Americus times-recorder., 1904-03-24
WAR NEWS FROM
RUSSIAN CAPITAL
Further Details Of Port Arthur
Bombardment Expected.
CLAIM JAPs SHELL INEFFECTIVE


Russian Admiral Commended For Not
Going Out to Engage the Japanese
Squadron-Chinese Official Fails to
Make New Year Calls.
st. Petersburg, March 23.-1:7 pm.
Further details of yesterdays at
tack on Port Arthur are expected dur
ing the day but nothing in the way of
private or newspaper dispatches sup
plementing the official accounts have
been received up to the present time.
According to the information here
there now exists complete embar-
go upon newspaper dispatches direct
from Port Arthur. The military au-
thorities seem to manifest no displeas-
ure at the Japanese tactics yesterday.
On the contrary, they declare such
bombardments only wear out the guns
and machinery of the ships and wastes
ammunition without compensating ad
vantages. They point to the COM
by the bOmbardments of Santiago by
the American fleet as proof of their
futility. From the positions the
Japanese took the latter could not
The range was from to miles,
with a high angle of fire, and precision
was impossible Although the gener-
al target was large, only a lucky
chance could really damage the batter
les or ships. So far as known the
Japanese accomplished nothing yes
terday. On the other hand, the Rus
slams had better luck, a shell from
the battleship Retvizan, which was
firing over the hill, landing on one of
the Japanese battleships. Of course
it is admitted that these pot shots
are trying to the garrison.
Vice Admiral Makaroff, the naval
commander at Port Arthur is being
commended for his self-restraint in
not risking his ships in an engagement
with the enemy.
A prominent Russian general ex-
planned to the correspondents of the
Associated Press how absolutely es-
sential conservatism of the Russian ma
val commander at Port Arthur was at
present. He said:
"lf Admiral Makaroff, whose reputa-
tion would be to go out and meet the
enemy, should give battle upon the
approaching of the Japanese and defeat
them his victory would be fruitless,
as necessarily it would be purchased
by sold injuries to ships, and our lack
of adequate docking facilities at Port
Arthur would render it impossible to
refit them, whereas the Japanese have
ample docks in which to repair their
vessels"
The feeling here is that the Japa-
nese tactics are preliminary to land
ing on the peninsula in an attempt to
cut off Port Arthur simultaneously
with general bOmbardment and COM
mencement of siege. For this the
Russians declare they are fully pre-
pared During the last ten days a
general shutting down upon newspa-
per kilograms from the Far East has
been noticeable. This IS owing to
increased precautions to prevent the
enemy from obtaining news of the
movements of the Russian troops THE
Russians are being massed in force
along their line from Feng Huang
Chenfi northward for 80 miles, while
their second line extends from Mouk-
den to Hal Cheng.
All the rolling stock required for
use in the Far East has now crossed
lake Baikal. The last locomotive
was taken over yesterday.
Prince Ehilkoff, the minister of pub
lie works, leaves Baikal in a few days.
Forty trucks of grain reach Port Ar
thur daily.