Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-17
REPLY TO HAYS NOTE.

REPLY TO HAYS NOTE.
Russia's Answer to Be Made in Few
Days.
ST. PETERSBURG. February 17.-Rus
sia's reply to Secretary Hays note on
China will probably be made in a few days.
1t will acquiesce in principle. but with GER
tain reservations regarding the Chinese adj
ministra tive control over the region in
Manchura leased to Russia covered by
the Chinese Eastern railroad, in order to
safeguard existing Russian interests.
When the note first dispatched to the
powers the authorities here undeniably
were disposed to view it with suspicion. and,
therefore It's reception by the other cabinets
was awaited with keen interest. As the
Russian authorities have obtained the views
of the European chancellories and have
seen the friendly reception given to the
note even by Russa's ally, the fear that 1t
might contain q hidden pitfall for Russia
began to disappear.
To Give Adherence.
The Russian authorities have now been
made acquainted with the replies of the
remaining powers, including that of Japan,
and it has now practically been decided to
give adherence in principle. Russia eX-
planned that she was as anxious as the
other powers to prevent disorders IN emma
and to preserve rs integrity, but that owing
to Russia special interests in Manchuria
difficulties presented
Her railroad must be protected. and Rus
STA will make a reservation on this point.
The government does not desire her posi-
ton in this respect to be misunderstood
hereafter and for this reason her words
will be explicit and not equvocal
No Permission for Military Attaches.
Russia has not yet given permission for
any military attaches to join the Russian
army in the field. Requests have been re-
celved from all the powers, including the
United States. and it is understood that
Niceroy Alexieff, to whom the question was
referred, would prefer that foreign attaches
should not join in the Russian field opera
tions until March. explaining that owing
10 the unexpected suddenness of the out
break of hostilities it is difficult to make
arrangements for their comfortable
commodation. especially during the severe
weather, until that time.
Impressive Departure.
The departure of Vice Admiral Makarof
TO take the place of Vice Admiral Stark,
in command of the Russian fleet at Port
Arthur. was marked by impressive scenes
The admiral went to the Church of st.
Andrew and there took the sacrament at
the hands of Father John. An hour later
great crowd of school children naval Off
GERS, literary men, ordinary citizens
and two choirs assembled before Adj
mlral Makarofs house. There was a scene
of great enthusiasm the crowd cheering
and singing. after which the leading Off
GERS and citizens entered and solemn
religious service was held. The admiral.
in a speech, thanked the naval officers for
their good wishes. He said
There Is warm work out there. They
want men. so am going. We have got to
stand by each other now"
Took Large Staff
The admiral took a large staff with him,
including engineers, naval architects and
others
The Grand Duke Cyril eldest son of
Grand Duke Vladimir uncle of the czar)
who visited the United States a few years
ago is leaving for the far east. He is a
lieutenant in the navy. His brother Grand
Duke Boris. will be with the army at the
front.
Storm Prevented Jap Attack.
TOKYO, February IA heavy storm
spared the Russians from a desperate tor
pedo attack at Port Arthur on the morning
of Sunday, the 18th instant. During the
preceding night the vessels of the Japanese
fiotilla of torpedo craft were parted by the
force of the wind and waves in a binding
SLOW storm, so that only two of the larger
destroyers succeeded in forcing their way
through the fierce gale to Port Arthur
When they arrived there they attacked sep
arately, and the officers of one of them are
confident that they succeeded in torpedong
Russian warship.
Results Unknown.
The destroyer Asargiri in charge of Lieu
tenant Commander Ishikawa, arrived off
Port Arthur about o'clock in the morning.
and met by a Sbarn III, he for
and Russian ships acting as scouts The
Asargiri discharged several terpedoes at a
big warship, but the result is unknown
cannonade was opened upon the scouting
vessels and maintained until they withdrew
The destroyer Heyatory, Lieutenant Com
mander Takenouchi, arrived two hours after
the Asargiri and ran up close to the mouth
of the harbor, where she found two war
ships. names unknown. She fired a torpedo
at one and The torpedo exploded
Admiral Togo, in reporting the attack
says although the results are unknown he
feels sure the moral effect upon the enemy
viii be excellent. Commander Nagai COM
manded the entire torpedo fiotilla The num-
Der of the craft in the fiotilla and the point
of their departure are concealed
japanese Operations on the Yalu.
PARIS. February 1T.-Another official dis
patch says a japanese transport has been
sighted of a town south of the mouth of
the falu river This, it is added, is not
connected with the embarkation of the
three divisions referred TO in these dis
patches today. but Is considered TO be a
confirmation of the reports that the town
off which the transport seen is 10 be
one of the bases of the land operations of
the japanese.
Port Arthur Ready for Siege.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, February IA St Peters
burg cablegram says; An official dispatch
from Port Arthur declares that after a
tight al Chemulpo about 90 OnO Japanese