Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-02-13

sent by the ministers of marine foreign
affairs and OF the colonies, to their agents
abroad to observe strict neutrality during
the war.
The council of ministers discussed. to-
day. the situation in the Far East incIud-
ing Siam. 1t is understood Foreign Min
lister Delcasse presented the United States
note on the subject of the neutrality of
China; but it is not expected that the for
NAL reply OF france will be handed to the
American ambassador for some days The
intention of the cabinet seems to be to
obtain the views of the other powers be-
fore acting.
I The French war department is arrang-
ing to increase the number of effective
troops in IIiGo China
! Washington, Feb. 12-Minister Conger
cables the state department, today from
! Iekin that the Chinese government would
immedia tcly issue 4 proclamation of neu-
trality. having, yesterday, received from
the Russian minister the declarat ton OF
! war
! If this proclamation is observed it will
of course prevent the threatened invasion
Of Manchuria by the Boxers. China also
/ must prevent the use of her soil by either
Russian or japanese troops
| All the answers to Secretary Hays
| proposition are not vet in. but it is hoped
/ that they will be received within the next
81 hours.
| y cablcgr3m received at the navy de-
pIrtment announces the departure of the
gunboat Wilmington from Hong Kong TO
i Chefoo. just opposite Port Arthur She
1 win remain at the neutral port ready for
service at any moment as a dispatch boat
to communicate with the American min
\ lister and consuls in case OF need
il st. Petersburg. Feb. 12-Popular
Il demonstrations follow each other al
most continually here and in other
i cities throughout the empire Hurrahs
for the Car and the national anthem
were heard :, dozen times, today, on
4 Inc Nevsky prospect. The demonstra-
|! ton at the Winter Palace. this after
i noon, was most remarkable. Patriotic
1 fervor attained fever heat. this even
i ing, when several thousand persons, al
most exclusively WOrkingmen. march
ed behind six big flags from the Anti
chKotf palace. Where the doWaSer en-
press lives. to the l\aZen cathedral,
nurrahing and throwing up their caps
all the Wu%. The streets of the cily
were blocked by spectators who, with
barred heads and many with tears in
their eyes, listened to the singing.
| st. Petersburg. Feb. 12.-Aaother
patriotic demonstration occurred here,
this afternoon. An enormous process
sion, headed by choristers of the Vari-
Gus churches. marched through the
city. The demonstrators raised to their
shoulders and checred all the military
officers they met on the street. Mass
ing in front of the Winter Palace the
crowd sang the national anthem. They
all uncovered in spite of the fact that
snow was falling. The Car appeared
at Il window of the palace and was
given u tremendous ovation.
After leaving the palace the process
sion halted in front of the French en-
baSsy and the ambassador NJ. Bom-
pard. ana his wife and members Of the
embassy staff, appeared for few mo-
ment3 on the balcony and acknowl-
edged the cheering.
| The GeiShu. comedy which has
been running here. has been withdrawn
on account OF the hostile demonstra- :
tions with which each performance was
greeted.
st. Petersburg. Feb. 12-An imperial
| ukase dated Feb. 10, was issued, to-
| day.
| It commands that all the troops in
the military establishments in the ST.
5crian military districts be placed in
readiness for war. that all the divisions
in the Far Eastern viceroyalty tie
| brought to war strength and that the
army and navy reserves in the Siberian
| and Eazan districts be called out fer
active service.
TEE authorities are empowered to
rcquiSitioa the necessary horses.
Island Of Perrin. Russia, Feb. r.
| Mail adViccS received here from Jibu-
tai, French Somailand say that the
| Russian squadron which passed Perrin.
| Jan. -, has COale1 at Jibutal and will
| wait there until Fob. oS for the Rus
sian warships due ut Jibutal from Suez
Rome Feb. 12-The government has
| received Il message from the comman-
| der of the Italian cruiser I1lba, which
| is at ChcmupO, Corea, saying that
| several Russian sailors from the war
ships sunk there by the Japanese in
the recent engagement took refuge
aboard the Elba. where they were kind
~ received. The commander says fur
| Their that he cannot deliver these men
| to the Japanese because they would be
made prisoners and that he cannot re-
turn them to Russia as this action
might he interpreted as Il breach or
| neutrality.
| London. Feb. 12.-6.n3 p Nth
| British government has information
which leads ii 70 believe that Japan i;
likely 20 be in possession of Port Ar
| th'r, a week from now In the bes.
informed Japanese circles here it is
privately thought the war will be over
by July. Those British officials who
are CogniZant Of the extraordinary
thorou2 hness with which Japan pre-
pared for the war are inclined to share
tho Japanese view regarding the dur
alton of the struggle.
Baron Hayashi summing up events in
the Far East so far as they have gone,
| cot1 +n U'bo Accp1iota1 Drocc tO5a,-.