Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-10
Russia to Protect ST. Petersburg From
Possible Attack

ST. PETERSBURG, June 10, 1 p.m.-Re-
mote as now appears the chance that the
Japanese fleet will ever be in a position to
venture the Baltic and make a demonstra-
ton against the Russian capital, or that
European power will be drawn into the
war, Russia evidently is taking nothing
for granted
The possibility Of the fall of Port Arthur
Or disaster to the Baltic squadron after
the latter sails for the far east have been
considered. and no precaution will be omit
ted to protect st. Petersburg against at
tack. The fortifications of Riga Tin the
southern part OF the Gulf Of Riga) and
Reval (at the entrance of the Gulf or F1n-
land) have been strengthened. some new
guns of the latest patterns have been
mounted In the fortress of Cronstadt ana
a chain Of water batteries running out on
either side of the shores of the Gulf or
Finland will guard the entrance to the
mouth of the Neva. This system of forti-
fcations was sufficient to discourage the
attack planned by the British fleet during
the Crimean war.
Erect Shore Batteries.
In addition. however, shore batteries have
been constructed near Oranienbaum (on the
Gulf of Cronstadt). nineteen miles from st.
Petersburg, and Sestroryetsk (on the Ses-
ira river. and seventeen miles from st.
Fetersburg) probably as precaution
against landings, as it is believed the forts
are able to stop the advance of hostile
fleet. The approaches to Cronstadt are
also being mined and merchant ships are
being forbidden to enter the port without
a pilot to conduct them through the mine
fields.
Owing to the extensive work in progress
at Cronstadt in connection with the prepa-
re ton of the Baltic squadron the central
basin heretofore reserved for merchant
ships, has been appropriated by the navy.
Rigid regulations are enforced against any
zone approaching the Notifications The
Grand Duke Vladimir. commander OF the
military district of St. Petersburg, has
Just completed an inspection of the shore
batteries.
Rules Tor Treatment of Prisoners.
The Russian rules for the treatment of
prisoners of war were promulgated today.
They are of a most humane character, fol-
lowing the most advanced ideas on the
subject of the care of prisoners A war
bureau for the collection and distribution
of every possible kind of information con-
cerning prisoners has been established by
the Russian Red Cross Society, under the
presidency of Professor De Martens (pro-
fcssor of international law at the University
of ST. Petersburg and recently president
of The Hague court which decided the
pious fund claimS).
The Novoe Vremya editorially scouts the
idea fostered by section of the British
press that the fall of Port Arthur will end
the war.
The government is considering the ques-
ton of increasing the scale of pensions for
soldiers and sailors widows.
The only radical innovation is the inclu-
sion of a clause providing that the crews
of Japanese merchantmen can be mace
prisoners of war, which is in retaliation for
the action of the Japanese In holding as
prisoners the crews of captured Russian
merchantmen.
The rank and file of the japanese soldlers
receive the same rations as Russian SOL
diers The officers in charge of prisoners
are particularly commanded to see that the
food of the japanese corresponds as nearly
as possible with what they have been ac-
customed to in Japan. They will also re-
ceive the pay and will do the work which
Russian soldiers do. Japanese officers VINO
are captured will be allowed fair amount
of pocket money.