Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-10-27
WAR NOTES.

The Russian Baltic Squadron. after
eight months of preparation actually
SAILED" from the port OF Libau, last
week and by Friday had gotten around
Denmark and was in the North sea-the
sea bounded bT Norway, DcE-
mark and part of the German coast
on the East and by England and Scot
land on the West-the banks" or shall
low places Of which are the resorts OF
the great English fishing or trawling
fleets, just as the banks OF Newfcund-
land" are Of ours
Towards midnight that night, the
Russian fleet passed one Of these fishing
fleets. examined it carefully with their
search lights. and then opened fire up
on it; killing two fisherman AMI wound
ind several. and sinking one vessel and
damaging others. The Russian fleet
then resumed its course, towards the
English channel, without Offering any
explanation or any assistance to tnose
il had Just put in distress.
The fisherman made for the port OF
Hull as fast as possible and reported
the affair to their government, Enlcn
has called upon the Russian government
| to explain without delay.
The action of the Russian commander
was either piece of wanton cruelty or
else was due to panic caused by the
ridiculous report that japanese torpedo
boats were concealed among the fishing
boats; and all his Government can do Is
apologize, plead mistake and offer to
pay. which may not satisfy the English
public in it's present temper.
Just where the Baltic feet will make
its first stop is not known, as it started
on its long journey under sealed
orders, and until it does make sop
the Admirals explanation can not be
secured.
The destination Of the feet is not
known to the public but is supposed to
be Port Arthur, and whether it goes via
tie Suez Canal or Cape of Good Hope,
the distance is about $1,000 miles. and
as it can only travel as fast as its slow
| est members, in this case the colliers,
and say about 250 miles day, it will
be about two months before it gets
there, by which time Port Arthur may
have fallen into the hands of the Japs,
and Vladivostock will be frozen shut.
The fleet is formidable one. consist
| ing of battleships, cruisers>and torpedo
boats, with enough coal, presumably
to take it to it's destination; but the pre-
sumption also is that the Jap. fleet will
be there, and be ready to give it warn
reception.
Emperor Nicholas sent King Edward
a message acknowledging receipt OF thu
English note regarding the North Sea
affair and expressing the profoundesf
regret. The Russian government wishes
to consult with its Admiral before max
ing formal reply to the note. TIT
English government sent messages to th'
Admirals of both its Channel and Medi-
terranean equadrons. and it may b
that she will take no apologies for wha
her orators are calling an "inexcusabl'
outrage The interests Of England
and Russia have been clashing fol
many a year, and England may see il
this affair at this time an opportunit,
that may never come again.
The Russian feet was reported of
vigo, Spain, Tuesday. preparing to Goa
at sea.
MANCHURIA.
At the beginning of the week boti
armies were occupying the position
taken at the end Of the ten days battle
the lines extending from the Hun rive
on the West to the hills on the Easter
side Of the valley, distance of abon
fifteen miles. Both sides were Bringing
up every available reinforcement. botf
were talking Of ssum,pg the offensive
both were Certifying positions to thei
rear. and both were massing troops ant
guns near the railroad.
The reinforcements and supplies wer'
coming TO both armies by rail-thos'
for the Japs from the ports OF Dalne,
and Yinkow. An American who ha
been with the Russian army from the be
ginning says that maintaining an arm.
Of quarter of a million will tax tn
Siberian railway 10 it's utmost, also tina
the line officers of the Russian army AZ
of inferior character and do not main
tain discipline.
The weather had turned cold an'
damp and the country was almos
stripped of both fuel and fodder. Th'
houses of the villages had all been bum
cd for fuel and nearly all the Chinet'
corn had been used for fodder.
The latest estimate Of the killed
wounded and disabled during the tel
days battle is straightforward. Th'
Japs say they buried 10, 333 Of the Ruf
sian dead, besides their own and they
estimate the Russian casualties at 60,
600, and their own at 5000
Yesterday both armies were in theil
trenches, with their outposts but few
hundred yards apart, and drawing each
others fire by hoisting caps on bayonets
SECRETARY TAFT will go TO Pana
ma next month TO see what the matter
lis Some OF the alf-breeds, down
fbere want IN he carried around on 8