The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-28
United States Suspected as
 Secret Enemy.
Now Said That Nothing oficial His Reached St Petersburg Re-
 garding Alleged Actionof Gunboat vicksburg.

St. Petersburg, Feb N.-The news that the United States had assented to the ex- tension of the Pacific cable to Japan with the reasons therefore assigned in dis patches from Washington, still further aggravated tho popular belief that the United States is siding with Japan against Russia. The few Americans in St. Pe- tersburg have all remarked on the changed demeanor of their Russian friends. Formerly they were treated with the greatest cordiality, but now the Rus sians greet with the question, ''Is Amer lea our secret enemy and shall we have to fight her also before the war comes to an endr'
 How deeply the Russians are wounded by the belief is destined, unless checked. soon to become a conviction that America has scorned her old friend and is now playing hostile part, is shown by this severance of personal ties, of which an in- stance occurred this week in a prominent drawing room. when the most intimate Russian friend of an American woman de clined her proffered hand. On the wo- mans exclamation of astonishment, her friend burst into tears and said she felt aegrieved at all Americans since the re- ported action of the commander of ths United States gunboat vicksburg at Chempulo.
 9AOJCGb VI 8SSkEGbs The attitude of the United States is a subject of constant discussion. even in the highest circles here where, with the great est regret, the fear Is expressed that the two countries, without excuse so far as Russia is concerned seem to be drifting apart The recently reported cancellation Of American contracts in Russia indicates how resentment of America's supposed hostility has Invaded business afIntra' ank ,8a tp Russian newspapers which have sud- denly turned theif attacks from Crsat Britain fa the upited States, ana haa sei1ea every Ttilnd t6 give the worak pos. sible interpretasi0n of il.
 Without waiting for an expIanation which, 1t is apparent from the dispatches received today from Washington, may put ahothef complexlon on the vickshufA Incident. the columns of the press for days past have been full of excited conl- ment based upon original versions of the a6air. In Apite of the state of poOular opinion, the government, 1t can be assert ed. places the highest value on American friendship, and, Although the course of American diplomacy is at times privately viewed askance. ofleially the Czar as- sumes that the American attitude has been strictly correct. The slightest dis- position to question it's acts Is not manl- tested. ~
 Has Nothing Ohacial.
 At the Foreign once today tho Associa- ted Press was informed that the govern nient knew nothing officially of the vicks- burg incident and that it had not instruct ed Count Cassini. Ambassador at Wash ineton. to ask for an explanation. It was, however. said to be possible that the Am bassador had courteously inquired as \S the truth of the Vicksburg reports witho. having had specific instructions.
 Regarding the reports of the cable to Japan the government Is without ofIici9i advices and the impression left with the representative of the Associated Press. after speaking of the affair. was that even were these reports true, Russia would not necessary regard tho running of this ca- ble as a braach of neutrality.
 The Associated Press Is authorized to say that the Russian proclamation con- eerning contraband of war will be issued within a few days.