Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-05-20

st Petersburg, May 90 Q2:5o D. ny
With greater calm than has been felt
since the beginning of the war, Russia
to-day faces the situation in the far
east The disasters sustained by the
Japanese fleet have strengthened the
national spirit, and the officials care
fully point out that they restore in 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 eng-Wang- Chang prove true
,nen the authorities and people will
i feel that the Russian progress has been
indicated and that the two belligerents
can recommence the war OH a more
even footing. The first effect of the
Russian successes Will, it is believed,
be apparent in the behavior of the Chi
nese whose attitude has been decided
ly hostile TO the Russians, and to bring
this change about it is expected that
the Russian agents In China will fol-
Iow-the Japanese plan of fully inform
ing the celestials Of the losses inflicted
on the enemy. Although In st Peters
burg there is individual enthusiasm
over the Japanese disasters near Port
Arthur t-.ere will be no collective
demonstration. The wholesale rejoic-
ing will come with the announcements
of an achievement Of a more thrilling
character, which will appeal to the
volatile side of the Russian people.
Everywhere today one hears praise
OF the Russian torpedo boats in steal
ing out iii 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 few. hours before. But after
all. it is pointed out there remained a
hig 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 II
aware of the Russian operations.
The tone OF the comments OF the
newspapers this morning is sober,
while at the same time recognizing the
Importance of the Russian success, and
lis we'll expressed by the Russu, which
says:
ssJapans losses jeopardize her mas.
terry over the sea- 1T is a streak OF
bad luck, like ours The forces are
now about equal, without the Baltic
squadron. 1t is not for lis to rejoice,
hut it is not worth while to bring the
Kasuga from Genoa to sink the Yo-
shino.
The Bourse Gazette remarks
1.-THE news Of the enemys losses will
cheer Russia and make some amends
for the trea :cherous attack at the out
break of the war. 1t is now the ene-
my's misfortune to experience the
deadly effect of submarine mines,
which have done us so much damage.
Great is Russia's God. The war has
entered on a new phase, fastening the
Russian victory"
The Iistok observes:
"There is no intention to celebrate
the Japanese losses by torchlight
procession. 1T is not our custom to
make a national rejoicing over an
enemy's misfortune. None the less it
is impossible to conceal the fact that
the nation is greatly impressed by
the catastrophe to the Japanese fleet,
which goes to show once more how
accidents may upset the best laid
plans"
The Gazeta makes the most caustic
comment Of any of the Russian pa
pers. 1t says:
1T is just reifibution for the treach-
erous attack OH Port Arthur without
declaring war, and the dastardly on
slaught on the Variag and Korietz.
The mines laid by our brave sailors
have done their work and AL reproach
for the PetrapaYlovsk disaster is wip-
cd ont