Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-07-08

vera from DantlaHO-OrOug0t 10 a
lively climax week of war news
characterized by some very suggestive
developments. The fact that the
Russians endeayored to save their
vessels by such desperate device
showed only too plainly the real
conditions at Port Arthur, and the
early fall of the stronghold may now
be expected WASHINGTON Times.
Official news to July 2 indicates
that the japanese advance from tHe
south has been suspended, along
with all other important movements
at the seat of war. The authorities
do not expect much more than
desultory skirmishing until the
weather improves. There is evidence
of considerable sickness in the Japa-
nese camps the rainy weather having
made Manchuria one vast swamp.
oKU DEFENDS HIS SOLDIERS.
Gen. Oku has forwarded detailed
report to the Imperial Headquarters
answering charges preferred by the
Russian authorities that the Japanese
troops were responsible for atrocities
committed on the field during the
engagement at WI Fang lien pre-
ceding the dattle of Vafangod (Te-
lissu.)
He says the charges are totally
unfouDded, but, on the contrary,
they had proofs that the wounded
Russian prisoners highly appreciated
the humane treatment they and their
comrades had received from the
Japanese.
1t is the Russians, he declared,
that have cruelty mutilated the Jap
anese who fell into their hands
wounded. Gen. Oku then makes
the following charges:
That on June 10 six japanese
scouts were overpowered by Russian
troopers, who ran bayonets in their
mouths, in their heads, and cut
their breasts open; that on June 81
the Russians captured a Japanese
cavalryman, whom they bayoneted
and then cut his abdomen open.
On May Is the Russians beheaded
japanese cavalryman whom they
had captured.
Gen. Oku asserts that acts of
cruelty on the part of the Russian
troops are numerous, and announces
his purpose to report in the future
every case of it which is brought to
his notice. He says he feels that he
is not fighting civilized army.
PRAY FOR PEACE.
The thinking classes throughout
Russia have submitted q petition to
the Gar, begging him to end the
war in the Far East. This element
asserts that the Gear has nothing to
gain by continuing the war. Hope
of obtaining the consent of the Sui
tan of Turkey to allow the Baltic
Sea fleet to pass through the Darden-
MALES, has been abandoned. Fears
are entertained for the safety of the
Vladivostok fleet.
AS for the vessels at Port Arthur
their fate is settled. Whether the
ships remaining intact shall be sacri-
fed, or whether hostilities shall
cease before another disaster occurs,
is one of the questions even the most
optimistic members of the bureau
crazy are celebrating.
The educated class has acquainted
the Gar with facts regarding the
spread of Nihilism, of which proba-
bly, he has not been aware.
They assert that the blowing M
of the battleship Petropavlovsk was
not due to collision with floating
mine or Japanese torpedo boat, but
was accomplished by Nihilists on
beard, who have been goarded to
treacherous deeds by mistreatment
at the hands of the superior officers.
They assert that the repeated defeats
oy the Japanese when the Russians
were in equal forces and occupied
superior positions were largely due
to the treachery Of Nihilists, who
abandoned their guns and fed before
the little japanese.
Unless Russians gain unexpected
victories both on land and sea, the
Car will favorably consider the
demand to end the war.
MORE NAVAL BLUNDERS.
The Russian submarine boat
Delfn sank at her moorings in the
Neya, off the Baltic shipbuilding
yard, at IL o'clock June 30, with
the loss of an officer, Lieutenant
Cheraskoff, and 20 men.
The accident was due partly to
the excessive number of the crew,
mostly inexperienced men, but
chiefly to the unfortunate attempt
of a man to escape while his COM
rades were screwing down the man.
hole.
The officers and men detailed for
submarine boat instruction had
assembled at the Baltic yard and
three officers decided to 60 down in
the Delfin, although her captain was
not present, relying on the expert
ence Of her crew. A score of noyices
were anxious to go with the three
officers. The Delfin's nominal ca
pacity is 10 men, instead of which
81 entered the boat, bringing her
manhole in dangerous proximity to
the river level.
Just then a tug passed, sending
heavy wash against the boat. AS
soon as the water splashed into the
submarines interior it created
panic among the noyices and one of
them tried To get ont of the man hole