Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-13
News Caused Profound Sensation in
Naval and Military Circles.

The news of the death of Admiral Maka-
rolf caused profound sensation in naval
and military circles here. for he was proba-
bly, better known than any other Russian
naval officer. THIS was because of the fact
that he had visited the United States in
fS9G'91. and also commanded the Russian
North Pacific squadron. which brought him
into contact with mcrican naval officers
in those waters and sometimes into Ameri-
can ports on the west coast. The general
opinion is that Makaroff was an officer of
singular ability, sailor being thorough
Iy scientific in his methods of more than
usual intelligence. and of a physical pres
ence which gave him splendid power Of
command In the matter of personal BRAY
cry he had no superior. and the only fault
found with his character was that it tended
to rashness in the pursuit of a forlorn hope
When 1miral Makaroff visited the United
States at the date named. in addition to
other places of particular interest to naval
men. he went to Newport. where he met
Rear Admiral Taylor ard Captain Converse
at the War College and torpedo school.
Capt Converse says that from first to
last he showed the highest powers of OBJ
servation. and he criticised intelligently
every detail of the process of making
smokeless powder for the navy which was
then being developed at Newport naval
station At that time the station was max
ing smokeless powder in the shape of long
strips, which We're arranged like fagots III
the cartridge case. That form is now IN
use in the Russian and French navies. and
there are signs of disposition on the part
of the United States navy to return to It's
use. 1t was abandoned principally because
of the difficulty of drying the strips so as TO
keep them from warping.
Makaroff inquired how the strips We're
dried straight. and Capt Converse told
him that this was accomplished with difti-
Guilty by placing weights upon them while
,<I,,fy, hot
cess was better. 1t consisted in forming
the strip with small hole in one end and
hanging it while drying from one OF many
thousand hooks in a suitable building The
latter plan is practiced today.
The belief obtains in naval circles that
Makaroff became discouraged at the out
look at Port Arthur and that he went to his
death almost voluntarily, determined to
cripple the japanese fleet or lose everything.
Count Cassini Distressed.
Count Cassini. the Russian ambassador,
received the news of the disaster that befell
the Russian battle ship Petropavlosk at
Pert Arthur and the death of Admiral
Makaroff and the other officers and men
who persisted with the sinking of the ship.
through Associated Press dspa tches. which
were shown the ambassador this morning
The ambassador at that time without
any official dispatches from his govern
ment advising him of the disaster. Natural
ly he was distressed to learn of the death
o. Admiral Makaroff and the other officers
and men who We're lost in consequence OF
the destruction of the ship.
Minister Takahira's Regrets
The japanese minister had heard nothing
concerning the reported engagement off
Port Arthur up to late hours this after
noon. When advised of the death of Ad-
mira Makaroff he expressed sorrow. but
said he believed the incident would serve
to increase the confidence of the people in
JapanS naval strength
Nal. ba Sai1 of