Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-02-24

St. Petersburg. Feb. 23.-Negotiations
are progressing for the passage Of the
Dardanelles by the Russian Black sea
fleet Russia is determined to get her
ships through. even if it is necessary to
adopt the subterfuge of altering their APP
men The porte is almost willing and II
England makes an objection, 1T will be
the signal for an immediate advance to-
ward India
Admiral Alexieff's retirement to Hardin
with his staff is interpreted to mean that
he is convinced the japanese will besiege
Port Arthur. The feet has received in
structions not to engage in any lighting
at present. but to remain on the defensive
until the beginning Of July. when half
of the whole Baltic fleet will be dis
patched 70 the far east.
1t is hoped also by that time that part
of the Black sea fleet will be also on the
way.
Work on all ships under construction is
uelng specially puSneu forward.
Hint of Anglo Spanish Alliance.
Berlin, Feb. ga report from Madrid
that Spain has concluded an alliance
With England has attracted much atten
ton, but is generally discredited. How
ever, it is declared to be advisable to Oh
tain formal "demente'' from the Span
ish government.
The Berlin press continues to devote
considerable space to the reported arma-
ments of Spain and Portugal and other
neutral powers. kilograms frem Lisbon
speak of the possible mobilization of To-
600 men,
Unfriendly Toward England
The tone of the German press still re-
mains unfriendly to England, and con
siderable prominence is given to all re-
ports of friction between Great Britain
and Russia, such as the chasing of the
steamer Mongolia by the Russian squad
ron in the Red sea, and the refusal of the
Indian authorities to allow Russian
colonel to proceed to the Afghan from
tier
The statement in the English press
ambassador to England, has gone to
Russia to report to the Gar on the true
state of public opinion in England is ridi-
culed here, though it is possible that
Lord Lansdowne has offered England's
mediation to stop further bloodshed
Alexieff Goes to Mukden
st. Petersburg, Feb % = Viceroy
Alexieff left Port Arthur last Saturday,
February 20, for Mukden. Before leav-
ing he handed over the command Of the
navy to Vice Admiral Stark. Vceroy
Alexieff's retirement to Mukden with his
staff is Interpreted to mean that he is
convinced that the japanese will be-
siege Port Arthur, where, as at Vladivo-
stok, it is stated supplies are far from
plentiful. The order Of the day is that
The feet has received instructions not
to engage in any fight at present, but to
remain on the defensive until the begin
ming Of July, when half or whole of the
Baltic fleet will be dispatched to the far
east. It is hoped, also, by that time that
part of the Black sea feet will be on
the way. Work on all ships under con-
struction is being specially pushed for
ward.
Japan Will Go Slow.
London, Feb 22-The latest advices
of Baron Hayashi, the Japanese min
lister to Great Britain, lead him to be-
lieve that the Japanese troops may now
wait possibly two or three months be-
fore undertaking aggressive operations
IN Manchuria. He said:
We have found that Russia is so un-
eXpectedly unprepared that l should not
be surprised il the japanese land forces
contented themselves with establishing
thorough organization and advancing as
the construction of the railroad towards
the Yalu river progresses. Russia APP
Iears to be less prepared than was
China in 1895. [ believe that only three
trains day can be run through Man