The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-16
Numerous Offers Of Aid and
Loans Have Been Made
in This Country
BATTLE OF CHI MULPO
is VIVIDLY DESCRIBED
Men From Many Different Countries
of the World Have offered to
Enlist in Japan's Army
and Navy.

TolSil, February 15.-Marquis Ito today
gave the Associated Press a written ex-
preston of his sentiments toward the
American people as follows.
1T Is with profound satisfaction that I
see so many symptoms of spontaneous
sympathy with which the free thinking
people Of your great nation seem to watch
the present crisis. In my opinion. it was
evident that Russias high-handed ex-
pansion toward the hegemony of the
Korea, combined with her strict military
efforts hereabouts. has been becoming a
daily menace to our future safety and
peaceful existence.
Either to enter into a cordial and DUR
able understanding with her clearly de-
fnlng and mutually recognizing the re-
spective spheres of interests and bind
ing her thereby to certain amount of
self-resrtaint in the future or else to have
the recourse to measures for safeguarding
our future Independence ere Il was too
late, was the drastic dilemma from
which we could no longer escape. We
have tried our best to obtain our object
ny the first alternative, and we have sac
rihoed much energy and time and many
opportunities for the sake of peace
Must Defend Themselves.
Having failed. however. there remains
no other way for us but to stand up in
defence Of our own future safety and
our own future undsturbed enjoyment of
the fruits of peace and civilization No
trace of race prejudice no smack OF
revenge of chauvnism, nothing but tho
cool reason Of state necessity and Of
self preservation influenced Japans ac-
ton.
The rest leave to the impartial judg-
ment of civilized nations, which In the
course of their past history must have
had many experiences OF noble struggles
in defence of the honor and safety of
their countries l take this opportunity
OF expressing my thanks once more for
all the cordial hospitality shown me DUR
ing my sojourn In America"
Many Contributions offered.
Toxic. Sunday, February l4.-CDeiayed
in transmission.) )--coreo Takahira. the
Japanese minister at Washington, has
officially advised his government that he
is receiving numerous offers of large con-
tributions to the war fund from Amerj-
cans, and requests instructions as to the
policy of the government In the matter
1t Is considered possible that Japan will
refuse to accept this proffered aid while
stating that Japan is deeply gratified at
this and other expressions of American
sympathy.
The cabinet will consider the question
and formally instruct Minister Takahlra
shortly. Many applications for permis-
sion to enlist In the Japanese army and
navy are coming from various parts of
the world
Anxious to Join Japanese.
Some of those anxious to fight for Japan
have applied personally to the military
authorities here. Among this number 10
included a Turkish officer. All of these
applications have been politely but firm
ly refused. No foreigners will be allowed
to participate In the military or naval
operations Of Japan except as spectators.
At a meeting of the bankers, newspaper
proprietors and commercial men held in
Toxic, II was resolved to support the
government irrespective of partyz lines.
so as TO prevent domestic affairs from
distracting the nation from prosecution of
the war.
A detailed report of his battle at Port
Arthur has not yet been received from
Vice Admiral Togo by the navy depart
ment and the public Is. as yet. without
the full particulars Of the engagement.
A letter from one OF the men who par
ticipated In the naval fight says that the
torpedo attack succeeded through
clever feint.
Held the Russian Attention.
The majority of the vessels comprising
the torpedo hotilla maneuvered In front
OF the Russian line and held its atter-
tion while the rest of the torpedo boats
worked around to the rear and got close
to the enemy before being discovered.
They then fired their destructive missiles
and scurried away from danger as quicx-
ly as possible.
No further news of the Russian Vladi-
vostock squadron has beer received here.
1t is thought to have return, i - tie rart
of Vladivostock in preference to risking
a fight or exhausting it's ftel
Great Activity Continues.
Enormous military activity continues.
but the government carefully conceais It's
plans and does not indicate the date af
any projected movement. Although every
moment of delay enables the Russians to
become better prepared r1r the conflict,
the Japanese apparently are unconcerhed,
and confident.
They fully realize that the limited ca
pacity of the Trans-Sberian railway, ths
distance of the Russians from their base
OF supplies and the lack Of communlca-
tion BY sea, sets limitations on the pro-
posed accomplishments OF Russia in Man.
churia and Siberia. They feel that no
danger attaches In that quarter and are