Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-03-08
Today's Telegraphic News
CAR WAITS PEACE.

London, March Gear Nicholas of
Russia, worn out by Russian unprepared-
ness and japanese successes, is anxious
for peace. Such is the tenor of reports
this morning, and the information, sur
prising as il is, is gaining credence in
some quarters. The first intimation that
such might be the condition Of affairs at
the imperial palace was conveyed in
dispatch from Vienna to the Times, in
which the Neue Erie Presse was quoted
as saying that Count Benckendorf, the
Russian Ambassador to England, had
conveyed to King Edward letter from
the Car in which the Little Father made
mention of future mediation and arbitra-
ton of the difficulties with Japan. Later
further reports reached London which
were to the same intent. 1t is said that
the Car would be willing to stop hostili-
ties at once, and refer the whole matter
to the Hague tribunal. Now that the
actual statement, though unconfrmed,
has been made, diplomats are discover
ing reasons why such step should be
taken by the Russian government. To
begin with, the war has never been popu-
lar with the general Russian public, and
there is constant danger that, should
the Russian reyerses continue, internal
dissensions with war at home as well as
abroad will result. Again, the belief
has long been prevalent that official Rus
STA did not want war with Japan, at
this time, as she was totally unprepared
to meet a speedy onslaught Even the
most jingoistic of the Cars advisers did
not think that Japan would take the bull
by the horns so soon, and as result
there must be moves and counter-moves
before the Russians can be fully prepared
to meet the japanese at any thing like
equal terms. Then, too, the japanese
has shown himself not only as prepared
but a determined and educated one. The
strategic moves ofthe MikadO's forces by
sea and land, have caused CONSERVATION
in Russian official circles. The bottling
up of the Russian ships at Port Arthur,
and the cutting off of the Russian ships of
the Yladivostok squadron from its base,
has had the effect of practically putting
an end to Russia's see fighting efficiency
for the time being at least. These acts
are said to have had a most depressing
effect upon the Car, and have made him
wish to end it all. There is no question
that the japanese have executed master
move in their bombardment of Vladivos-
tok. They have caught the defenders
there in a condition, according toreports,
if anything worse than that of the Port
Arthur fighters. Thesupplies at Vladivos-
tok, both food and war munitions, are
said to be meagre Then, too, the fortress
es at Vladivostok are not as strong as
has generally been believed. This Sibe-
rian port has often been termed the Gil
braltar of the East, but it has been such
in name only, ifreports are to be credit
ed The port has been garrisoned and
fortified for forty years past, and while
on the surface it would readily be consid-
cred impregnable, it is said that it is far
frem such. The guns are said to be of
more or less antique style, and with but
short range. The official reports Of the
japanese bombardment state that the
shore batteries did not reply to the Jap
anese fire. This is probably true, as the
japanese were five miles off shore, and
there are believed to be no guns at Vlad-
ivostok sufficiently up to date to carry
that distance. This being true, the Jap
anese can easily hurl destroying shells
into the fortresses without endangering
themselves to any extent.
Rome, March 8.-The Agencia Liberia
today reports that a number of Chinese
and japanese have been massacred in
the Vladivostok district The japanese
government is said to have entered a
protest against the acts.
Paris, March S.-A dispatch from st.
Petersburg, says little fear is entertained
there regarding the safety of the Russian
Vladivostok squadron. The speed of
these vessels, it is believed, will enable
them to avoid an encounter with the
japanese until the commencement of
the summer, when the Russian situation
in the east is expected to be much i'm
proved.
London, March S.-The Exchange
Telegraph Company's Paris correspon-
dent wires that a report has reached
there that the japanese have made
another attempt to block the entrance to
Port Arthur by sinking coasting ships.
Details of the attempt are wanting in
the report.
Port Arthur, March S.-Admiral
MakarOf, who will take charge of the
squadron here temporarily, arrived at
Dalney yesterday. He is expected at
Port Arthur today. Complete tranquil
ity prevails in the districts about here.
Nothing can be seen of the enemy.