Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-11-03
WAR NOTES.

ron put into the harbor of V1go, on the
northwest coast of Spain, and into the
bay of Arosa, nearby, and asked to stay
for four days for repairs and coal, which
request seems to have been granted by
the Spanish government
Admiral Rojestvensky was promptly
both by his government
and by newspaper correspondents, ana
made the astonishing statement that
his fleet was attacked. that night on the
North Sea. by Japanese torpedo boats,
and that some of his ships were struck
by shots fred from them.
This raised question of veracity De-
tween the Russian officers and the Eng
lish fishermen, and the English govern
ment agreed to leave it to commission
instituted under the Rules Of the Hague
Tribunal-which put an end, for the
time being. to the English preparations
for war, though it does not settle the
matter.
The Russian assertions seem absurd
and the chances are that the ofncers
started out on their long voyage by get
ing drunk, just as their army offlcers
did in Mauchuria, and the case will
probably turn out tobe one of too much
vodka instead of Jap torpedo boats
The Jap government asserts that 1t
had no torpedo boats in the North Sea,
and that it is living up to its original
announcement to contine the war to
Eastern waters.
1t will take some time to investigate
the matter. and in the meantime the
Russian officers will remain at Vigo and
the different European governments
will find out where they are at.
There is little doubt but that the
lowering of theprestige of Russia will
eventually change the map of Europe.
Prussia or Germany, like Russia. is
anxious to secure an outlet on the Medi-
terranean, and has been held back by
the Austro- Russian alliance; France
would like to recover Alsace and
Lorraine; and the Austrian Empire will
probably disintegrate with the death OF
the present Emperor, who is an old
man, and now that Russia is no longer
to be feared there will likely be some do
ings in Europe within the next decade.
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hay have addressed note to the
powers, suggesting the reassembling OF
tie Peace Congress for the purpose OF
Improving international law, particu-
larry as to ''centraband of war;" and
other questions that have lately arisen.
In Manchuria, at the beginning Of the
week, Gen. Kuropatkin had received
reinforcements to replace the $4,000
men, the guns and equipments he
acknowledges to have lost during the
ten DAYS battle; better weather had set
in and he still had hopes Of relieving
Port Arthur
Both armies We're facing each other,
in trenches, dug during the nights and
hid in during the day, in some places
not 600 PAGES from those of the other
army.
The Japs seemed to be awaiting the
Russian attack. and biding their time.
They are better prepared for winter
campaign, than are the Russians and
besides this they know that the Siberian
railroad upon which the Russian army
depends for its existence will soon be
showed under
AT Port Arthur the Japs are spas
medically continuing their lombard
ment. and were also approaching the
principal Notifications by parallels,
against which there is no defense.
FISHERS TALE CONFIRMED.
The circumstances of the firing on the
North sea fishing feet, as detailed by
Russian officers, closely resemble the
facts reported by the admiral of the
fishing feet.
/, When abreast of the t-awlers the
Russian squadron was formed in two
divisions, the cruisers steaming east and
the battle ships west, the latter getting
among the fishing feet and opening fire.
When nearly clear Of the fishing craft,
which were heading toward the battle
ships, some Russian shells flew over the
trawlers and struck cruisers, one of
which, the Aurora, was hit several
times, and some of her men were
wounded, including a priest, who died.
The transport Anatol apparently be-
came tangled among the trawlers, which
she mistook for torpedo boats, and sig-
nailed for aid, thereby leading the Off
GERS Of the pattleships to believe the
trawlers were attacking the Anatol.
This, coupled with the appearance of
the two mysterious torpedo boats steam
ing toward the battleship, resulted in
the fatal canncnade.
The export of over So, 00O, 600 in gold,
last, Saturday was the first that has
taken place in long time. 1t was
coincident with d report of another i'm
mense Russian loan. England has been
losing gold to the Continent and the
situation is one that is unusual. grow
ing largely out of the war in the East.
1t is evident that Russia must soon have
more money, as It's impossible to draw
heavily on hcr own gold reserves with
out depreciation of the immense is
sues of paper in the empire. A call for
$t70, 600, 600, as reported, will probably
be promptly met by the bankers Of the
world, but it will result in some read
justments of the gold supply, of which
American shipments are likely to be
the first. Money loans at lower rates
here than in any great mart of the
world. in spite of the fact that stock
speculation for two weeks has averaged
over million and half shares day
Until rates harden here the gold is like
ly to go where it is most wanted Since
the war began this country has absorb
ed considerable amount of both Rus
sian and Japanese bonds, mostly held
by the great insurance companies, and