )hérket is quiet and steady, with No. 2 quoted at; 510 high froight, and at '52c low freight. Turonto. Doc. 27.â€"thatâ€"~No. 2 white and red Winter quoted at 97 to 98¢ outside; No. 2 goose quoted at. 84 to 85c cast, and No. ‘2 Spring at, 980 east. Manitoba wheat unâ€" changed; No. -1 Northern quoted at $1.04; No‘ 2 Northern, 99c and No. 3 Northern at 930, Georgian 'Bay ports. Grinding in tramsit prices are So above those quoted. Oatsâ€"No. 2 white is quoted at. 32 to 32gc low Heights, and at 3130 north and west; No. 1 white is stea- Peasâ€"The market is stzady, with dealers quoting 67 to 68c at out- side points. REPORTS FROM THE LEADING TRADE CENTRES. to 3211c low Heights, north and west; No. 1 v dy at, 32.} to 330 west Barleyâ€"No. 2 quoted at, 4 dlc frcig'hts. No. 3 extra, 4 No. 3 a£V41c middle freights THE WORLD'S MARKETS Prices of Cattle, Grain, Cheese, and other Dairy Produca at Home and Abroad. BUSINESS AT MONTREAL lâ€"Tiercos, 73c; tubs, 80; pails COUN'HRY PRODUCE HOG PRODUCTS D0c_._ 2?.eG rainâ€"Oats, quolcd at, 45c mid- 55.15; seâ€" ofl‘ cars. 0. 101'; to ’0: Quebec, st grades, 43c; and his x‘clutiyes are. About 4 he went into the woods 25 built a. log cabin, and 11“ he could. kill and dig ground. He was taken to tal, but is as yet unable story on account of his He $001125 to be a 1.5113!) 0! 1 Man Found at “$00” Crazed by 'Cold and Hunger. A despatch from Sault Ste. Marie says: On Wednesday a. man was found wandering in the woods about three miles from here in a crazed condition through sullering from cold and hunger. His name is supposed to be Griggs, but nothing can be learned as to Where he came from or who his rulutiyes are. About a year ago he went into the woods 25 miles, and built a. log cabin, and lived on what he could. kill and dig from the ground. He was taken to the hospi- tal, but is as yet unable to tell his story on account, of his sufferings. venia between here and Ham‘isburg have been disabled by the eating agvay of the boilers which has been caused by the poor water used. The troughs lying between the tracks which held water that the engines scooped up in passing, are dried up and the engines must be supplied from other reservoirs .of water at the disposal of the company. ,7 The Pennsylvania and the Balti- more and Ohio Railroads are sufferâ€" ing from the drouth. Most of the engines being used by the Pennsyl- In the country districts, especially in the mountains nothing but melted snow can be had for Watering stock or {or house use. Firemen have hung up their hose in scujos of towns. Mines have closed after using sulphur water until corrosion had eaten boil- 1ers and pipes to a. shell. This is working a hardship as fuel cannot be had. The south is suffering for coal, and not a mine along the Mononga‘ helu. River is in operation. Streams that have never been dry Within memory of man, have not. been covâ€" ered with Water for a month, and pools are frozen solid. WVorkmen at the National ’l‘ubo‘ Works, the 'DuQuesne and Homestead Mills say conditions at those places cannot be explained, and orders .to close down are expected hourly. The furnaces of the Shanango and Mah- aning Valleys have only two more Weeks coko on hand. Even if the Connellsville region can supply the coke, the railroads cannot ,haul it. and this at a time when the boom in iron and steel is at its best. The Edgar Thompson Steel Plant has ordered a large part 3f the plant to close down. The furnaces have no coke. and the boilers are all corrod- ed with the sulphur from the coal mines. A Pittsburg despatch says: It is feared that within the next ten days almost every industry in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio will have to close down. The drouth is the worst in the history of this part of the country. The weather bureau cannot see any relief in sight. There is only half a foot of snow on tho level. If this melted it would only be equal to sixâ€"tenths of an inch of min and it will take at least one inch of rain besides to be of any benefit. SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS Pennsylvania and Ohio Mills With out Water. Hogs were unchanged at $4.75 for selects, 160 to 200 lbs. of prime bacon quality, off cars, Toronto; $4.- selac'ts, 160- lto 200.1!)3. of prime bacon quality off oars, Toronto, $4.- 50 for fats and lights. Toronto, Dec. 27.~â€"' ‘he demand for choicest classes was well maintained, but medium heifers and steers and cows were not in active enquiry. Hogs were weak and unchanged, while lambs were 5 points higher. The following were the range of prices:â€" I‘prormrs' cattle were quot-ed at $4.25 to $4.90 per cwt. The following were quotations givâ€" en for butchers’ catt101â€"Select but- Chers', $4.35 to $4.50; good butch- ers', loads of, $3.70 to $4.25; fair to good. $3.50 to 83.70; cows, 32.- 50 to $3.121}; common to rough, $1.â€" 25 to $2. The following was the range of prices prevailing in stockers and feeders:~Fecders, short~keeps, 1,200 to 1,275 lbs., $3.50 to $3.60; stock- crs, 600 to 800 lbs. $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 followszâ€"Export ewes, $4 to $4.- 25; export bucks, $2.50 to $3 per cwt.; cull sheep, $2 to $3 each; lambs, $5.25 to $5.90 per cwt. Calves sold at 3 to Sic per lb. and $2 to 810 each. Milwaukee, Dec. 27,â€"Wheatâ€"No. 1 Northern, $1.13 to $1.15; No. 2 Northern, $1.06 to $1.09; May, $1.- 112 to $1.11,} asked. Ryeâ€"No. 1, 77¢c. Barleyâ€"No. 2, 52¢; sample. 36 to 50c. Combâ€"No. 3, 43 to 43}c; May, 45 to 452C asked. Duluth, Dec. 27.â€"â€"thatâ€"No. 1 Duluth, Dcc'. 27.â€"â€"thatâ€"No. 1 Northern, $1.10; No. 2 Northern, $1 04; December, $1.10; May, $1.1. and straight to 21¢; No. 2 WANDERER IN THE WOODS $1.20. Cornâ€"Firm; No. 3 yellow, 49gc; No. 3 corn, Me. Oatsâ€"Firm; No. 2 white, 35c; No. 2 mixed, 33h. Barleyâ€"Western, in store. 45 to 55¢. Milwaukee, Dec. 27.â€"-Wheatâ€"No. 1 Buffalo, Dec. 27.â€"Flou.râ€"Steady. Whoatâ€"Busincss light; Spring, No. 1 Northern, $1.18_;“Win't9f, No.’2 red, Eggsâ€"Select UNITED LI VE STOCK RIA RK‘I‘I’I‘ ...‘.....D a-.. .n. .... he came from or are. About a your the woods 25 miles abin, and lived on :ill and dig from STATES MARKETS a man of mystery new laid, 23 to 24¢. gathered, candled, 20 , 15; to 16c. A Pctrolea, Ont., dospatch says: One of the biggest oil pi‘opcriy deals put through here for some time was negotiated on Friday, when Messrs. Dr. J. E. Wilkinson and John Mc- Cart sold their entire interests »in the 275 acres of oil property to New York capitalists. A Pctrolea, Ont One of the biggest put through hvre : negotiated on Fri Dr. J. E. Wilkins A Paris despatch says: During a dense fog, which completely disor- ganized trafllc, the London-Boulogne express ran into the Lille express outside the North Station, on Fri- day, smask‘i‘ng the last carriage of the Lille 0‘ press. Six corpses have been recovered, and it is feared that more are under the engine. A score of wounded have been taken to hos- pitals. All the victims are French. BIG GIL A Chicago despatch sayszâ€"Fred Johnson, 32 years old, is dead hydrophobia, although he deciurgfi he never had been bitten by a. mad dog. He became ill last Sunday and some time before his death at- tacked his wife and two small child- ren. Then he was fastened to save the family from injury during his attacks of frenzy. Johnson owned a. pet dog which last July was hit- ten by a rabid dog, and the man constantly worried over the matter. Finally a. policeman ‘killed the pet. A physician diagnosed Johnson's case and declared the man flow tracted rabies because he constantly was fearing hydrophobia. 275 Acres Many Killed and Injured in French Railway Wreck. $4Q,000,000 in 160,000 shares, 159‘ Krupps Make a Tremendous Sum on Their Year's Work. A Berlin despatch says: The first balance sheet of the firm of Fried- rich Krupp, Limited, just issued, shows a gross profit on the year’s working of just five‘million dollars. Rather more than half this sum goes to depreciation account, work- men’s pension, and other funds, and the reserve fund, leaving $2,200,000 to pay a dividend of six per cent. on the capital. The capital amounts to 996 of which belong; to Fraulein Bertha. Krupp and four to as many high officials in the company. Private telegrams from Essex state that the section [or the manu« facture of naval material is Working at high pressure. large orders hav- ing been received by Krupps both from Russia. and Japan for armor plates and gun barrels. Chicago Man Died of the Disease Ho Feared. ,, Winnipeg Real Estate Owner Burned to Death. A Winnipeg despatch says: John Currie, an old resident of the city. was cremated in his house, which was destroyed by fire a few minutes after midnight, on Friday, and rash dents of adjoining buildings had nar- row escapes from sharing his horri< ble fate. ‘I’robably only the fortu- nate discovery of the accident by a passing pedestrian, and the prompt action of neighbors. averted a holo- caust of the people. The flames were eating into the other buildings when the brigade arrived. rl‘he buildings were of frame structure, close to Louise Bridge, When the brigade arrived a ghastly sight awaited them. The (lead body of the old man lay near the door, Where he had fallen when overcome in an e!â€" fort to escape. The remains were burned to a crisp, and evidently he had sacrificed his life in attempting to save a cash-box, which Was found under his head. TH E PROFITS OF WAR. TRIED TO SAVE HIS CASH Sp powerful is the force of the shot, it is said, thnt no ship of any navy would be able to withstand it. Although fired 480 times, the ‘gun was apparently undamaged, whereas usually the life of a big cnnnon is five hundred shots. A French military export. discuss- ing the new cannon, estimates that one hundred such cannon would adequately protect the entire coast of France. The cost of the cannon is said to be $100,000 including its quota. of projectiles. The new cannon has a calibre of 9; inches, firing n. projectile ‘weigh- ing 359 pounds. The prinCipal merit! of the invention is its extreme sink plicity of mechanism. Three men can operate it; one to sight and one to attend the breech, while the du- ties of the third are 0. secret, depend‘ ing“ upon the invention. The shell fired has a muzzle velo- city or five hundred metres (1,640 feet). a second and produces a, whi5< Lling noise heard a mile and n. ball away. Navies Would Be at the Mercy 0! New Cannon. A Paris despatch saystâ€"Great. in« (crest has been caused here by recenfl experiments. with a new cannon. a secret invention. The most record tests were made at Huvre last Sun- day in the presence of M. Bert-max, Minister of War, and fifty deputies and senators. TRAINS MET IN A FOG. RABIES DUE TO FEAR. A POWERFUL GUN. ldfl‘l‘ tho engine. A 800“ huVC been taken to has the victims are French. of Property in Petrolia Sold. PROPERTY DEAL.