The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-13

nenses The imperial treasury had /
s422. 500, 600 gold in reserve May 6, to |
cover 1922, 800, 600 paper in circulation, |
thus enabling Russia to issue another |
$3.50. 600 600 This would have permit |
ted her to meet the war expenses |
without having to resort to a foreign 1
ed it advisa bic to avoid recourse to |
measures which would be likely TO ex-
haust the last resources OF the coun- /
try, a step to be aVerted during the |
war The comparatively high per cent |
is compensated for by the shortness of |
the terms which will enable the Rus
sian government to resort to CONVEX
sion of them after five years when the
present political difficulties are over.
Russia's Internal Weakness.
Rome May IA secret report re-
ceived from st. Petersburg depicts the
internal situation of Russia as be-
preservation of the present institu-
tions, the military failures in the east
having strengthened the opinion that
the evils are due to the present or
a change is necessary. The hope is
expressed that the emperor himself,
seeing the danger, will be induced to
grant the country a constitution, in
which event the enthusiasm of the
people will become so great as to rem
der it possible to raise an army and
collect the means necessary to defeat
Japan Otherwise, the report says, it
is believed all the efforts made at ST.
Petersburg will remain futile, as be-
sides the war in the far east Russia
Will be obliged to face latent if not
an open revolutionary movement at
home, depriving her of the assistance
Of the most progressive elem tents of the
empire, such as the Poles and Firms.
StoesseI Is Confident.
st. Petersburg, May 13.-It is evil
dent from a private letter written by
an artillery officer at Port Arthur,
dated April 20, that General Stoessel,
the Russian commander there was
then daily expecting the cutting off of
his communication The officers re-
ported everything was ready to with
stand siege, and expressed surprise
at the fact that the enemy had de-
layed so long. He said the fortress
was practically impregnable, adding
that there was a triple row of forts
around the Port Arthur glaces ex-
posed to front by mOat with a hedge
of barbed wire beyond, with bomb
proofs behind all the batteries. The
officer further declared that they had
plenty of supplies and ammunition
and that the garrison was in excellent
spirits and confident of being able to
hold for nine months or a year
against any number of the enemy,
even if they possessed siege guns.
General Kuropatkin offered General
Stoeseu reinforcements, but the latter
declined them, saying he had enough
men and did'n care to run the risk
of an epidemic as the result of over
/ crOWulnS.
Information reaching the general
staff indicates there is much sickness
among the enemy's troops in Korea,
| typhus especially is said to be ram
pant.
Port Arthur Cut on Again.
St. Petersburg. May 13-6:4O P. M
Both telegraph and railway communi-
cation with Port Arthur have been cut
off.
Defense of Anju.
Washington May 13-The state de-
partment has received advices from
Minister Allen at Seoul to the effect
that a considerable body of Cossacks
are reported to have arrived south of
the Yalu river.
The minister further states that in
the attack made on Anju on the 10th
and 11th, 20 japanese soldiers, protect
ed by walls, held off 500 Cossacks.
Fear a FIanking Movement.
Seoul, May 13.-It is asserted here
that the Japanese garrisons between
/ Ping Yang and Wiju have sent scout
ing parties through the country east of
Cha SyOng, the extreme right of the
Japanese forces on the Yalu river, in
anticipation of a Russian fianking
movement. The Japanese authorities
here consider it fortunate that the Cos
sack raiders who passed around fur
ther east, did not do more damage than
they did.
The japanese first army having en-
} I6I6Q AdICHQT1d the elIlI6 COllIOl u
Korea will shortly be given to General
| Haraguchi the Japanese commander
here. A military depot will be estab-
/ lished at Seoul
Infantry pioneers and officers of the
reserve have left Seoul for Chinampo,
where they will strengthen the line be-
| yond Ping Yang. Further Japanese
forces are expected here to strengthen
the garrison, which hitherto has been
! constantly changed. Troops are being
! sent to guard the Seoul-F'usan railway
/ line. The report that the Korean min
/ listers who resigned May II, because the
/ emperor lectured them for neglect of
! their duties, have withdrawn their res
! ignations is confirmed.
Newport Goes to ChefOO.
Shanghai May 13.-6 p. m.-The
United States cruiser Newport has left
here for Chefoo. The Chinese in the
vicinity of New Chwang are restless
and it is considered advisable to have
warships near there when the Russians
withdraw from New Chwang. The
United States cruiser Raleigh will
leave Shanghai tomorrow for Chin
Kiang on the Yang Use river, where
an attempt of the Chinese government
to establ u public market resulted
in rioting recently during which sev
/ eraI persons were killed.