Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-21
MORE EQUAL FOOTING.
Recent Jap Reverses Make Russians
Feel More Hopeful.

st. Petersburg, May 20.-12.55 L. NJ
With greater calm than has been felt
since the beginning of the war Rus
STA, today, faces the situation in the
Far East. The disaster sustained by
the Japanese fleet have strengthened
the national spirit and the officials
carefully point out that they restore III
a measure the prestige lost by the past
untarnished successes of the enemy
Should the persistent reports OF the
japanese army having been driven
back to Feng Wang Cheng prove true
then the authorities and people VIII
feel that Russian progress mas peeh
indicated and that the two belllger-
ents can recOmmence the war on
more even footing.
The first effects of the Russian sue
cesses, will, it is believed, be apparent
in the behavior of the Chinese whose
attitude has been decidedly hostile to
the Russians and to bring this change
about it is expected that the Russian
agents in China will follow the Jap
anese plan of fully informing the Ce-
lestials of the losses inflicted on the en-
envy. Although in st. Petersburg
there IS individual enthusiasm over the
Japanese disasters near Port Arthur,
there will be no collective demonstra-
ton. The wholesale rejoicing will
come with the announcement Of an
achievement of a more thrilling charac-
ter which will appeal to the volatile
side of the Russian people.
Everywhere one hears praise Of the
Russian torpedo boats stealing out in
the darkness, perhaps through a line
of small boats of the enemy to plant
mines where the heavier of the enemy's
ships had cruised q few hours before.
But, after all, it is pointed out there re-
manned a big element of chance as to
whether the enemy would return.
The authorities had almost come to
the conclusion that the catastrophe
which they had prepared would not
come about because of the cleverness
of Vice Admiral Togo in keeping away
from the dangerous waters as if aware
of the Russian operations.
The tone of the comments of the
newspapers is sober while at the same
time recognizing the Importance of the
Russian success and is well expressed
by the Russ which says:
"Japan's losses jeopardiZe her mas
terry of the sea. 1t is a streak of bad
luck, like ours. The forces are now
about equal without the Baltic squad
ron. It is not for us to rejoice, but it
was not worth while to bring the Ka-
suga from Genoa to sink the YOshino.'
The Bourse Gazette remarks:
"The news of the enemy's losses will
cheer Russia and make some amends
fl,o Tanonncp attack
at the outbreak of the war. 1t is now
the enemys misfortune to experience
the deadly effect of submarine mines
which have done US so much damage.
Great is Russia's God-the war has en-
tered on new phase, fastening the
Russian victory"
The LiStOk observes:
"Thcre is no intention to celebrate
the Japanese losses by n torchlight pro-
cession. 1t is not our custom to make
national rejoicing over an enemy's
misfortune. None the less, 1t is impos-
sible to conceal the fact that the nation
is grealy impressed by the catastrophe
Of the japanese fleet which goes to show
once more how accidents may upset
the best laid plans"
The Gazette makes the most caustic
comment of any of the Russian pa
perS. 1t says:
at IS Just retribution for the treach-
erous attack on Port Arthur without
declaring war and the dastardly on
sIaught on the Variag and Korietz. The
mines laid by our brave sailors have
done their work and all reproach for the
Petropavlovsk disaster is wiped out"