The San Francisco call., 1904-02-22
Negotiations Between the Gar and the Sultan Explain the Wae
Activity of Great Britain.


ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 21.-In spite
OF the ridicule cast upon the idea from
various sources, once again the Porte
has lent a willing ear to the diplomatic
suggestions of Russia that the Black
Sea fleet should one day be found un-
expectedly in the Mediterranean, Tur-
key being assured that, this once an
accomplished fact, not one of the pow
ers would have a word to say in objec-
ton.
The only difficulty, however, which
lies in the way of an arrangement by
which the Dardanelles could be passed
is that Abdul Hamid sees that it is in
his power to exact in return terms
which, as much as Russia would like to
get her splendid Black Sea squadron
out, are more than this country can di-
gest. These terms are that Turkey be
given a free hand in settling the Balkan
difficulties in the war which the COM
ing months are deemed certain to bring.
This is the reason why Admiral
Skrydloff, the bulldog of the Russian
navy and its most intrepid and most
daring leader, was lately sent for to
come to st. Petersburg, the first inten-
ton being to appoint him to the COM
mand in the Far East, but the disasters
at Port Arthur rendered his going there
useless and at the same time empha-
sized the essential necessity of getting
the valuable Black Sea squadron re-
lieved.
EXPLAINS BRITISH ACTIVITY.
Hence Admiral Skrydloff hurried
back to Odessa, where he was received
with marked ovations, showing fully
that the people clearly understood the
Importance of the mission he might be
called upon to carry out.
This also may explain the report Of
the feverish haste with which the Brit
ish fleet, including the reserves, is be-
ing mobilized, and it also possibly ex-
plains the recent quite unexpected note
of Turkey to the powers concerning
Bulgaria, which looks like a prelimin-
ary declaration of war against that
country.
The trans Caucasian troops are being
modified and ordered to occupy the
frontiers of Turkestan and Persia, this
being a strong reminder to England
that Russia; is ready for war over these
two frontiers.
KUROPATKIN is POPULAR.
The appointment of General Kuro-
patkin, who was yesterday relieved of
his functions as Minister of War. to
the chief command of the Russian
army in the Far East, was gazetted
this morning.
With the possible exception of Gen
eral Dragomiroff, formerly Governor
General of Kieff and later member Of
the Council of State, General Kuropat-
kin is the most popular man in the
Russian army. AS a bluff old soldier
who has fought his way up from the
bottom to be Minister Of War, he is the
ideal of the enlisted men. Not one
in the Cars army has seen more fight
ing and no one can tell a story better
There is never a dull moment in his
company, for he intermingles the
humorous Incidents of his campaign
with tales of the self-sacrifices of the
men to whom he led with Skobelef
over the parched wastes of Geok-Tepe
or over the icy slopes of Plevna.
No one meeting the short, grizzled
warrior in his charming home on the
sunny side of the Moika would guess
the extent of his power or the burden
of responsibility weighing on his
shoulders. AS Minister of War he was
considered a lust chief who gave re-
wards and administered punishments
without fear or favor 1t is small Won
der, therefore, that the Russian army
adores him.
GRAND DUKES GO TO WAR.
The appointment of General Kuro-
patkin to direct command in the field
has been received with enthusiasm and
his leadership inspires complete con-
/ fdence that there will be no mistakes
and that Russian arms will be carried
to success on land.
General Kuropatkin will be accom-
panied to the front,by the Grand Dukes
Boris, Alexis, Nicholas and Michael
Nikolaivitch. The Emperor and En-
press gave a luncheon to-day to Gen
eral Kuropatlin and the Grand Dukes
at the Alexandra Palace Tsarskoe-
Selo, and bade them farewell.
The exact mission of Grand Duke
Alexis is unknown, but it is undoubt-
edly an important one, as he has been
in supreme command of the Russian
navy, as president of the board of ad-
miralty, taking an active part in the
negotiations preceding hostilities. He
| presided at the special council which