The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-24
laps LOSE FOUR WARSHIPS'

him that three British steamers laden
with coal for Japan had been cap
tured by them.
the same time that the Governeur
Jaeschi was off Port Arthur, reports
that she heard no firing. Thirteen Jap
anese warships are said to have pass
ed Wei Hal Wei today, heading east
There were 16 ships in the original fleet.
NO WORD ABOUT THE BOYARIN.
Sebastopol Feb. 24-Capt. Aleanhar-
off has received a telegram from his
son, who was an officer of the Russian
cruiser Boyarin, reported to have been
destroyed at Port Arthur, dated Feb
ruary II, and saying he was then in
good health. but giving no information
as to the fate of the ship
WAR FUND OF 1920. 000, 600
st. Petersburg, Feb. 24.-Baron Bud
berg is starting for the far east to or
ganize a flotilla of ten hospital barges
on the Amur river.
NJ. Vokavzoff on assuming the direc-
ton of the finance ministry paid a
glowing tribute to NJ Witte, the for
mer minister, but he said he would not
venture at this crisis to formulate a
programme, reserying that task until
the return of the blessing of peace.
The Vovosti reviewing the resources
of the teasury, figures that the total
amount at the disposal of the govern
ment for the conduct of the war is
1920, 900 0OO which it considers to be
a far more expensive campaign, the
Turkish war waged on foreign terri
tory, cost only $500, 100000.
RUSSIA'S STRONG CARD.
st. Petersburg, Feb. "a, 1 p. m.-The
Russian government believes a deep
impression has been made on interna-
tional sympathies by the note on the
subject of Japan's alleged violation of
the law of nations. sent to the Russian
ambassadors Monday The govern
n16nf lave SDNCi91 stress the lana
nese action at Chemulpo. where, it is
pointed out the Japanese seized and
cut the communications in order to
prevent NJ. Pavloff, the Russian min
1Ster, and the Russian WarShipS Va
riag and Koreitz ever receiving news
of the rupture of diplomatic relations,
and then pounced upon the ships with
a greatly superior force.
Russia contends that this action
places Japan outside the pale of civil
lied nations, and that it smacks so
much of barbarism that it must offend
the chivalric sense of civilized fair
PLAY.
In diplomatic circles the presentation
of Russia's case is considered strong
the opinion being even that in friendly
quarters that Japan in her haste to
cripple the Russian fleet at the outset
committed blunder by thus striking a
blow without warning, for which the
destruction of two ships will not COM
pensate.
1t is further pointed out that if
Japan had allowed NJ. Pavloff to re-
turn to Russian port on board a Rus
sian warship her magnanimity would
have been universally applauded
Prince Lobanoff, the governor of the
province of Tambov. has issued a
warning to the peasants of that prov-
ince against selling horses to dealers
who are trying to buy 5000 horses, os-
tensibly for the British army, but
really for the Japanese.
80 WAR MAY AFFECT AFRICA
St. Petersburg, Feb. 24.-There is an
incessant Influx of subscriptions of mon
ey and contributions of jewelry and
other articles towards the fund being
raised to strengthen the navy and aid
the families of the victims of the war
People of all religions, Jews, Catholics,
Lutherans, and Mohammedans, are vie
ing with each other and the members
of the orthodox church in the display
of patriotism, while the peasants and
workmen are contributing as freely in
proportion to their means as the mobiles
and officials
Several hundred Turcomans have ap-
piled to the governor general of Turk