Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-02-25
THE UNHAPPY CAR.
he Feels Keenly the Outbreak of
Hostilities and Looks Careworn.
KUROplTKIN MADE CHIEF OF ARMY.
The War Cloud Spreading Over Europe
Action of the Commander Of the United
States GuBboat Much Discussed
SLAMS Acting on Defensive.

St Petersburg, Feb. 22.-The car
according TO those who have access Il
his presence, feels keenly the outbreal
Of hostilities and sorrows at the bur
dens the war entails. Since the re
ceipt Of the news Of the bombardmen
of Port Arthur the car has been mucl
occupied with conferences and has onl!
] appeared In public on one or two oc
casions to review the departing troop
or to show himself at window of thu
winter palace to acknowledge patriotic
demonstrations. Persons who have
seen him say he is looking bad ant
careworn and that his kindness Of
heart causes him to feel acutely the
loss OF his brave men.
The appointment of Gen. Kuropat-
kin, who was Saturday relieved of his
functions as minister Of war, to the
chief command of the Russian army In
the far east, was gazetted yesterday
morning With the possible exception
of Gen. Dragomiroff, formerly governor
general of Kieff and later member of
the council Of state, Gen. Kuropatkin
is the most popular man in the Rus
sian army. AS bluff old soldier who
has founght his way up from the bot
tom to be minister of war, he is the
ideal of the enlisted men. Not one in
the cars army has seen more fighting
and no one can tell story better.
He will be accompanied to the front
by the Grand Dukes Boris, Alexis,
Nicholas and Michael Nikolaievich
The exact mission of Grand Duke
Alexis is unknown, but 1t is undoubted-
ly an important one, as he has been
in supreme command Of the Russian
navy as president of the board of adj
miralty, taking an active part In the
negotiations preceding hostiiities.
The War Cloud Spreading Over Europe.
London, Feb. 22.-Fear is felt here
that the war cloud is spreading all
over Europe. The epoch-marking
crashes in the far east are given sec
ond Importance in the face of the pos
sibliity that England, France and Ger
many may be drawn into the struggle.
Russia's hatred and distrust of En-
gland are reciprocated by the latter
and SO comparatively trifling an incl
dent as the British expedition into
Thibet is being expanded into an i'm
portance that may lead to clash.
Besides, England Is the avowed
friend of Japan. Russian officials on
the continent are openly discussing
the possibility Of war with England
and on her own part England is dis
playing an activity that bespeaks
growing fear that she will be forced
into the conflict
Dispatches from all of the great cap
tails are filled with references to the
growing possibility of a spread of the
About the only nation.
hat has thus far escaped the embar-
'assment Of the situation is the United |
States. Russia is somewhat offended |
It the abrupt manner in which Secre-
airy Hay closed the negotiations for
Uniting the war zone without waiting
Ter reply, but 1t is believed that the
Incident will close with that.
american Commanders Action Discussed.
St Petersburg, Feb. 22.--The action
4 the commander of the, United States
unboat Vlcksburg In declining to join
he commanders of other foreign war
hips In a protest against the attack
I the Japanese feet at Chemulpo,
'hich resulted In the sinking Of the
russian cruisers Variag and Korietz
romises to cause much discussion
ere. The Novoe vremya's London
cables that the protest
the British captain against the Jap
nese attack on the ground that 1t was
breach of neutrality proved inef-
sctual because the American COM
lander would not assent.
Russians Acting on the Defensive.
Chefoo, Feb. 22.-The Russian forces
Manchuria are so far acting entire
: on the defensive. Extensive prepa-
atoms are being made at Dalny, Port
rthur, Niuchwang and Laioyang to
revent the threatened landing of the
apanese troops. A big force of men
re at work on the damaged vessels in
lie Port Arthur harbor and efforts are
cling made to raise the battleship
etvizan.