davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
CzAn TssUEs DEGREE.
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vVstk 5ApaIE St. Petersburg, { Feb. lO..-The offlcial Messenger this morning contains the fol- lowing Supreme Manifest:''
 By the grace of God. We. Nicholas III, emperor and autocrat of all the Russias, etc, make known to all our loyal sub Jects:
 ''In our solicitude for the malntainance of peace, which Is dear to our heart we made every exertion to consolidate tram quality in the Far East. Tn these peace- full times we signifed assent to the pro- posals of the Japanese government to re- wise agreements regarding Korean affairs existing between the two governments. However the negotiations begun upon this subject were not brought to a con- clusion and Japan, without awaiting the receipt of the last responsive proposals of our government declared the negotiations broken off and diplomatic relations with Russia dissolved.
 "Without advising us of the fact that the breach of such relations would in It. self mean an opening of warlike opsra- tions, the Japanese government gave or- ders to its torpedo boats to suddenly at tack our squadron standing in the outer harbor of the fortress of Port Arthur Up on receiving reports from the Viceroy in the Far East about this. we immediately commanded him to answer the Japanese challenge with armed force.
 Making known this, our decision, we with unshaken faith in the Almighty and with a firm expectation of and reliance upon the unanimous willingness of all our loyal subjects to stand with us in defense of the fatherland. ask Gods blessing upon our stalwart land and naval forces.
 His Imperial Majesty.
 ''Nicholas ''
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
TTrrs BnTwEET COUNSEL.
Judge Fritchard Warns Attorneys n
 the REaehen Casa.

Judge Fritchard Warns Attorneys in
 the 16achen Case.
 Washington, Feb. 10.-The postal trlaY lively tits between counsel for the defence ernment, Justice Pritchard frequently ad- monishing them to proceed orderly,
 Augustus W. Machen occupied the stand the entire day for the most part of which he was under cross examination. As on yesterday he was thoroughly composed and gave his testimony fin conversational style often putting questions to MT. Con% rad designed to assist him In bringing ous some particular point. He went over his connection with the oil venture in great detail and in many instances did not re- quire documents to refresh his memoryv saying he could give the facts ''by heart"
 He reiterated the statement that he rec- commended the Gronf fastener because of it's merits and not through the infuencal either of the Grofes or Lorenz.
 He explained that when he came t0i Washing to assume his duties he owed ss0.OOO and at the present time owes bus 5000 of that debt.
 It was brought out by the government that since 1899 Machen had deposited in e Westminster, Md, bank over $77,00O ana he was asked concerning the varlouH sources of money mentioned by him.
 A wrangle of counsel lasting half an, hour followed over the propriety of a' question bearing on the point. the court reserving decision after requesting thal question to be withdrawn temporarily
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
MASAMPHO IN <
 JAPS' HtxDS
Russian Vessels Seized as Prizes of War--FOrmal
 Declaration Expected

Tokio.s Feb. 1o.-Japan seized Masain- pho Sunday and dispatched heavy force there. Japan will fortify the port a1d establish a naval base there. MesamI.ho is an exceedingly important point. as 1t controls the Korean channel and 1t is an excellent base for future operations.
 A formal declaration of war is expect ed tonight. The proclamation has been prepared and approved by the Cabinet. Foreign Minister Kumara has gone to the palace to secure the Empero ors ap- proval.
 The Japanese have captured at leAct five Russian commercial steamers, tnclud- ing the Ekaterinoslav, Moukden, Russia. Argun and Alexander. They were cap tured by the Japanese in Korean and ad- jacent waters at various times since Sat urday by small cruisers. Some of the steamers are rich prizes. The small steamer Keok is detained at Yokohama, its status not being clear. ...-
 The Mikado is personally superintend- ing affairs, and the cabinet holds daily sessions. The government has issued or ders for the protection of all Russian subjects residing in Japan. Baron Ka- kano and Baron Sukematsu have been sent to the United States and Great Bri- tain to explain Japan's position and at- titude in the present connlct.
 Japan Rejoices.
 Undsunted by the absence of ofnciai combinations, Japan is rejoicing over great naval victory at Port Arthur.
 Early to-day came a cabled report from Japanese consul at Che Foo saying that early Monday the Japanese torpedo boats destroyed three large warships off Port Arthur. Thereafter Admiral Tago's fieet of sixteen warships engaged the entire Russian fleet remaining off the port. The consul was unable to give the result Of the main engagement. but said when the steamship Columbia passed the scene of action all the Japanese warships were preserving the alignment and fighting vigorously and steadily and apparently uninjured.
 The newspapers here published extra editions containing news of the battle and produced the first popular demon stration of the war. Flags were raised everywhere and excited crowds thronged the streets.
 Later in the day came cablegram from Paris saying that Viceroy Alexieff had reported to St. Petersburg saying that three ships had been injured by tor pedo boat attack, '1.-----'-es,s-> EFa F4a a It
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
:0RTUNES OF WAR STILL iAASAMPHO

s embarrassing to Russia or as seeking to press her concerning the integrity of China. The French authorities appear quite willing and even anxious to have China declare her neutrality. They de- sire to have the least possible interrup- ton in international shipping in Far East ern ports, and also will seek individually and collectively, to confine the area of hostilities so as to reduce the chance of a general spread of the confagration.
 But. relative to the integrity of China, 1t is not likely that any step will be taken. If the term China" is inended to include Manchuria. It is held that this is con- sistent with the past French attitude con- corning the integrity of China. which was construed to be entirely distinct from the provinces of the Chinese Empire. includ- ing Manchurla, Thibet and Mongolia. However, the foregoing is only the gen. eral tendency. the negotiations being still open with the prospect of their rather lengthy continuance.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
THE VATICAN CONCERNED.
Interests of Catholics in Far East al
 Stake,

Rome Feb. 10.-The voce Della verita. the Vatican organ, today referring to the war in the Far East says that "tIleglti- mate interference" prevented the late Pope from participating in the peace con- ference at The Hague, adding, "The ab- sence of a papal representative has brought no good fortune to the conceiver of the conference, as the Czar is the first to fight with a foreign country and Europe has separated herself from klle questions in dispute. \ .s"tR the late Pope tlcipatea 8A rha TIa6ns ohnfasepcs: 5f,6rhAps the fitfsnes Of the present Pore inignt ilav6 resulted in avaiding a conflict, the con sequences of which are unmeasurabie."
 The Vatican authorities are most pre- occupied with the condition of the Catho- lie missions in Korea, Manchuria and Japan. which are entrusted to Bishops be- longing to the foreign mission of Paris, who have spiritual control over 5000 Catholics in Japan, 4,20O in Korea and 4S0O in Manchuria, 1t being predicted that the Catholic church will suffer in case of either victory or the defeat of Japan.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11

 THE RESERVES
VicerOy Alexieff Collecting Troops for Battle in
 the Far East.

St. Petersburg, Feb. 1o-m D. m.)- Viceroy Aiexieff began today the mobili- zation of the army reserves in Eastern Asia.
 The publication of extra editions of the newspapers containing accounts of the reported injuries to Japanese ships during the Port Arthur engagements and the sinking of the battieship Shikashima led to demand on the editors for the source of their Information. They replied, "It came from the British embassy" These reports were received everywhere with manifestations of joy, but nothing con hrming them has come from viceroy Alex ieff $
 The only additional intelligence the Viceroy has sent up to this hour is the names of the wounded officers. among whom were Lieutenant Colonel Zaiontch- kovsky. of the artillery corps, who was on board the transport Angora and a midshipman on board the battleship &c., bastopol.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
RUSSIA IS VERY WROTE.
Accuses Japan of Treachery at Port
 Arthur

St. Petersburg, Feb. 10-2:10 D. m.-No further details of the fighting of Port Arthur have been made public here, be- yond the official bulletins.
 Telegrams from abroad concerning the attacks have been received. All news paper dispatches over the Siberian line have been stopped and the telegraph off, flee refuses to accept private messages for the Far East except over the Persian line.
 Scepticism is expressed In certain quar- ters that the full extent of the Russian losses has not been given out, but in government circles the official bulletins are accepted as accurately representing the extent of the disaster, the general expression being that the Russian au- thorities did not expect early successes, especially at sea.
 The whole city anxiously waited last night for official news Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in and around the newspaper offices and a crowd of people literally besieged the ministry of the in- terior where the Official Messenger is published. smart carriages driving up in quick succession and the highest and lowest of the inhabitants waiting in the ante room or camping in snow covered streets waiting patiently far into the morning for the numbers containing the official bulletins.
 The text of these communications had leaked out among the newspaper men, but as the law forbids the publication of such documents until they have appear ed in the Official Messenger. the editors had to wait until the government organ printed the news before starting their own presses.
 The Associated Press representative, calling on a we'll known editor, found him surrounded by throng of officers and prominent citizens imploring him to read to them the telegrams he had just re- ceived
 The editor. pale with emotion. recited the narrative of the bombardment Of Fort Arthur. More people kept coming in and the editor was compelled to read 1t over and over again. The crowds ex- pressed furious impatience at the fact
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
SMILE UPON THE JAP;
 SEIZED AND SEVERAL VESSELS TAKEN

that nothing was said about injuries in- fiicted upon Japanese warships.
 The intense indignation with which the news of "the stab in the back infiict- ed by Japan" was received here seems to be general throughout the Russias. The whole empire is fired by the war fever.
 The state of feeling here was illustrat- eu at the theaters last night. when peo- pie demanded the national anthem.
 More remarkable was the refusal of the drosky drivers yesterday to accept money from officers when they drove to the palace.
 The newspapers in general denounce the action of Japan as treachery, declar- ing that 1t Is truly Asiatic," but insist ing that the issue of the conflict will not be decided by the naval engagements. as the Japanese will have to meet Russia on la.-~, when the score will be wiped out. The Novoe Vremye says 1t is quite possi- ble that the whole of Korea has been overrun by Japanese soldiers in disguise and that Russia may first have to as- sume the defensive, but when her forces in Southern Manchuria and Korea are increased, the Japanese will realize what they have to meet.
 God, right and international law are on our side,' the Russ says, and con- tinues:
 "one hundred and thirty million Rus sian hearts are beating in unison in the desire to expunge the traitorous slight on Russia honor. Enough of defensive tacticsi Let us drive out the foe"
 The Bourse Gazette says:
 Yesterday we longed for peace. Now, we think only of war. The world soon will be startled by Russia's heroic work. Japan has placed herself beyond the pale of civilization. The upstart, pigmy Japan would not have dared to attack the giant Russia without the encouragement of England and America"
 The Russians claim to have authority for saying that the two new Japanese war ships (the Nisshin and Kasuga) were saved from certain capture by the Rus- sian squadron bound for the Far East under Admiral Wirenius by the action of the commander of a British battleship in placing his vessels across the Suez canal and hoisting a signal of distress, thus delaying the Russians two days.
 The anti-British feeling here Is bitter. 1t being asserted that the Japanese at- tack on Port Arthur was launched from Wei-Hai-Wei,
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
SAYS HE IS INNOCENT
Has no Knowledge of The Bedford Tragedy. 
Says He Never Saw Miss schaser and Did Not Know That There Was Such a Woman
 Living.

Jeffersonviile, Ind. Feb. io.-As an aes, compartment to his protestations of ind nocence. James Mcdonald, under arrests charged with the murder Of Miss Schafers at Bedford, Ind. made the following statement to the officers at the ReformA-l tory.
 My right name is William Parsons, although am known by the name of James Mcdonald. So far as the crime with which am charged is concerned, am as innocent as a man could be. sbue I have done wrongs In my life. and if q get forgiveness for them I don't eag&' what becomes of me in this case.
 Knows Nothing of It.
 T got into this through my own fouSs ishness. made false statements befor9 the court of inquiry. I. can't explain why did 1t. but suppose 1t was because I wanted to make people think knew something about the murder.
 T know absolutely nothing about the crime. The nearest I was to the placa where Miss Schafer was murdered was over half a block away. at thel doctors office. I did not see her that night, usxeNs did see her. and did not know there was such a woman living. ; ss -
 ''1 am not afraid to go back to Bedford for know I am innocent. T. do not care about going back, though, and may be it would be more sensible for me to stay here"
 Parsons sustained his declaration oAs nerve with courageous demeanor, ac~i cording to the officers, and does not ap- pear greatly worried over the position he Is in. He manifested no desire to get an attorney to look after his interests, and seemed rather to rely implicitly on Sheriff Smith and to feel that the further Investigations of the sheriR would prove hjs innocence
 It was feared that McDonald would ira- stitute habeas curpus proceedings ana thereby obtain his release from the 1ezF feraonviile Reformatory. theEe hesK& some doubt es 10 the authcxttr az 8gnxc2 Smith of Bedford t0seoErzns1s klk2 n&4 10 tsse Ntnte dnesltpSs xo5 cent q z.s3 ss5 .tIl Eehraass ls szAn Dsslsfa lssASs s
 S1&i ss Aela
 .kns Atkot General suexsstsd that the authorlEiss oAtain from Mcdonald | statement that he was willing to remain in the institute until the preliminary Mcdonald readily gave his consent.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
WELCOMED BY RUSSIA.
Secretary Hays Note is Received
 With Favor.

St. Petersburg, Feb. 1o.-Q1 p. m.)-The statement that Secretary Hay had issued a note to the powers asking them to join in insisting upon the recognition of the in- tegrity of China and Korea during and after hostilfties. created much comment in diplomatic circles here, where any &C., tion taken with the view of localizing the theatre of war Is welcomed. There seem- ed to be great doubt, however, of the pro- priety of adhering to the latter clauses of MT. Hays note, pending more definite advices. I
 At the Foreign Office, where there is some disposition to distrust the purposes of the United States, an authoritative ex- pression was not obtainable.
 Foreign Minister Lamsdorff. talking to the diplomats at his reception this after noon. spoke feellngiy of Japan's action and declared the Czar had done all in his power to avoid a conflict but the events qa the. past lew days had proved Japan 10 be bent upon war an that no conces- sions Russla could have offered would have restrained heF
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
Pittshurp Coal stonlhnldara.

New York. Feb. 10.-The annual meet ing of the stockholders of the Pittsburg Coal Company was held today in Jersey City. The old members of the board of directors with the exception of three, were reelected. George c. Oliver was chosen to succeed Henry W. Oliver of Pittsburg, deceased: James H. Beal. Pitts burg, succeeds w. P. Murray and James J. Sullivan of Cleveland. succeeds D. R. Hanna. The annual statement showed that the company had earned net profits during the year of $e.7S1,023, the largest since it's organization in 1899. The Pitts burg Coal Company is a combination Of several companies and is capitalized at. &6l. .7OO.0O0.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
Statement by Mclean.

Mayor McLane to-day gave out a statement with refc. ence to calling for Federal troops and outside financial as- sistance. On the first question the May or said:
 "The Federal authorities have offered to give us any assistance that we may need At first l thought that the State militia and the police would be able to take care of the situation. but after a conference with a committee from the Governor and with the Governor I be- lieve that we should have the protection of Federal troops While the militia is on duty the expense falls on the State whereas if the Federal troops come into the city. their salaries are paid by the government
 When the big financial institutions open temporary offices for the transac- ton of business, they will have to re- move funds and valuable papers from their vaults to these temporary quar- ters. In the transportation of these pa- pers armed men will be required to ac- company the messengers or wagons"
 Many Want Passes.
 All day long there was a large crowd of persons around the headquarters of Brigadier General Riggs clamoring for passes admitting them inside the fire lines. Positive orders were given. how ever, not to issue permits to go through the lines to any one except the presi- dents or other responsible officials of banks and trust companies.
 A number of large vaults and safes were opened to-day in each of them the contents were found to be in good con- ditlon. Four hundred thousand dollars in coin and legal tender notes was taken from the vaults of the Third National Bank and sent to the vaults of a bank outside the fire district A heavy guard of soldiers accompanied the money
 The bankers of the city are doing their best to help the financial situation, some of the burned out banks resuming business in a small way at their tenn porary quarters. Most of the checks for the small amount presented to-day were cashed but those for large sums were not paid in full.
 Telegrams letters and resolutions offer Ir..Af....A a. nn.. n,---. N
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
State pepartment,s Livery.

Washington. Feb. 10.-The State De- partments answer to the House carriage resolution was transmitted to that body today by President Roosevelt. The an- swer sums up the livery as follows: The department maintains for the use of the Secretary and assistant secretaries one Brougham, one victoria, two depot wagons, one surrey, four horses. three sets of single harnes. one set of double harness" The total cost of this oilAfit Is $2.s45 Four assistant messengers at s6O month are employed as drivers. No footmen or automobiles are employed
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11

London, Feb. 1o.-A despatch to Reuters Telegram Company from St. Petersburg says that M. Kurino, the retiring Japa- nese Minister to Russia, and his staff have left there for Berlin.
 There was large crowd at the station when the party boarded the train.
 Police and gendarmes kept a space clear for the travellers and there was no hostile demonstration.
 Continuing, the correspondent says a royal ukase has been issued which au- thorizes Viceroy Alexieff to mobilize the reserves within his viceroyalty.
 Dispatches to The Daily Mail from Tokio and Nagasaki dated Feb. 10 report the arrival at Sasebo, Japan. of two large Russian steamers. One is the volunteer fleet association transport Ekaterinoslax which recently landed troops and arms at Port Arthur and the other is the steamer Argun, belonging to the Chinese Eastern Railroad Company. Both were captured by the Japanese cruisers Sal Yen and Hei Yen in the neighborhood of Fusan, Korea. The Ekaterinoslav is of 10000 tons dis placement and had been fitted up as an auxiliary cruiser. She had thirty rifles on board and was on her way from Vladivostock. The Argun was going to Vladivostock from Negasaki-
 The Russian whalers Glorige, Nicelai Alexandra and Michael captured by the Japanese have also arrived at Sasebo.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
Rnssia Firad First

Washington. Feb. 1O-Mr. Takahira, the Japanese minister. has received ad- vices from the Japanese foreign office re- gardng the naval engagement of Che mulpo similar to those made public to- day by Minister Nayashi in London. Mir. Takahlra thinks it Is especially import ant to note that the first overt act was committed by the Russian gunboat Ko- rietz. which fired on the Japanese torpe- do boats.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
Bankers Confer With Palma.

Havana, Feb. 10.-There was cohIer- ence at the palace tonight between the principal applicants for the Cuban loan and President Palma and the Secretary of the Treasury after which It was infer red that portions of the bonds probably will be taken by each of the leading in- terests represented. The weekly cabinet meeting which is held Weonesday was nostponed on account of the conference.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
TAKING OF MAsAMPHo.
Occurred Before he"Fight at Port
 Arthur

Che Foo, Feb. 10 Upon the withdrawal of the Japanese Minister at St. Peters, burg, the Japanese fleet and transports proceeded to Masampho, which was oc- cupied, and the fleet then sailed for POst Arthur. The rest of the Japanese ships are guarding Northern Japan. fearing that Russia might land force from Vladivostock, and for the further put- pose of preventing four Russian cruisers from joining the fleet at Port Arthur.
 Other Japanese war vessels are cruis- ing to intercept Russian vessels coming from Singapore.
 The Russian battleships damaged at Port Arthur are the Peresviet, Czarevitch and Retvizan. The cruiser Royarin vas beached when the tide was falling and has not been fioated and will be dam aged. as a northeast gale was blowing all day.
 The Japanese fleet has probably retired to Masampho, and 1t is not known whe h. CT there was another attack on Tuesday night.
 General Tchickhikoff took command of the Russian troops in Manchuria today.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-11
MUST PLEASE RUSSIA.
France Will Do Nothing tc Offend
 the Czar,

Paris, Feb. 1O.-The overtures of tine United States Government to the powers for preserving the neutrality and intcS- rity of China during and after the hosttl- tties between Russia and Japan, are at- tracing widespread attention. United States Ambassador Porter conferr:d lengthily with Foreign Minister Delcasse yesterday and again today The results have not been made public. but the gen. eral situation is as follows;
 It does not apear probable that an ac- cord of the powers can be reached at the present time owing to difference in the view of concentration of attention on the actual events of the war. It Is practical " certain that France will not take any Aclon which would be possibly construed