The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-31
SIX BELOW ZERO.
How the Russian Afanchurfan Army Is
Spending the Winter.

Mukden, Dec. 31.-Nemirovitch
Danchenko, the famous Russian war
| correspondent, has just returned from
an inspection of the quarters occupied
| by the Russian officers and privateS at
the front. says:
zone could hardly imagine a greater
contrast than afforded by the hungry,
tired army that settled down here after
the battle of Lao Yang, and the army
now resting south of Mukden. The
men live in duEouts but most of the
officers huts are above ground. Aside
from the fact that there are only five
officers to a hut and that the latter
contain more decorations. there is lit
tie difference between the mems and
the officers quarters. Everybody is
well fed and comfortable. The dug
stove with sleeping lodges around the
sides. The men are provided with
bedding, warm underwear, mostly of
Chinese manufacture, and better Chi
ness boots than can be bought in Rus
STA. Bath houses are provided, one for
the officers and one for the men OF
each company. The water is heated
twice weekly, the separate laundry
houses are always supplied with hot
water and there is no damDneSs in the
buildings set apart for the washing
and drying of clothes or in the living
quarters.
1.-The officers and men partake of the
same fare which is distributed twice
daily in big coppers from the camp
kitchens. A ration consists of a pound
of meat and two and half pounds OF
bread with tea twice daily. There are
short rations of sugar, but the only
shortages observable are sugar, leath-
er, sewing materials and reading mat
ter. Every one would appreciate DOCKS
and papers. Every printed sheet is
read, even the advertisements. The pos
tai facilities are poor. Most of the OF
ficerS have not heard from European
Russia for a long time. Since the wires
have been reserved for military and
press use private kilograms have all
been forwarded by mail from Irkutsk.
There is little sickness owing to the
care taken with the drinking water.
There is a guard at each well. Some
companies have been compelled to use
water from the Shakhe river. Water
parties go to the banks unarmed. There
in general truce protecting water par
ties of both sides and much chaff be-
tween Russians and Japanese is ex-
changed across the river.
1.-THE temperature is six degrees below
zero, Fahrenheit, and is expected to be
colder"
NIikado Gives Togo His Watch.
Toxic, Dec. 31.-The emperor has
presented Vice Admirals Togo and
Kammura with a number of articles
including watches, formerly worn by
himself. Vice Admiral Togo has de-
clined the reception rendered him by
the municipality of Toxic, on the
ground that the time is not yet ripe
for such a function vice Admiral
Togo will devote his time while in
Toxic comforting with members of
the imperial naval staff, upon the
plans for the future conduct of naval |
warfare.
Russians Abandon New Town.
London, Dec. 31.-A dispatch from
Chefoo to the Daily Telegraph says:
A messenger from Port Arthur
states the Japanese have mounted
eight guns commanding positions
of q f
fered heavy loss by the Russian fire.
The Russians have abandoned the |
new town, but the Japanese have been
unable to occupy it because of fear
that it has been mined.
Togo Addresses the Dead.
Toxic, Dec. 81, p. NAT the
funeral here today of several officers
and men who were killed while fight |
ing under him in attacks on the Port |
Arthur fleet and fortress, Vice Ad-
miral Togo addressed their spirits in
the following words:
CAS- I stand before your spirits I
can hardly express my feelings. Your
personalities are fresh in my memory.
Your corporal existence has ceased,
but your passing from this world has
been in the gallant discharge of your
duty, by virtue of which an enemy's
feet in this world has been completely
disabled and our combined fleet holds
command of the seas. I
trust this will bring peace and rest to
your spirits.
'It is my agreeable duty to avail
myself of my presence in this city,
whittier have been, called by our en-
eesses to the spirits of those who sac
-ified their earthly existence in the at
-ainment of SO important result as
hat above rendered.
Most humbly, me, in person,
(Signed) "HEIHAFHIRO TOGO,
Admiral of the Combined Fleets"