Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-28
pierce the deck and, exploding, might com
pletely destroy it.
Sunken Ships Reported Valuable.


pletely destroy it.
sunken Ships Reported Valuable.
A cablegram from Paris says: The st.
Petersburg correspondent of the Echo de
Paris cables as follows:
AN officer of the naval general staff in
forms me that the four steamers which the
Japanese endeavored to sink in the channel
of Port Arthur Sunday morning were in
excellent condition and worth about mil
lion. All the Hotchkiss quick-firing guns
aboard them have been recovered. When
the steamers stranded, Russian ohcers
promptly leaped aboard and cut the cleo
trio wires which were intended to nre the
explosives.
Russians Capture Jap Cruiser.
A cablegram from st. Petersburg says:
From Vladivostok comes the startling re-
port that Capt. Retzensken's squadron has
returned to port towing second-class Jap
anese cruiser. This report comes apparent
ly from trustworthy source, but 1t is not
confirmed in official quarters.
Vice Admiral Makaroff cabled to the war
under date of Port Arthur, March 20:
IL have the honor to report to your
majesty that I left Port Arthur TO-DAY
(Saturday) with battle ships, cruisers ana
torpedo boats in order to make reconnoIs-
sance of some adjacent islands,.
The car also received a report by wire
that the mobilizing of the Russian army IN
Manchuria is now complete.
Gen. Kuropatkin stopped at Hardin to-
day to inspect the Notifications.
He will reach Mukden tomorrow.
He will review the troops there and VIII
read to them a message expressing, the
cars confidence that the soldier VILE dls-
play valor and fortitude benefitting the ira
ditons of the Russian arms.
After this Gen. kuropatkin will go to
Liao-yang.
Then. with Gems. Lnevitch and Zhilinski,
he will make flying visit to Port Arthur
and inspect the Notifications.
Russians May Stand at the Yalu.
The Russian forces may not withdraw
to the strong line of defense prepared at
Ferg-Hueng Cheng if Gen. Kuropatkin de-
cides he can get together men enough 10
make stand at the Yalu river advisable
A Port Arthur correspondent writes that
the repairs to the battle ship Retvizan ana
the protected cruiser Pallada nave now
been completed, the battle ship CZarevltcn
being the only remaining lame duck OF the
squadron.
TO preserve Admiral Makaroffs squad
ron intact is regarded as OF vital I'M
portance, since the government intends to
send powerful reinfOrcementS from the Bal
tic in the summer. Six battle ships-the
Orel, Borodino, Paul and Andrew, Kniaz
Souvaroff, Slafa, Alexander II-and the
cruisers Oleg, Zhemchus and lsumrud Ii
squadron of Admiral Wirenius in the Medi-
terranean, and, with torpedo boats, reach
ing Port Arthur in September.
Such a fleet would give the Russians an
overwhelming preponderance in numbers.
The Russian plans all look forward to this
time, when by the cooperation of the fleet
the Japanese communications can be cut
off Then, according to the Russian CAL
culations, Gen. Kuropatkin will be in posi-
ton to take the offensive on land and settle
the war.
Neutrality Proclamation.
proclamation issued by the Chinese gov
ernor of Manchuria has been received here.
1t directs that all Chinese in Manchuria
shall observe neutrality and attend strictly
to business. and particularly to refrain
from damaging railroad and telegraph
lines. They are also ordered to report any
such attempts Immediately. Gen Tshitcha-
goff, commanding the railroad guard in
Manchuria. has forbidden the people to
carry arms within strip sixty versts wide,
which the railroad traverses. The order re-
stricts the operations of Chinese troops and
prohibits the pusuit of Chinese bandits by
Chinese militia except with special permits
sion. 1t appeals to the people to assist the
Russians in protecting the road from in
jury.