The San Francisco call., 1904-02-18
USSIAN SHIPS DAMAGED IN ATTACK BY TORPEDOES
AI0Xieff Will Strike No Blow Until
Russian Mobilization Has
Been Completed.

ST PETERSBURG, Feb. 1.-THE
rigid censorship imposed here upon all
news from the Far East completely
masks the movements Of Russian
troops and the plans Of those in com
mand but what is being done is evi-
IDENTIFY satisfactory to the authorities
here, as they manifest the utmost con-
fdence that when the proper time ar
rives the enemy VIII be crushed They
say that the preliminary sea victories
of the japanese VIII then be speedily
forgotten
Russia Was taken unaWares at the
outset and some little time viii be re
Quired 10 complete the mobilization Of
Russian troops. There viii be no dis
position TO meet the evident wish Of
the japanese to rush matters TO a de-
eisiOn- Russia can afford 10 wait, is
8 common expression here, and time
and patience alRaFs have been strong
allies OF the empire Of the north.
AT Port Arthur to-day the Their
ulometer registered two degrees below
zero The concentration Of Russian
troops viii proceed as rapidly as pos
sible, but il is fair 10 assume that
AIceroy Alexieff viii not take the ag-
gressive until he fees certain Of his
ability 10 administer a decisive defeat
Therefore. in spite Of the extensive
landing operations OF the japanese in
Korea an important land fight is not
considered here 10 be imminent, al
though it is believed that the passage
Of the Yalu River by the japanese viii
be disputed.
TROOPS HURRY EASTWARD.
Il is reported in ST Petersburg that
NfcerOy Alexien7s headquarters may be
changed TO Moukden. which would be
nearer the center Of military activity,
but this Is not certain
In the meantime troops are constant
ly going TO the front from all parts Of
Russia and some distinguished officers
In the service Of the Gar are leaving
for the Far East These include Cen
eral Zhilinsky, who is TO succeed Major
General Plug as chief Of staff to
NicerOy Alexief: General Laipanoff,
Governor Of Saghalin Island in the
North Pacific. ana General Tserpiysky-
General Won SOsenkamha has been
appointed TO command the Trans
Baikal cavalry, which was reported as
going cut under Prince Louis Napoleon
The various societies throughout Rus
sia interested in the Red Cross move
ment are showing remarkable activity.
and judging from the preparations
which are being made for the sick and
wounded, the war is expected TO be
long and bloody one.
Of
near KieT is denied by the Minister of
the Interior and the press is authorized
TO say that the affair was confined TO
the-indiction OF slight injury upon three
Jews. Last Monday, while a crowd
was indulging in a patriotic demOnstra-
tion at Kief, some Hebrews began
shouting. Down with the Gar" and
the crowd promptly punished the cul-
prits, who were rescued from a worse
fate by the timely arrival Of the police.
RUSSIA'S REPLY TO HAY.
Russia's reply TO Secretary Hays
note on China probably viii be made in
a few days. It viii acquiesce in prin-
ciple but with certain reservations re-
garding Chinese administrative control
over the regions in Manchuria leased
10 Russia or covered by the Chinese
Eastern Railroad, in. order to safeguard
existing Russian interests. When the
note was first dispatched to the powers
the authorities here undeniably were
disposed TO view ii with suspicion, and,
therefore, its reception by the other
Cabinets was awaited with keen inter
est AS the Russian authorities have
obtained the views Of the European
chancellories and have seen the friend
ly reception given TO the note, even by
Russia's ally. the fear that it might
contain a hidden pitfall for Russia be-
gan TO disappear. The Russian author
sites have now been made acquainted
with the replies Of the remaining pow
ers, Including that Of Japan. and it has
now practically been decided to give
adherence in principle.
Russia explained that she was as
anxious as the other powers to prevent
disorders in China and to preserve its
integrity, but that, owing to Russia's
especial interests in Manchuria. diff
culties were presented. Her railroad
must be protected, and Russia would
make reservation on this point. The
Government did not desire her position
in this respect TO be misunderstood
hereafter and for this reason her words
would be explicit and not eauivocaL.
Russia has not yet given permission
for any military attaches 10 join the
Russian army in the field. Requests