Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-02-25

st. Petersburg. Feb. 81. = Hence
forth during the war with Japan
Russia wholly will rely upon her army
to win.
That she has decided practically to
surrender as fer as her navy is con-
cerned was made known last night,
when orders were sent to the com
mander of the squadron on the Gulf OF
Alden to return to Kronstadt. The
fleet started for Asiaiic waters before
war was declared. and it was stopped
at Jibutil, French Somaliand, when
news came Of the defeat of the Rus
slams at Port Arthur
London, Feb. 81. - can American
squadron is expected here tele-
graphs the Chefu correspondent of
the Morning Post under date OF Feb.
20, land it is reported that the Ameri-
cans intend to land a force OF ma
rines. There are rumors of possible
trouble with Germany, who claims eX-
elusive rights in Shan Tung. Only
three Russian warships at Port Ar
thur remain intact
France May Get Into It.
Paris, Feb. 81. = There is more
danger that France will be drawn into
the Far Eastern conflict through the
fact that Japan covets the French
Indo- Chinese possessions than
through the unstable Russo-French al
lance" said an official OF the minis
try of war.
'.I'or several years." he went on,
since Japan came into possession of
the island of Formosa, the Japs have
been regarding with jealous eye the
development of French interests on
the opposite coast. They have forth
ned Formosa and placed there 10000
men and vast supplies, with the View
of ultimate interference.
During the exposition at Hanoi,
the capital of Tonquin, a French pos
session, Japanese governmental
agents disguised as exhibitors,
Secretly Found Out
all the details Of Frances military
and other resources in Indo-China.
Four weeks before the bombardment
OF Port Arthur this ministry was
greatly disturbed by the comings and
goings of various Japanese officers in
Indo- Chinese territory. In my opin-
lon, before the war between Russia
and Japan is finished France will be
compelled to defend it's As'atic IS
sessions by force of arms
Great irritation prevails at the war
office over Japan's attitude. For two
years past this government has had
In its possession an exhaustive report
outlining the designs of Japan against
this cherished French possession.
Moreover, 1t is learned from a most
trustworthy scmi.official information
that the Russian embassy warned the
French government Of this danger last
November. Every effort is being
made to suppress discussion of the
subject in parliament.
Very Angry at America.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 21.-The pub
LEGATION Of the British blue book upon
the Far East has caused disagree
able impression in Russia, for. accord.
Ing to Russian opinion, It is clearly
shown that England, America and
Japan have during the last three
years been doing everything possible
to counteract Russia's Chinese policy.
The Birzheviya viedmosti says:
IF England and the United States had
only insisted on maintenance of the
neutrality Of Korea there would have
been no blocd-spilAng at Chsmulpo or
Port Arthur. However, the war has
Begin, and Russia will not leave, II
as she did in 1878, when all THAI: was
gained by the sword was destroys. ii,;a
the pen"
Germany Active in China. s}E II
Shanghai, Feb. Pit is reported al
Wei Hsin 1.-THE most important city
In the province OF Shantungy that
Germany has secured The right to In
algurate a uniform police system in
all the cities OF Shantung The Chi
nese received the announcement Ia
vorably. Il,
Berlin, Feb. 81 In considering al
item In the foreign Office budget pro
viding $500. 900 for expenses in the
Far East. including the maintenance
;Of the German troops at Kiao.C haou
Shantung province. and IN Chili prov
ince, China. some of the members d
the richstag appropriations commit
tee ss
Objected % the Expenses
IS being unnecessary burden For
seign Secretary Won Richthofen conn
Sdenttially communicated to the com