The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-20
RUSSIANS ELATED.
Feel That the Loss of the Petro-
pavlovsz Has Been Revenged.

Feel That the Loss of the Petro-
pavlovsk Has Been Revenged.
St. Petersburg, May 20.-12:55 P. NJ
With greater calm than has been felt
since the beginning of the war, Russia
today faces the situation in the far
east. The disasters sustained by the
Japanese fleet have strengthened the
national spirit and the officials careful
ly pointed out that they restore in a.
measure the prestige lost by the past
untarnished successes OF the enemy.
Should the persistent reports of the
Japanese army having been driven back
to Feng Wan Chang prove true then
the authorities and people will feel that
Russian progress has been vindicated
and that the two beIIigerentS can re-
commence the war on a more even
footing. The first effect of the Rus
sian successes will, it is believed, be
apparent in the behavior of the Chi
nese, whose attitude has been decidedly
hostile to the Russians. 1t is expected
that the Russian agents in China will
follow the Japanese plan of fully in
forming the celestialS of the losses in
hicted on the enemy. Although in St.
Petersburg there is Individual enthusi-
asm over the disasters near Port Ar
thur, there will be no collective demon
stration. Wholesale rejoicing will come
with the announcement of an achieve
ment of a more thrilling character
which will appeal to the. volatile side
of the Russian people. Everywhere to-
day one nearS praise OIL the RUSSIAN
torpedo boats in stealing out in the
darkness, perhaps through a line of
small boats of the enemy to plant
mines where the heavier of the enemy's
ships had cruised a few hours before.
But after all It is pointed out there re-
mained a big element of chance as to
whether the enemy would return. The
authorities had almost come to the con-
clusiOns that the catastrophe which they
had prepared would not come about be-
cause OF the cleverness of Vice Admiral
Togo in keeping away from the danger
Gus waters, as if aware of the Russian
operations. The tone of the comments
of the newspapers today is sober. while
at the same time recognizing the inn
portance of the Russian success and is
well expressed by the Russ which says:
"Japan's losses jeOpardize her mas
terry of the sea. 1t is a streak of bad
luck, like ours. The forces are now
about equal, without the Baltic squad
ron. It is not for us to rejoice, but it
Kasuga from Genoa to sink the Yoshi-
no."
The Bourse Gazette remarks:
THE news of the enemy's losses will
cheer us and make some amends for
the treacherous Japanese attack at the
outbreak of the war. 1t is now the en-
emy's misfortune to experience the
deadly effect of submarine mines, which
have done US so much damage Great
is Russia's God. The war has entered
on a new phase, fastening the Russian
victory
The Listok observes:
There is no intention to celebrate the
japanese losses by a torchlight process
sion. 1t is not our custom to make a
national rejoicing over an enemy's mis-
fortune. None the less it is impossible
to conceal the fact that the nation is
greatly impressed by the catastrophe to
the Japanese fleet which goes to show
once more how accidents may upset the
best laid plans,
The Gazetta makes the most caustic
comment of any of the Russian papers.
1t says:
1T is just retribution for the treach-
erous attack on Port Arthur without
declaring war, and the dastardly on
slaught on the Variag and Koreitz. The
mines laid by our brave sailors have
done their work and all reproach for
the Petropavlovsk disaster IS washed
out