The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-27
Believed Continued Ruses at Port Arthur Are to De-
 tract Attention
OFFICIALS ARE INCLINED
 ID ROAST SUCH TACTICS
czar's Men Say laps Have Been Read Ing History and Are Trying Meth
 ods Used By the old
 Spanish Armada. N

St. Petersburg, February 26.-Like knight of olden times before going to bat tie. General Kuropatkin performed the most solemn rites of the mother church. After fasting this week he went to the church in the Cadet Corps academy. where he was educated, made his confess sion and partook of the sacrament. A touching ceremony followed The off1ciat- ing priest. holding up the sacred image of Saint Sergus, which had just arrived from Moscow, blessed the prostrate com mander, and bade him God speed. The general was shaken with emotion and em- braced many of his assembled comrades.
 Letter From the czar.
 The metropolitan of Moscow who ac- companied the Ikon of St. Sergius to this city, has received letter from the czar recalling the overthrow of the Tartar hordes under It's auspices and prophesv- Ing that 1t will also lead the Russi to victory over the Japanese. There difference of opinion among the ns and military officers here in regard to purpose of the Japanese at Port Artl but the prevailing opinion is that Il to effect a diversion to cover their oi ation elsewhere. A high naval autho said:
 'I cannot understand what the anese hoped to accomplish by sending fireships unless they had been read history and thought to repeat the sti egy adopted by the British against Spanish armada. But they forget the days of wooden, infiammable sf are passed. If their object really to block the channel borrowing the 1 from the exploit of the Merrimac, 1t equally futile as 1t would be easy clear the entrance by blowing up wrecks.
 Move Was a Feint.
 "we believe the Japanese activity Port Arthur was a feint to engross attention while they continued the embarkation of troops in Korea. l not believe that at this time they attempt a landing in force on the I Trng peninsular."
 It is understood that the battles Retvizan alone remains anchored ( side the mouth of the harbor acting a guardship. The remainder of the R scian squadron is inside, so as to avoi torpedo attack
 The idea that the Japanese seriou contemplate a bombardment of Port thur. involving the exposing of u ships to a plunging fire from the on Golden Hill. Is considered by milit experts here as absurd.
 Expressions of Appreciation.
 The giving of $10,000 by Charles Crs of Chicago to "the young empress fur for Russian soldiers and sailors. has b received everywhere with expressions appreciation. Her majesty was dee touched by this donation and has expre ed her sincere thanks.
 The gift was made by Mir Cr through Count Rostosoff, her majest chancellor. MT. Crane first cabled say 1t was believed in America that R sa had done everything to maint
 l--. by a threacherous enemy. He asked he could help. Tn reply, Count Rostos suggested a donation to the relief flu and MT. Crane replied by sending SIG,
 
 Succession of Attacks.
 London, February H.-onficial Russ and other dispatches show that there been a succession of attacks or dem stratons by the Japanese at Port thur probably undertaken with the tention of covering or preparing for Japanese landing elsewhere, and possi with the hope of inficting further de aee on the Russian warships and incrs ing the demoraization of the Russ ferces It would seem apparent that tie damage was inflicted on either although the despatches leave the eS situation at Port Arthur in some scurity
 The reported landing of Japanese Possiet bay near Vladivostock has yet been conf ned. This movem' however, Is not considered improbabl
 Evacuat ! Port Dalny.
 The Shanghai correspondent of Daily Telegraph has sent interest news of Japanese military operations. asserts that Port Dalny is being evac ted by the Russians. who boast that have mined the breakwater, whaz and railroad sidinss there in order prevent Japanese from making use these facilities
 This correspondent repeats that Russians have only supplies for months at Port Arthur and says ths large number of Japanese transports returned to Nagasah where they busily engaged in embarking more tr, to be taken to the vicinity of Port Da Over forty transports have left Nag Xii since February 10 and a still Ia authorization has been proceeding Ujina near Hir Oshima on the Inland Ujina and not Kiato. the coTespon continues, will be the army and headquarters during the war.