New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-28
RUSSIANS AGGRIEVED.
Much Bitter Feeling Ouer Sentiment
IN United States.

81 Petersburg Feb. 27.-The report that the
United states had assented to the extension Of
the Pacific cable TO Japan. with the reasons as
signed in the dispatches from Washington, still
/ further aggravates the popular belief that the
United States is siding with Japan against Rus
STA The few Americans in St Petersburg have
all remarked upon the changed demeanor Of
their Russian friends. Formerly they were
treated with the greatest cordiality, but now
the Russians greet them with the question: us
America cur secret enemy and shall we have to
fight her also before the war comes to an endY'
How deeply the Russians are wounded by the
belief destined, unless checked, soon to become
a conviction, that America has spurned her old
friend. and is playing a hostile role, Is
shown by the severance of personal ties, OF
which a striking instance occurred this week.
when the most intimate Russian friend Of an
American woman declined her offered hand.
Trpon the Americans exclamation Of astonish-
ment, her friend burst into tears and said she
felt aggrieved at all Americans since the re-
norted action of the commander Of the United
States gunboat vicksburg at Chemulpo.
The attitude of the United States is sub
iect OF frequent discussion in even the highest
circles here, where with the greatest regret the
fear is expressed that the two countries. with
out excuse so far Russia is concerned. seem
to be drifting apart. The recently reported can
collation. of American contracts indicates how
the resentment of Americas supposed hostility
has invaded business affairs Popular feeling is.
of course to be largely attributed to certain Of
the Russian newspapers, which have suddenly
turned their batteries from Great Britain to the
United States, and have seized every rumor to
place the worst possible Interpretation upon ii.
Without waiting for an explanation, which, 1t
is apparent from the dispatches received here
to-day from washington. will put another COM
plexion upon the Vicksburg incident, the col
umns Of the press for days have been full or
excited comment based upon the original version
Of the affair In spite of the state Of popular
opinion. the government. it can be confidently
asserted places the highest value on American
friendship, although the course Of American
diplomacy is at times privately viewed askance.
officially the government OF the Car assumes
that the American attitude has been strictly
correct nor IS the slightest disposition to ques-
ton its acts manifested.
At the Foreign Office to-day II was said that
the government knew nothing officially OF the
Vicksburg incident. and that it had not I'm
structed Count Cassini. the Russian Ambassador
at washington, 10 ask for an explanation. 1t
was. however, said TO be possible that the am
bassador had courteously inquired TO the
truth of the VicksburE reports without having
had specific UCtions in the matter
Regarding the reports of the cable to Japan,
the government is also without official adVices
and the impression given that even were
these true. Russia would not necessarily con-
slider the running Of this cable breach Of neU-
trality.
The Russian proclamation concerning contra
band Of war Will be issued in few days.