The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-02-12

After Hearing of the First Encounter.
Paris, Feb. 1O.-The news of the first
Japan attack with torpedo boats on the
Russian fleet off Port Arthur created
CONSERVATION here. The officials of the
foreign Office were among the first to
receive the information and their adj
vices were similar to those of the St
Petersburg Official Gazette, showing
that two Russian battleships and one
cruiser were damaged and also show
ing that four torpedo boats made the
attack An official of the foreign Of
fee said: at is profoundly to be re-
GREETED that such a decisive step has
been taken as it terminates the efforts
the powers might have made to avert
actual warfare" Information has been
received here showing that the British
government will issue a declaration of
neutrality within few days, perhaps
Immediately, and that France will take
the same course within day or two.
The attitude of the French govern
ment in view of the war is now
definitely determined upon. France
will maintain neutrality under any and
all circumstances, the Franco-Russian
alliance being construed as not requir-
Ing France to intervene in behalf Of
Russia even should Great Britain or
any third power intervene in behalf of
Japan.
The impression prevails that the
three Russian ships torpedoed are so
disabled as to be unserviceable for the
remainder of the war, thus placing
the Russian feet in a state of manifest
inferiority 1t is said that members of
the council of ministers expressed
establishment at the alleged negligence
Of the commanders of the Russian
ships in permitting the Japanese to
surprise them.
The Japanese legation announces
that Japan has requested China to de-
clare coal contraband of war. The eff
feet of this would be to cut off the main
coal supply of the Russian fleet at
Port Arthur. The legation officials add
hat China's continuance of supplying
The Russians with coal would be a
preach of neutrality.
"a Staggering Blow" Says London.
London, Feb. 10.-The naval men in
London regarded the result Of Japan's
first attack with torpedo boats on the
Russian fleet off Port Arthur as being
staggering one. They pointed out
that Viceroy Alexieff's reference to
mines obviously meant "torpedoes,"
and said that if the Russian vessels
had been struck by whitehead torpe-
does" they probably have beer sunk or
are resting in the mud in Port Arthur,
in any case hopelessly out of action
for a considerable time.
Germans Delighted with Japan's Victory.
Berlin, Feb. 10.-Japan's initial sue.
cess in the first attack with torpedo
boats on the Russian fleet off Port Ar
thur produced a deep impression both
on the people and military and naval
critics here. Groups gathered around
the distributors of the extras in the
streets and read the news almost with
EXPLANATIONS of gladness. The COM
ment at the marine department was
that even the temporary disablement
| of three warships placed the Russians
at a great disadvantage in the future
operations.
ST. Petersburg, Feb. 10.-United
States Ambassador Mccormick has
been notified that Russia has no OBJ
lection to the United States looking
after Japanese interests in Russia. No
current business will be left by M. Ku-
rino, the retiring minister of Japan.
Mr.. McCormick's principal duties will
be to protect the few japanese subjects
| who reside in European Russia. There
are only 20 of them in st. Petersburg
| and five in Moscow, but there may be
difficulties in Asiatic Russia.
Thinks the Order Significant.
Seattle, Wash, Feb. 10.-Capt. Frank
A. Grant has just received a letter from
Maj. C. A. Devol, general superintend-
ent of the United States army trans
port service which reads as follows:
''The reserve transport feet has been
overhauled and fitted out and is ready
for sea-" Among local army men this
is considered significant in view of the
present outlook for war in the far east
Berlin Hears the News.
Berlin, Feb 10.-A special telegram
from ST. Petersburg says three Russian
| ships at Port Arthur were severely
damaged at midnight by torpedoes dis
charged from Japanese torpedo boats
| while the latter were passing the har
| Dor. Subsequently large fleet of JAP
anese battleships and cruisers appeared
before the port.
China to Remain Neutral.
Paris, Feb. 10.-China, it is under.
stood, has given official assurances thai
| she will Immediately issue a declara-
ton of neutrality. This is considered
highly important in view of the PCS
sibility of Chinese, impressed by the
japanese success at Port Arthur, join.
| ing the Japanese.
Does Russia Want Intervention?