The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-19
RUSSIA SHOWS ITS HAND
Certain Agent Will Not Be
 Allowed at Dalny.
Hays Failure to Await the St. Pet srsburg Reply to His Note to the
 Powers Viewed With Sur prise in czar's Domain.


 Washington that Secretary Hay had an' nounced the negotiations in connection with the powers on the subject of the in- tegrity of China to be closed without awaiting Russia's formal response. came as a surprise to the official circles here.
 An official of the Foreign ohice with whom the representative of the Associated Press canversed on this affair appeared to be rather nonplussed at this unexpected conclusion to the American proposal. but he displayed no irritation. and said:
 Program Not Changed.
 .'If this Is true. 1t has not changed the Russian program Not to await Russias reply might, however, offend Russian sus- possibilities and tend still further to in- crease the feeling already existing here in certain quarters that the United States is not friendly to Russia. Tn this connection there is no doubt the government feels somewhat embar- rassed by the desire of the United States to install consuls in the open ports Of Manchuria immediately, The government does not like to be placed in the position of putting obstacles in the way, but the entire territory Is now under military control and these posts would be within the sphere of the war operations Fur thermore, trade is at standstill at pres .ent and the authorities cannot coEnpre- bend why Washington should press this matter now. None of the powers Is seek ing to take immediate advantage of the privileges accorded by the Chinese trea- ties.
 No Agent at Dalney.
 'As far as concerns Port DaIny. to which place an American government agent has been appointed, the situation Is even worse, and 1t Is not impossible that the military authorities will soon request all foraiRuers to leave there."
 The Russian reply to Secretary Hays note is practically ready and will be handed to Ambassador Mccormick in a few days, probably tomorrow. 1t will be along the iitses already indicated in these dispatches.
 In dirionatic circles here Secretary < Hays action is considereh fine stroke of diplomacy, as 1t is believed that the note has drought out general acQutescence to the point involved.
 Owing to existing conditions in the field and the difficulties in the way of provid- ing suitable accommodations, Viceroy Alexieif has recommended that the for- eign military attaches should not join the Russian army until about March 4. and the Viceroy's views on this matter will be communicated to the governments which have applied for the privilege of observ- ing the war from the Russian side.
 Rumors of Attack Feb. 16.
 No official announcement has as yct been made regarding the report from Tokio of a second Japanese torpedo at- tack at Port Arthur. There are reports here, but they lack official confirmation, that an attack made on Port Arthur February 16, was repuised after hea y firing on both sides According to line story, this attack was intended as a feint to cover landing at Talienwan Bay, but it failed because the RussiaD guns were placed with great foresight to command that shore. A Russian expert says the Japanese evidently hoped the adjacent group of Eliot Islands would cover this movement as they did the same thing during the Chino-Japanese war. landing simultaneously at Fallen wan and Kin Chou, thus cutting off Port Arthur from each side of the Liao Tung peninsula. Tt surprises me-" this expert con- tinues, that the Japanese should have made such a foolhardy attempt to face the Russians, as they know from their spies how strongly the peninsula is mined and defended
 Statement is Frank.
 The Governments frank statement in its Communique of this morning of Rus sia's unpreparedness owing to Japans sudden precipita tion of hostilities. and warning the Russian public not to cX- pect immediate victories, confirms the opinion which has existed here that Rus sla will act upon the defensive until her army is fully mobiliZed and the equip mont of the commissariat Is Tn perfect working order. There are already over 100000 men in the field, but this number will be largely augmented. About 50,c0j men are required to guard the railroad.
 Almost all the private concerns hers and also at Moscow and other large cities which intended sending exhibits tc the St. Louis Exposition, have decided not to do so, and are donating the moneys they would have expended il this work to the Red Cross Society anC other war purposes.
 Alexandrovsky Sarcastic.
 Commissioner Aiexandrovsky talked with the Czar on the subject of Russia abandonment of her proposed partIcipa tion in the Exposition and His Majest, agreed with the view of the commissionci that this be done
 M Alexandrovsky smiled when he Wa, informed by the Associated Press today of a printed report that Japan had ap piled for Russia's space at the Expo5i ton
 Let them have 1t; we will compet, with Japan elsewhere" he said.
 The work of the Russian Red crosi Society Is being pushed with great vigor The donations already exceed $5.O00000.