The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-02-13

and laid before the president this propo-
sition; that the powers ureg on Russia
and Japan the eXpediency of preserving
the peace of mind of the Chinese court
and of Chino The German government
invited the United States as the power
possessing the least political interest in
European and far eastern affairs to issue
thei invitation; in the event, however
that this was not practicable Germany
expressed her Willingness to take the in
itiative.
ROSY VIEW.
London. Feb 12.-6 p. m.--The British
government has information which leads
it to believe that Japan is likely TO be
in possession of Port Arthur a week from
now. In the best informed Japanese cir
cles here it is privately thought that
the war will be over by July. Those
British officials who are cognizant Of
the extraordinary thoroughness with
which Japan prepared for the war are
inclined to share the japanese view re-
garding the duration of the struggle.
New York, Feb. PA careful study
of the reports that haver cached Ameri-
ca and Europe from the east, including
through official channels would indicate
that but two actual conflicts of any mo-
ment have so far occurred These are
the japanese naval attack on Port Ar
thur on Monday night and Tuesday
morning. and the affair at Chemulpo on
Monday night. Circles whose knowledge
of conditions in thatp art of the world
allows them to state with accuracy the
various reports of other engagements are
considered but echoes these two fights.
News travels slowly in North China. Ca
bic and telegraph facilities are limited
and ii is evident that as reports OF the
Port Arthur and Chemulpo affairs reach
various points they are promptly cabled
by resident correspondents resulting in
a natural confusion or dates. The cir
cumstantial report of another report, sent
by the Reuter- Telegram company from
Toxic, under date of February To- pub
lished in this country yesterday afternoon
undoubtedly referred TO the original Port
Arthur attack. news of which had just
reached Toxic. This belief is strength
ened by the fact that no official confir-
nation has been received of subsequent
engagements and it is pointed out that
such adviceS were received through the
various embassies at Washington prompt
ly on the heels Of the press reports OF
the events of Monday and Tuesday The
flood of conflicting dispatches from vari-
Gus North China points during the Boxer
revolution is recalled. For this reason
the report cabled by the Tien Tsin cor
respondent Of the London standard. that
a Russian feet had bombarded HakadOte
has been entirely disregarded
Naval men in this city say that sof AZ
a is known the only Russian vessels in
position to make "A move are those at
Vladivostock. ard that it cannot for a
moment be thought they would be with
drawn from the defense Of the important
depot. even il they are free of ice and
not blocked mp by a japanese squadron
as has been reported.
In view of tie fact that there is no
cable communication between Japan and
China except by way OF Shang Hal. It
is to say thel east. improbable that such
important news would be first heart in
the inland town Of Tien Tsin.
The dispatch Of last night from St
Petersburg that the cablef rom VIadi-
yOsrock 70 Nagasaki. the telegraph line
from Seoul to Masampo ard the telegraph
line from Seoul 10 Wonsan. are broken,
limits communication with Japan 70 the
cables that land al Shang Hal which are
under japanese censorship. This * ad-
ditional reasons 70 discredit the vague
reports of further engagements
Chez Foo. Feb ii--(Delayed in trans
mission The British steamer Fuping.
when leaving Port Arthur. was fired upon
by Russians. Three Chinese mem nbers Of
the crew were wounded The Russians
afterwards apologized for 1rins c1 the
vessel The FupiHg. upon its arrival at
Wei Hal Wei fled a protest with the
British consul
The American consul has reported 20
United States Minister Conger tha; the
Russian authorities have refused 70 al
low the American steamer Piesldes 70
leave Port Arthur The Pleaides sailed
from Seattle February > with cargo
ef foGr
LIBERAL GIFTS.
5, Petersburg. Feb le.-Couat Won
OnteondashkofI. ore % the closest
~ friends of Emperor Alexander III.
VIII bc head OF the Red Cross work under
the empress dazaEer- TIE Red Cross
has received an appropriation ~ 3. .spa.f.,)
from the city of 81 Petersburg. and the
merchants ~ The city have promised 90
give s-59ass more TIE city % Mosco~
ard The merchants thsre have contr1 b1;ei
so ~. AID IL - expected that the
amount available for BED Cross work val
reach E.eoos within week Al the
Officers in the ministries have PROMISED
70 contribute from 10 = per ceEt %
their salaries
Fcur Thousand hospital beds are rssdy
for shipment and 400 more ND go for
X&Ed z.t5Ia = soztaiSat