Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-08
Plainly Depressed Over the
Military Task Before Him.
JAPS PLAN ATTACK
WILL SINK MANY FIRE SHIPS IN
PORT ARTHUR CHANNEL.
Also Bombard the Forts@Hope to Sue
ceed at Least in Blockading
Harbor-Decorations
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, April S.-A cablegram from
Cheefoo says: While at Newchwang Gen.
Kuropatkn was plainly depressed by the
enormous task confronting him, although
hc expressed the most supreme confidence
in the ability of the Russian troops. His
remarks indicated much dissatisfaction
over the backward state of war arrange
ments and chaos prevailing everywhere.
Military men here say the Japanese plan
Is to advance In strong columns so as to
avoid serious embarrassment by the Rus
sian cavalry, on which Kuropatkin and
other Russian officers have placed great
reliance.
Russian Defeat Reported.
A cablegram from London says: A Paris
correspondent wires that the report has
reached the French capital of fresh de-
feat sustained by the Russians In the vicfn-
ity Of the Yalu river Their loss is said 10
have been heavy. There is no confirmation
OF the report. T..
A cablegram from Cheefoo says: 1T is
reported that the wounded Russians in the
military hospital at Vladivostok number
more than two hundred.
Japs Planning an Attack.
A cablegram from ST. Petersburg says:
Port Arthur reports that the Japanese nave
planned a supreme attempt to take place
on Sunday next. Greek Easter. twenty
I'VE fire ships have been prepared for sink
ing in the channel while the whole Jap
anese fleet in the vicinity will lombard the
forts The Japanese are convinced tpat
they will succeed through sheer NUMBERS.
Some fire ships they believe are sure to
reach the critical spots. If nothing else IS
eecured the harbor will at least be COM
pletely bottled up.
Peasants Patriotic.
Peasants of the village of Yamakya, In
the department of Veronesh, have asked
the city to subscribe $500 roubles to the
war expenses. This subscription is equiv
alent to the entire possessions of the COM
munity The czar, replying to the oHer,
said: 'I thank you for your gift. which 1
cannot, however accept, as present condl-
tions do not in the least warrant such sac
rifices as this which would shake to the
foundations the welfare of my people.
Easter Honors for Diplomats.
By Associated Press.
ST. PETERSBURG, April s.-Among the
Easter honors conferred by the en-
peror which will be announced to-
morrow, are forty decorations of persons
In the diplomatic service, three of which go
to America. Nicholas Lodygensky, Russian
consul general at New York, Is made a
commander of the Order of st. Vladimir;
Albert Schlippenbach, consul at Chicago, is
made a commander of the Order of st.
Anne, and Consul Struwe, at Montreal, a
commander of the Order of st. Stanislaus.
The order conferred upon Consul General
Lodygensky is a very high one. given only
for distinguished services, and carrying
with 1t hereditary nobility.
General Kuropatkin has returned to Lao
Yang.
Intrusted to the French.
1t is officially announced that in conse-
quence of the departure of Russian repre-
sentatives from Korea the protection of
Russian interests in that country has been
temporarily intrusted to the French diplo-
matte and consular representatives.
Capital Plunged in Grief.
A hundred million of the emperor's sub
5ects today revived the tragedy of Col
gotha. The Russian capital seemed plunged
IN grief The busy hum of the metropolis
was gone; the streets were deserted. All
night and morning the church bells tolled
mournfully reminding the faithful of the
betrayal of Gethsemane, Peters denial, the
trial before PLATE, the burden of the cross,
and finally the crucifxion. The scourging
and mocking of the Savior were impress
lively re-enacted at the Alexander Nevsky
Cathedral, Antonius. the metropolitan OF
St Petersburg, officiating.
Concentrating Three Hours Agony.
This afternoon, at st. Isaac's Cathedral
was held the solemn ceremony of commem-
Grating the three hours agony, accompa-
MED by beautiful service of song. The
interior of the great cathedral presented a
wonderful scene when at last silver cross
on which was painted a picture of Christ
crucified, was borne out through the inner
golden gates on the shoulders of the black
garbed clergy to magnificent sarcopha,us
erected in the center OF the church.
Solemn Ceremonies.
The vast congregation, consisting of ovei
10000 persons, was on it's knees, each per
son holding a lighted candle. Thrice the
officiating bishops and deacons circled the
bier. and then all the lights We're /extin
guished, and for hours throngs of people
passed before the catafalque most of then
sobbing and weeping.
Comments on American Friendship.
The Novoe Vremya today prints prom
inently an article from an American
newspaper describing an interview be.
tween Emperor Alexander ii and whar.
ton Barker (the Philadelphia fnancier
formerly financial agent of the Russian
government in the United States) on tn,
occasion OF the review of the Russian flee
at Cronstadt in 1879, during which tn,
emperor told Mr.. Barker of his determi
nation to consider Great Britain's recog
milton of the confederacy a casus belii
and for that reason sent the Russian
fleets to New York and San Francisco.
The Novoe Vremya remarks: "Russi,
has not forgotten how to honor the fla,
raised in 1863 by Russian sQuadrons a
New York and San Francisco. The Amer
leans who were at Cronstadt that da,
hnt tr tot
friendship for America during the civi
war"
The Novosti approves of the govern
ments policy, but foresees that NOR
important measures are necessary I,
provide for the war expenditure.
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