The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-19
RUSSIA PUZZLED.
Much Uncertainty Regarding
Attitude of China.
Also as to Where Admiral Togo
Gets His Coal.
1T COMES AND GOES.
Never Away Long Enough to
Return TO Japan.
Siege of Port Arthur Now Would
BE Welcomed.
1T COMES AND GOES

oSf PllNdlG
IS not completely reassuring as regards
China's sincerity in observing a neu-
tral attitude. Secret advices Indicate
that at least portion of the party in
the Chinese government is abettiag
the japanese. Although at first reIuc-
ant to credit these reports, the Rus
sian authorities continue to receive ev-
1dence that the japanese contemplate
landing on Chinese neutral territory
west of the Lao river and 1900 men
are being held especially to await de-
Velopments in that direction. More
over the emperors naval experts VINO
have been studying carefully the puz-
zle as to where Vice Admiral Togo's
meet IS cOaling and provisioning be
tween its appearances off Port Arthur
are becoming more and more convinc-
eQ Inat 1t is using as a base some
quiet spot on the Chinese sea coast
AFTER each disappearance not a word
is heard OF the fleets whereabouts IN
I'll II reappearS. A calculation of time
ana distance shows 1t is quite impOSSi-
bic for the fleet to steam to Nagasaki
or Hieroshima, talke on board coal and
ammunition and come back. 1t is also
certain the japanese WarShipS could
not take on coal, much less heavy pro-
3ectiles, at sea in the face of the pre-
Vatltng rough weather. TIL idea that
they are using Chemulpo Fusan or
some other place on the Korean coasts
for this purpose is rejected, as it is be
Heved if such were the case the nurn-
erouS secret correspondents and secret
agents of the Russians in Korea, would
certainly have reported the fact. So
Dy process of elimination the Russians
seem compelled to arrive at the con
elusion that the vessels of the Japa-
nese feet must be reflling their bunk
ers in some inlet On the Chinese coast,
either on the gulf of Lao Tung or
FF--
ports and inhabited centers that the
correspondents are unable to obtain
knowledge OF it.
The dwindling number of Japanese
battleships appearing off Port Arthur Is
increasing the cC9 - On that many of
them have had to 4 II back to Japan for
a thorough refitting.
. A high naval officer said.-~~
we probably viii never know how
many of their ships were crippled or
sunk, a least until the war is over''
The failure of the Japanese to rush
their operations evokes agreeable dis
appointment here, as it gives the Rus
SLAMS the time necessary to complete
their preparations. A Japanese landing
on the Lao Ting peninsula to besiege
Port Arthur would rather be welcomed
now, as it would not be a large force,
yet would weaken the frontal attack
eFOm Korea.
1t was reported soon after the Japan
ese began their operations off Port Ar
thur that they had seized one of the
Elliott islands situated in the Korean
gulf less than 100 miles east by north
of Port Arthur for use as a base, and
the Toxic correspondent of the London
Times, March I, cables that a Japanese
squadron took possession of Hal Yang
Tao, one of the Elliott group, February
% The correspondent added that the
japanese found there only stores of coal
and signalling flags, the Russians hav-
ing evacuated the island February %.
PLEDGE SUPPORT TO RTTGGTA
New York, March 19.-Resolutions
pledging support and extending SYM
pathy to the Russian people in their
struggle with the Japanese were
adopted here at a meeting of Ameri-
can citizens of Slavic origin. While
deploring the necessity of taking up
the arms the resolutions state that the
subscribers reserve the right to COM
init themselves to any cause, and sup
port is offered Russia because,
First-We are firmly convinced that
the Russian people are waging a war
of selfdesense and not one of con-
quest.
"Seeond-We recognize that a nation
throbbing with virility and ambition
like the Russian nation must have an
outlet to an ice free seaboard.
Third-We are not unmindful of the
enduring services which the Russian
people had rendered the cause of
Christianity, and
"Fourth-We maintain that there is
less 10 tear from the DeacBIui aRRToS-
sion of the Russian people than there
is to dread from the Industrial and
commercial domination of the Pacific
ocean by 500, 900, COO yellow men to
whose traditions, mode of life aud
thoughts we are and must remain
strangers"
RUSSIANS POUR INTO KOREA.
st. Petersburg, March 19-Russian
troops continue to pour into northern
Korea. They are in excellent condi-
ton. It is said tyDhus fever is raging
among the Japanese forces.
CANNONADING MADE HIM DEAF.
Moscow, March 19-Mme. Shtchen-
snovitch has been Informed that her
husband. commander of the battleship
Retvizan. has become deaf as the re-
suit of the cannonading in the repelIing
of Japanese assaults on Port Arthur
SQUADRON LEAVES VLADIVOSTOK
Paris, March ia Petit Parisen St
Petersburg correspondent telegraphs:
Learn from a sure source that Rus
sian Vladivostok squadron left port 70
hours ago. The officers refuse to dis
cuss the destination of the squadron
The correspondent has had an inter-
view with Finance Minister KokoSoff
who expressed surprise at the recent
panic on the Paris bOurse, adding that
Russia had protted by buying Russian
stocks at bottom prices The minister
declared that the gold reserve in the
bank was actually increasing and if
any metal was to be sent to the seat
of war it would be silver to the use OF
which the Oriental were accustomed.
He said the Russian mint was casting
silver bars. similar to those employed
in Manchuria. for the use of the Rus
sian officers there. Finally the min
lister denied all knowledge of any pur-
pose on Russia's part to float a loan in
PEKIN THREATENED.
The Standards Tien Tsin cores
pondent says that Paul Lessar. Rus