The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-12
WAR TALK DEPRECATED
CONFERENCE OF RUSSIAN OFF,
: GALS AT PORT ARTHUR.
Policy of the United states I'm Regard
to Manchuria Resented-Dispo-
alton of War Fleets.

PORT ARTHUR, July 8, via Chez Foo
The visit OF all the prominent Russian OFF,
Gals in China, Manchuria and Korea TO
this place is strictly business one and in
no way junket. The local officials had ar
ranged elaborate programme covering
the week for the entertainment OF the WIS.,
itors, but after review of 1900 troops on
the race track, General Kuropatkin, the
Russian minister OF war, announced that
the remainder of the visit must be devoted
to work
General Kuropatkin presides daily over
longe conferences, which it is expected will
continue until July IA. When questioned
regarding the purpose of the meeting, the
officials present explained that Minister
Kuropatkin desired to obtain the fullest in
formation concerning Russia's interests and
work In the far East and naturally request
ed the officials to meet him. since it was i'm
possible that he should visit all of them.
1t is intimated that one important ques-
ton to be discussed is the matter Of the
consolidation of the government of Rus
sia's adjacent possessions in the far East
under one administration with a governor
general directing the whole.
High officials strongly deprecate war
talk which is rife among officers OF lower
rank and civilians. All who talk of war.
profess 10 despise Japan as an antagonist.
The policy of the United States govern
ment on the Manchurian question is gen.
orally regarded here with surprise and
resentment, comments being made to the
effect that the Russians expected Great
Britain TO antagonize their progress, but
relied upon the traditional friendship of
America to secure American approval. Ad-
miral Alexieff, who hitherto has received
visiting correspondents with marked cor
diality, replied through his secretary TO
an American who sought an interview with
him that. considering the recent hostility
OF American and British press toward Rus
sia. he could see no reason why she should
grant favors to their correspondents.
The presence of a British squadron at
Wei-Hei-Wei and of American warships at
Che-Foo Is a subject of great interest to the
Russian officers, who ask many questions
regarding the mission and movement OF the
British and American war vessels. AT Port
Arthur there are twelve Russian battle
ships and cruisers, four OF which are regu-
larly stationed there. and at Vladivostock
are forty-five smaller craft, most of them
torpedo boats or torpedo boat destroyers.
The number OF troops at Port Arthur and
In its environS is, according to the best In
formation, 30, 900, and the railway company
Is preparing to bring 16, 900 more. The fleet
and army are displaying the most unusual
activity in the drilling OF the men; os
the Russian Mining and Lumber Production
Company of the far East. Nominally IL Is
commercial company, but practically
government institution. Its president Is
Baron Gunsberg, Russian political agent in
Korea, and majority of the directors are
officials, among whom are a number OF
army officers. The company controls tim
Der concessions on the Yalu and proposes TO
construct tramways and electric lighting
systems in New-Chwang, Mukden and Har-
bin. 1t has asked Port Arthur contractors
to submit proposals for these works and
has engaged engineers to make investiga-
tions regarding the Manchurian coal mines.
1t has also purchased four large steam
lighters to convey lumber from the Yalu
to adjacent ports.