The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-04-11

MAKAROFF WAS READY
Japanese Fleet Approached Port
Arthur but Retired without
a Fight.

LONDON, April 11.-Advices from
st. Petersburg say the generally antic-
ipated attack on Port Arthur did not
occur, although a telegram received
from Grand Duke Cyril reports that
the enemy's ships were sighted on the
horizon. 1t is presumed that the Japa-
nese were warned of the extra precau-
tions which had been taken to guard
against a surprise.
Vice Admiral Makaroft's torpedo flo-
tilla patroled the open sea, while the
warships, with full steam up remained
outside Port Arthur.
Elsewhere throughout the theater Of
war all is reported quiet
A high Russian military authority
has explained why General Kuropat-
kin's plan of campaign does not con
template a heavy resistance to the
Japanese advance at the Yalu, saying:
Either defeat or victory in "A battle
there would be disadyantageous to us.
If we lost we would have to fall back
through difficult country. If we won
and | say to you that Russian STRAIT
egy is based on the idea of victory
and not on that of defeat-st1ccess
would be fruitless. We could not fol
low it up. without exposing the army
to too great risks. On account of the
japanese control Of the sea If we pur
sued the enemy into the peninsula of
Korea we would open both flanks to
possible attack from the rear. No; the
Japanese must come on to a point in
the interior which with this end in
view has been selected where we can
follow up crushing defeat to the bit
ter end with blow after blow and seal
the fate of the campaign.
"Our plans on sea and land will con-
verge at a time next summer when
Vice Admiral Makarofrs fleet will be
relieved by the arrival of re-enforce-
ments. Then If successful on land we
can clear the sea of the enemy, cut his
communications, and the Japanese in
Korea and Manehuria will then be at
our mercy.
"The world must not be impatient
The prelude to this war is not yet fin
ished."
II is understood that as the result of
General Kuropatkin's visit to New
chwang re.enforcements of 100000
men will be sent forward from Lao
yang.
A Tokyo dispatch says the body OF
the Japanese officer found and buried
at Port Arthur is unquestionably that
Of Commander Takaso Hirose, who
lost his life In the engagement on
March %, when Vice Admiral Togo
made his second attempt to bottle up
the port. The description of the uni
form tallies with that worn by officers
Of Hirose's rank The fact that the
body had been missing is further con-
tirmatory of this.
The government deeply appreciates
the action Of the Russians in giving
the remains a military funeral, and
officers Of the naval staff express their
appreciation of the Russian courtesy.
Commander Kulezicki, says a St Pc
tersburg telegram, has handed re-
port to the emperor concerning the
proposed voyage of the Baltic squad
ron to the far east by. way of the sea
of Kara.
Commander Kulezicki says he will
be able to get the squadron to its des-
tination by the end of August.
Rear Admiral Rojestvensky, chief Of
the general staff, when interviewed,
said that he had accepted the COM
mand of the Baltic squadron, adding
that he was not certain that the squad
ron would go to the far east.