Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-11-04

receive from his fellow citizens ex-
pressions of coincidence aud sympa-
thy, but expressions of congratula-
ton.
The utter ignorance of the Rus
sian peasant soldier is deplorable.
Most of the Cars army believe
Japan is fighting because Russians
stole the Mikado's child. Here is
another instance Of the peasants
Ignorance: "I never heard of him."
said Czeslaw Kuroki, Russian
steerage passenger on North
German Lloyd steamer, wnen asked
by the examiner if he was related to
his japanese namesake who has
been trimming the Russian armies
IN Manchuria. Kuroki is % years
old and is bound for Cleveland, O..
lie was given some information about
the Japanese Kuroki, in whom the
Russian subject expressed but little
interest.
Just before going to press with
our last issue the terrible blunder of
Rojestvensky, commander of the
Russian Baltic fleet, in firing upon
the English fishing fleet while
virtually In English waters, was of
all absorbing interest. To this
moment the incident has held the
front of the stage, and the ultimate
outcome no man knows. One day it
is peace, the next world war is fore
Swallowed.
Wednesdays dispatches brought
the startling announcement that the
action of the Russian Admiral had
again brought the Anglo Russian
crisis dangerously close to an acute
stage. The news announcing the
sailing of the Russian squadron from
Vigo, leaving only four subordinate
officers to give evidence at st. Peters
burg and then testify before the In
ternational Commission, was thought
to be breach of the agreement. 1t
transpired, however, that Britain
had consented to this, and the DAYS
scare came to an end.
The British channel squadron
ships cleared their decks and sailed
for Gibraltar and many of the ships
of the Mediterranean fleet have been
ordered east. 1t was thought the
British war fleet was to bar the way
to the Russian Baltic feet unless
Russia promptly acceded to the Brit
ish demand for the punishment of
the officers responsible for the sink
ing Of the fishing boats.
Officers of the Russian squadron,
while at Vigo, Spain, gave the follow
ing explanation of the North Sea In
cident: "While steaming by night
they saw two torpedo boats within
the lines of the squadron. Suppos-
ing a Japanese attack was impend-
ing, they opened fire. They say they
did not see any sailors looking like
fisherman aboard the two boats fired
at"
1t is rumored that Admiral Roiest-
vensky has resigned his command.
AT first Russia was willing to con-
cede all England demanded, but now
Russia practically tells her that
while she will pay damages, as to
Furnishing her erring officers or Civ
ing promise for future good behavior
she (Russia) will not concede those
points.
Russia claims that torpedo boats
secretly chartered by Japan were
lying in wait for the Baltic fleet, and
that the presence of two torpedo
boats among the fishermen melted
the Admiral to fire. 1t now looks
very much as though the two torpedo
boats belonged to the Baltic fleet and
that Rojestvensky sank one of his
own boats at the same time he did
the English fishers. 1t is also
reported that the Russians warships
had fired at several defenseless mer-
chant ships previously, without
excuse, showing q very excited condi-
ton prevailing among the Russians.
The Russians have been unable TO
prove the presence of Japanese of
the English court, and the report
that, when arriving in Spain, the
Russian squadron was short one
torpedo boat seems to confirm the
foregoing opinion. This blunder,
perhaps unparalleled in the annals
OF warfare, reveals beyond the posi-
bility Of doubt the Incompetence of
the Russian Navy. What chance
have such sailors as Admiral Roiest-
vensky and his staff against tie
japanese? Is there any reason 10
expect much of fleet commanded
by officers who become panic-stricken
at the sight of few English fishing
smacks, off the English coast, and
bonn bard the hapless fishermen for
nearly half an hour with only two
men killed and dozen wounded as
a record of craftsmanship? The
only creditable thing was the speed
with which the fighters vanished.
ENGLISH WAR SEEMS AvERTRD.
England and France have both
earnestly hoped for q peaceful solu-
ton of the north sea affair. Mr..
Balfour, the British premier, an
nounced that a peaceful agreement
had been made with Russia, and
stated the terms. Both nations had
agreed to refer all the questions at
issue to an international commission
under the rules of the Hague Tribu.
nal, whose decision both would
accept. Part of the Baltic fleet is
to be detained at Vigo, Spain, pend
ing inquiry. The responsible officers
would not be permitted to proceed
to the Far East and the persons
found guilty would be adequately
punished. Russia has given pledge
that she would prevent recurrence
of the tragedy" Besides, Russia
has expressed profound regret and
has promised the most liberal com.
Densation. The Czar hos orSoxol III