Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-05
MAY END DISCUSSION
Variag Commanders State
ment Regarded Satisfactory.
ACTION UNNECESSARY
RECEPTION TO BE ACCORDED VA
RIAa AND KoRIETZ SURVIVORS.
Plain Army Life in Russian Generals
Quarters-Claim Germans Have
Been Eclipsed-NotHs.
ACTION UNNECESSARY

ST. PETERSBURG, April 5. 1:5O p.m.-
The statement by Captain Stepanon of the
variag at Odessa April regarding the
action of the commander of the United
States gunboat Vicksburg at Chemulpo was
reprinted here today. 1t is believed the
statement will put an end to the discussion
Of the incident. which has been the cause
of so much irritation in Russia. The
Zeitung says:
Captain Stepanon has done well to ex-
plain the truth. 1t has never been to Rus
sia's interest to make enemies. although
foolish Chauvinism often has done so. Rus
sia has every reason to express her sincere
thanks and recognition for the humane and
noble bearing OF every power represented
at Chemulpo."
Stepanoff's Statement.
Captain Stepanoff. in the statement re-
ferred to in the above Dispatch said:
"At the time the Vicksburg was stationed
at Chemulpo her captain held aloof. He
took no part in the conference of protest
preceding the fight, for the simple reason
that he was not invited to do so. After the
< fight, like the others, he sent a surgeon
with boat to the rescue.
"As regards his not taking Russian
men aboard the Vicksburg. this was un-
necessary. and 1t is more than probable
that Captain Rudnefr, commanding the
Varfag. did not ask IT.
For Reception of Survivors.
Great preparations are being made at
st. Petersburg for the reception of the
crews of the Variag and korietz The
council has voted $500 for their entertain
ment Scholarships will be founded for the
children of the officers.
Lieut.. Gen. Froloff, who has been acting
chief of the general staff since Gen. Sakhd-
roff's appointment as war minister, has
been granted the rights and privileges of
an assistant secretary of state by the
peror. This may foreshadow his permanent
appointment as chief of the general staff
Gen. SakharOff announces that the Oren-
burg Cossacks will be allowed SO each for
the purchase of horses. This measure in
dicates the mobilization of the Cossacks in
the Orenburg province.
Plain Life in Quarters.
The army organs correspondent at Lao
Yang forwards a description of Gen. KurO-
patkin's headquarters. as follows:
There is none of the pomp and ciycum-
stance in life here. nothing but round of
hard work. The stone cottages built for the
STAFF are cold and cheerless. Inside the Of
ficers have to sit in furs. despite the roar
ing fires; but they are too busy to notice
the discomfort. Every cottage resounds
with the click of the typewriter drawing
up details of the disposition of the troops.
Eclipsed Germans.
1--WE have eclipsed the Germans in pre-
cision and promptitude. There is no con-
fusion or hustle. AS soon as a regiment
arrives 1t is comfortably quartered in
warm. roomy barracks, the men well
fed and rested, and are then sent off to
their allotted station. There is no serious
Illness among the arrivals, and no epi-
demic."
The German wireless telegraph system
has been adopted at the Baikal ferries be-
cause the Cronstadt works are too busy
supplying the warships with the Popom
system to furnish apparatus for Baikal.
The Novosti devotes a long editorial to
show that the proposed new triple alli-
ance (Russia, France and Great Britain)
will not be for the purpose of isolating
Germany.