Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-02-18

answer to an inquiry whether az
illustrative entity" Of China involved
Manchuria. Japan was heard from
quickly with the answer that she
would act readily on the suggestion
of the United States IL a similar prom
Use could be obtained from Russia.
Italy, Austro-Hungary and the Meth
erlands expressed sympathy with the
consultation with other powers. There
is. reason to believe that Spain and
Belgium vii! also accept the invita-
ton. Russia thus far has been silent
and the attitude of France is one of
hesitation.
This Is the situation at present.
Meantime it is learned that Germany
is addressing the combatants with a
note in substance the same as that of
Secretary Hay.
Silence Is OmInous.
London, Feb. Incomplete silence
has fallen over the Far East. Not a
word of news Is to be had here except
the report given out at the Japanese
legation CT the Smelling of two Jap.
anese merchant vessels by four Rus
sian warships, and the report from
Ficeroy Alexieff Of the blowing up Of
the Russian torpedo transport
This. long silence has given rise to
the belief that important events are
happening
A dispatch to the Daily Mirror from
Toxic says that the Japanese have
blown up a portion of the Siberian
railroad, but this is probably only
repetition of previous similar reports.
The Russian government has asked
permission to dock a disabled torpedo
boat destroyer at Suez, but this re-
quest was refused, as the authorities
at Port Said had surveyed the de-
stroyer and declared her fit to pro-
ceed
Send Hays Note to Alexieff.
ST. Petersburg, Feb. 14-Russia is
evidently not prepared at this time to
give an answer to the United States
to Secretary Hays note on the subject
of the neutrality of China. AS previ-
ously stated in these dispatches, hos
tilities having begun, the military au-
thorities must be consulted and the
car doubtless will refer the matter
to viceroy Alexieff if he has not al
ready done SO. Russia, it can be said,
is certainly as anxious as the United
States that the war cause no risings
or disorders in China; indeed, the at
titt,de of China is already causing
some misgivings here, as she has Lot
yet declared her neutrality.
Break Russia's Prestige in China.
the Japanese in flooding Pekin with
posters relating their victories is part
of o well laid campaign projected
from the beginning to break down
Russias prestige in China for the pur-
pose of ultimately effecting the union
of the two races, which would make
the yellow peril" reality.
Russia has already learned of the
position taken by several powers re-
garding Secretary Hays note. Ger
many and Great Britain, it is under
stood, both: express sympathy with its
purpose, but with the important res
ervation concerning Manchuria, which
is now the theater of war. Germanys
views in this respect were anticipated,
but Great Britain's failure to give Sec
rotary Hay unqualified support has
caused surprise here.
Might Start Another Row.
st. Petersburg, Feb. Il. - The re-
port that Russia is negotiating for
permission to bring her Black sea
fleet through the Dardanelles cannot
be confirmed here. In diplomatic cir
cles, while. it is not believed that the
porte would offer objections to this.
the impression lis that such an at
tempt would precipitate grave com
plications with the powers signatory
to the Dardanelles convention.