Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-19
MASS|NG At HARBIN
Troops Concentrating Now at
Russia's New Base.
REGARDED AS TACTFUL
SIGNIFICANCE OF WITHDRAWAL
OF TROOPS NORTH.
Korea to Be Battle Ground = Official
REGARDED AS TACTFUL
Korea to Be Battle Ground - Official
Report Of Port Arthur Fight
Russian Regiments Perish.

PARIS, February 19.-A representative of
the Matin who has reached the center of
the Russian military concentration at Har-
bin after great hardships, due to the trans
Siberian railway trains being crowded
with thousands of soldiers, in a dispatch
dated from Hardin yesterday confirms the
announcement that that place will be the
main base of the Russian land operations.
Thus far the base has succeeded in MAIN
tanning it's communication with Port Ar
thur.
The concentration of troops the corre-
espondent says, proceeds Systematically,
and provision has been made for the speedy
arrival of 10000 men from the divisions
of Moscow, Kieff and Varsovie. Before
twelve days shall have elapsed the Russians
will have disposed of an army Of 100000
men through Manchuria.
Intense Generalization exists among the
populace; and the people of surrounding
villages are flocking into the town, seeking
to reach western Russia. The railway
trains, however, are blocked and over 1900
voyagers are thus held up. The intense
cold prevailing increases the suffering and
adds to the difficulties of bringing forward
troops.
There is no truth in the rumor that For
eign Minister Delcasse has resigned. The
report began to circulate in the corridors
of the chamber of deputies and was i'm
mediately denied. Premier Combes and the
other ministers were present at the for
eign office today. There was not the slight
est indication of a change in the ministry.
Confirms Appointment.
The St Petersburg correspondent of the
Journal says in dispatch that War Min
lister kuropatkin has been appointed to the
chief command of the troops in Manchuria.
He will be under Viceroy Alexieff
The correspondent adds that nothing has
been decided concerning the departure of
the Russian squadron at Jibutil, in the
Gulf of Alden.
Significance is attached to the Figaro S
discussing the possible retreat of the Rus
sian forces from Port Arthur toward the
north. The Figaro, which is intensely
pro-Russian, and enjoys the favor Of the
Russian court, says:
THE Russian note explaining the de-
lays In the military operations has had
the effect of confirming Viceroy Alexieff S
plan to withdraw northward toward Muk-
den and Harbin.'
The military editor of the Figaro de-
clares this would be wise and tactical
movement, as the Russian troops are bet
ter able to make a stand further north.
French Neutrality.
1t is announced officially at Paris that
the French government has issued instruc-
tions relative to the observance of neu-
trality and that, practically, they are the
same as those issued concerning the OBJ
servance of neutrality during the Span
ish-American war, but it is pointed out
that the French navigation laws contain
no positive requirement that belligerent
ships shall leave a neutral port within
twenty-four hours, and that, therefore
this matter is one Of regulation by Gus
tom, instead of being legal requirement
as under the British navigation laws.
No change has yet been announced at
Paris relative to permitting the Russian
squadron to remain at Jibutil, French
Somaliland, the authorities evidently be-
ing desirous to fully observe the require
ments of neutrality without unnecessarily
causing offense or embarrassment to a
power with which France is closely al
lied.