Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-16
WAS ACRUSH|NG BLOW
Russia Bemoans Defeat OF
Vladivostok Ships.
PORT ARTHUR PROBLEM
ADMIRALTY IS PUZZLED OVER
REPORTED soRTIE OF VESSELS.
Relieved Rain of Shells Into Harbor by
Jap Batteries Makes Situa-
tion Serious.
PORT ARTHUR PROBLEM

ST. PETERSBl RG, August ld-3'lo pun
--rhe news OF the defeat of the Niadlvo-
stok squadron has added another crushing
blow to the reverse before Port Arthur
No public announcement has yet been
made of the sinking of the Rurik.
The Chefoo report of the sortie of Rus
sian warships from Port Arthur naturally
cannot he confirmed and the admiralty Is
przzled to know whether 1t refers to the
ships which remained in the harbor when
the main squadron went out August 10 or
TO ships of the late Admiral Wtthofts orig
inal squadron.
In either event however, 1t Is construed
as evidence that the shells of the japanese
land batteries are falling on the harbor,
rendering it impossible for the ships to re-
main there any longer. 1t is also inter
preted in some quarters indicating the
eve of the storming of the fortress
Russian Ships Unaccounted For.
The admiralty has little additional infor-
nation todcy regarding the sea fight OF
August TO- or the whereabouts of the nVe
Russian battleships and three cruisers un-
accounted for. Hope is still cherished that
they escaped and reached an appointed
rende eZvous
Russia has been officially Informed of the
lowering of the flags over the battleship
'ZiItNIlCH anu tIlt Two utSlIcNtiS dt
Tsingtau and acquiesces with Germanys
position that the ships must remain there
until the end of the war While ordinary
ship repairs may be allowed by Germany
within the harbor. no renewal or repair of
their armament guns will be fermitted.
The reports that the United States and
Great Britain have taken exception to Ger
mauys decision in this matter do not Ie
Ceve credence.
Nothing definite has yet been decided re-
garding the disarming of the Askold at
Shanghai, on account of the questionable
ability of China to protect her against a
repetition of the Ryeshitelni incident.
The torpedo-boat destroyer Skori is the
only Russian destroyer sunk off Wei-Hai-
Wei.
Alexieff at Vladivostok
Niceroy Alexief has arrived at Vladi-
vostok. His army organ believes the jap
anese armies may move against Lao-Yang
any day and does not believe the reports
that three additional Japanese divisions
have been drafted to Port Arthur. 1t
thinks the Japanese are likely to spread
such reports in order to mslead General
Kuropatkn.
The Russian press praises the herolsm of
the late Admiral Withoft's desperate sor-
tie against overwhelming odds as prefer
able to remaining In port. At the s; me
time the papers continue to express the
most bitter indignation the Ryeshi-
telni incident and are almost unanimous
in expressing the opinion that it will lead
to international complications.
The SViet says: China has permitted a
breach of neutrality and perhaps will soon
Join Japan, thus embroiling other powers"
The Novosti remarks: The Japanese con-
ceptlon of international law appears to be
to pursue the enemy regardless of neutral
lty. Red Cross or other conventions The
mkado's humane attitude toward the IN
habitants of Port Arthur is therefore all
the more remarkable"
The BOurse Gazette says: why do not
the powers interfere and compel Japan to
observe international law? The general
prophetic feeling. at the opening of the war,
that complications were inevitable is now
becoming verified"
The Novoe Nremya asserts that In view
of what has happened at Chefoo II protests
against the disarming of the Askold and the
Grczovoi at Shanghai. adding: "Russia's
word that she Will not move either ship
during the war should suffice"