The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-18
Route $50 Miles From Mukden
to BIagOvetchensk.
MAY UNITE WHITES.
European Diplomat Hopes China
Will Help Japan.
Then All White Powers Would
Have to Take a Hand.
Rumor of Soldiers Freezing to
Death Causes Mirth.

st. Petersburg, March 1S.-2 p. NJ
The Gazette expresses the hope that
the Anglo French understanding will
result in a more friendly attitude on
the part of Great Britain toward
Russia. A diplomat representing a
small European power expresses the
hope that China will join Japan, on the
theory that all the white powers, in
Guiding the United States will then be
compelled to form a coalition and stop
the which would ruin the trade of
the whole world with China. But he
fears Japan realizes the danger and
will decline China's aid.
The Red Cross society is considering
a proposition to fit out an auto train
to convey the wounded over the high
road, $50 miles. from Mukden, Man
cnuria, to BlagOVetchensk, East
Siberia, on the river Amur. where they
would be placed on board barges for
conveyance to hospitals established
along that river.
An expert in the military organ says
that even presuming there are four di-
visions of Japanese at Ping Yang,
Korea, they could not venture to ad-
vance till reinforced by two more di-
visions, which would require another
month or six weeks. The writer con-
tends that they could not advance more
than seven miles day, owing to the
condition of the roads. He compares
Ping Yang with Plevna and says the
great draw back to the town is that it
is surrounded by marshes which will
breed insects and malaria when the
warm weather comes.
a correspondent of the Associated
Press on crossing Lake Baikal writes:
The stories of soldiers frozen to
death while crossing the lake provokes
mirth. Personally, 1 am convinced
that the men are not suffering from
cold Huts at intervals of 81 few Tersts
the weaker men are driven across in
sleighs well wrapped in furs.f Others
march the distance 40 Versts, about 26
miles, comfortably in a day and are
glad of the opportunity to stretch their
limbs after the railroad journey. The
huts are provided with bells. which are
rung during snow storms and lanterns
hung on the telegraph poles show the
way at night, the ice railroad convey
ing the baggage cars which are drawn
by horses.
The ice bra ekers are getting ready
to begin operations at the end of
March
GIRL TO FIGHT IN WAR.
Odessa, March 1S.-A Bulgarian girl
named Zorka IIlieva, who fought and
was wounded in the ranks of the Mace
donian insurgents. has arrived here
and volunteered for service in Man
churia. She wears masculine attire.
is an expert horsewoman and handles
rifle and sword. The girl saw General
Kaulbars, the commander-in-cFief
here. who promised to endorse her ap-
plication. She brought with her a full
campaign equipment.
ADMIRAL STACKELBERG DENIES.
St. Petersburg March 18.-Admiral
Stackelberg. who on account of illness
turned over the command of the
VladiVOstOk squadron to Captain Reit-
zenstein. has arrived in st. Petersburg.
He gives an entirely different version
of some of the reports emanating from
japanese sources regarding the events
hnfn ha 1aff Of HI
squadron February to February Is in
Japanese waters was made by order of
Admiral Stark. for it's effect upon the
population of northern Japan. Admiral
Stackelberg denies that he fired upon
Japanese merchantmen in Sangras
straits. He says the ships were cap
tured and that while attempting to
convey them to port terrific blizzard
sprang uD- and not wishing to en-
danger the Russian cruisers, after TAX
ing OF the crews and passengers from
the merchantmen. one of the latter.
loaded with contra band rice, was sunk
The other. which was a worthless
tramp steamer. was released to carry
to the Japanese the story of the pres
ence of the Russian Warships in those
waters for moral effect There never
was any bombardment of Hakodate
which is heavil-r fortified The ad-
niral adds that he can not understand
how such stupid story was credited
He expressed the opinion that the war
will be of long duration, judging from
the extensive Japanese prepare tions
which were thoroughly understood at
Vladivostok where war was expected
even earlier than it came
PRIZE COURTS ESTABLISHED.
St. Petersburg, March 1S.-The minis
terry of marine has directed the institu-
tion of prize courts at Sebastapol Port
Arthur and Vladivostok
COLD AT PING YANG
New York. March 1S.-Although the
ice in Ping Yang inlet is broken there
is much drifting. says a Times dis
patch from Chinnampo, Korea. The
weather is intensely cold but such Jap
anese troops as are not Immediately
pushed followed after landing from the
transports are bivouacking with their
animals in the open and sleep in turns
in Korean houses, which with fire IN
der the floors are warm. though dirty.
BRIGANDS DEFEAT RUSSIANS
New York, March 1S.-A band of
mounted Manchurian brigands has
swooped down upon Russian outpost
near Pan Lachan, town near Port
Arthur. says dispatch to the American
from. New Chwang; For time the
finally were forced to retreat, leaving
two Maxims on the field. The casual
ties are not stated. The Russian flag,
which has been flying on the public
buildings at New Chwang, has been
hauled down and replaced by the
French emblem.
QUESTIONS JAPANESE REPORTS.
St Petersburg, March 1S.-2 D. M
The war experts here are questioning
the truth of the japanese official re-
ports. asking for instance how the tor
pedo boats of Vice Admiral Togo. the
commander-in-cbief of the squadron.