The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-19
Feeling That The United States
is Not Friendly Seems
to be Growing
EMPIRE HAS ALREADY
100000 MEN IN FIELD
VIII Act on the Defensive Until Her
Army Is Fully MobIlzed-Re-
qures $4,000 Men to
Guard Railroad.

st. Petersburg. February 1S.-The infor-
nation contained in press dispatches from
Washington that secretary Hay had an
nounced the negotiations in connection
with his note to the powers on the sub
ject of the integrity of China to be closed
without awaiting Russia's formal
sponse. came as surprise to the official
circles here.
An official of the foreign office with
whom the representative of the Associated
Press talked on this affair appeared to be
rather nonplussed at this unexpected con-
cusion to the American proposal, but he
displayed no irritation, and said:
IF this Is true, 1t has not changed the
Russian programme. Not to await Rus
sia's reply might, however, offend Rus
sian susceptibilties and tend still fur
ther to increase the feeling already exist
ing here in certain quarters that the
United States is not friendly to Russia.
Government Is Embarrassed.
'In this connection there is doubt
that the government feels somewhat en-
barrassed by the desire of the United
States to install consuls in the open ports
of Manchuria Immediately. The govern
ment does not like to be placed in the po-
sition of putting obstacles in the way
but that entire territory is now under
military control, and these ports would
be within the sphere of the war opera
tions. Furthermore trade is at a stand
still at present and the authorities can
not comprehend why Washington should
press this matter now. None of the pow
ers are seeking to take Immediate ad-
vantage of the privileges accorded by the
Japanese treaties.
"As far as concerns Port Dalny, to
which place an American government
agent has been appointed, the situation
is even worse as it is possible that the
military authorities will soon request all
foreigners to leave"
Answer About Ready.
The Russian reply to Secretary Hays
note is practically ready and will be
handed to Ambassador Mccormick in
few days, probably tomorrow. 1t will
be along the lines already indicated in
these dispatches.
In diplomatic circles here, Secretary
Hays action is considered fine stroke
of diplomacy, as 1t is believed that the
note has brought out general acquIescence
to the point involved.
Owing to existing conditions in the field
and the difficulties in the way of pro-
yiding suitable accommodations Viceroy
Alexieff has recommended that the for
eign military attaches should not join the
Russian army until about March 4, and
the viceroy's views on this matter will
be communicated to the government
which have applied for the privilege of
observing the war from the Russian side.
No official announcement has as yet been
made regarding the report from Toxic
of a second Japanese torpedo attack at
Port Arthur. There are reports here, but
they lack official confirmation, that an
AL dc parf A,-fh ToI1x
was repulsed after heavy firing on both
sides.
Intended as Fent.
According to this story, the attack was
intended as fent to cover landing
at Talien Wan Bay but 1t failed because
the Russian guns were placed with great
foresight to comand that shore. Rus
sian expert says the Japanese evidently
hoped the adjacent group of Eliot Islands
would cover this movement, as they did
the same thing during the Chino-Japanese
war landing simultaneously at Talien
Wan and Kin Chou, thus cutting off Port
Arthur from each side of the Lao Tung
peninsula.
..It surprises me-" this expert continues,
that the Japanese should have made
such a foolhardy attempt to face the
Russians as they know from their spies
Russians as they know from their spies
defended
Will Act on Defensive.
The governments frank statement In
its comminique of this morning of Rus
sia's unpreparedness, owing to Japans
sudden precipitation of hostilities, and
warning the Russian public not to expect
immediate Victories confirms the opinion
which has existed here that Russia will
act upon the defensive until her army is
fully mobilized, and the equipment of the
commissirat Is In perfect working order.
There are already over 100000 men In the
field but this number will be largely aug
mented About 10000 men are required to
guard the railroad.
Almost all the private concerns here
and also at Moscow and other large cities
which intended sending exhibits to the
St Louis exposition. have decided not to
do so, and are donating the moneys they
would have expended in this work to the
Red Cross society and other war pur-
poses.
Gar Agreed With Proposal.
Commissioner Alexandrovsky talked
with the czar on the subject of Russia's
abandonment of her proposed particpa-
ton in the exposition. and his majesty
agreed with the view of the commission
er that this be done.
M. Alexandrovsky smiled when he was
informed by the Associated Press today
of printed report that Japan had ap-
piled for Russia's space at the exposi-
ton. Let them have it, we will COM
pete with Japan elsewhere" he said
Felt Chapter to Be Closed.
Washington, February 1S.-On Tuesday
last the Associated Press quoted a state
department official as stating that there
will be no more notes exchanged at pres