The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-25

der OF Emperor Nicholas, VINO sent n
message to the crews congratulating
them on saving the vessels and thank
ing them for their service to the en-
pire-
Trouble Is Ended.
Shanghai. Aug. 25-An order was re-
ceived at $50 o'clock last night from
the Russian minister at Pekin that the
cruiser Aslxold and the torpedo boat
destroyer GrozovOi were to be disarm-
ed. Yesterday was a day of consider
able anxiety in official circles. First an
order went forth that the vessels could
remain four days longer. Then negotia-
tiOns were begun for another four days
This request was eagerly and persist
emily pressed by the Russian minister
at PekIn, but it was absolutely refused
by the Chinese government. There
upon an order came to Shanghai to
rush work on the vessels and go out to
what seemed certain death next Sun
day. The abject distress of the Askold's
crew when this news was received was
pitiable. From the first the officers
and crew have urged disarmament, but
the minister at Pekin would not con-
slider the suggestion The dock man
ayers yesterday notified the Russian
officials that the Askold's hold could
not be repaired by Sunday. More tele-
graphing to Pekin followed and last
night the welcome osder to dismantle
was received by the Russian admiral.
The Askold and Grozovoi will go out
of commission before Sunday. There is
general satisfaction here over the out
come of the matter. ......-.
Christening Honors Are Many.
St Petersburg, Aug. 25-The list
of christening honors is very large,
containing plentiful recognition of the
army and all departments of the state
except the navy whose honors are
practically limited to appointments of
Admiral Jessen and Captain Dabich
as imperial aides de camp.
The comforting of the high order of
St Alexander Nevsky on Foreign
Minister LamsdOrff and the order of
the White Eagle on NJ. Witte. presi-
dent of the council of ministers. is re-
garded as significant and as indicat-
ing the complete return to favor of
the emperors conservative council
lOrs.
While there is some popular disap-l
pointment with the emperor's mani
festO because it was hardly as broad
as expected, the papers unite in prais-
ing it and in expressing good wishes
for the heirs health and happiness.
They also publish special articles
ment.
The Novoe Vremya says that the
peasants were remitted arrearages of
taxes to exceed $6S.5OO,OOO. adding:
Nobody is forgotten. Provision is |
made for soldiers and sailors orphans, I
the legalizing of upauthorized mar !
Ttages, for amnesty and even for the /,
Firms. who are relieved of a quarter 4
manifesto rewards the brave soldiers 4
and sailors by abolishing corporal 4
punishment in the service and re-
wards the engineer officers of the navy
BY giving them substantial rank
England Asks for Explanations.
St. Petersburg, Aug. 25.-Great
Britain has formally called the atten-
tion of the Russian government to the
renewed activity of the volunteerl
steamer Smolensk and has asked for
explanations.
Russia has not yet formally replied.
being without official information, but
In general way she has explained
what the foreign office suggested to
the Associated Press yesterday Orders
sent to the Smolensk not to stop any
more neutral vessels have not been
delivered. /,
The Novoe Vremya, commenting on
the English newspapers propositions
TO treat the Russian auxiliary cruisers
as pirates, asks them not to forget
neutrals of today are the belligerents
of tomorrow. and inquiries how the
British auxiliary cruisers would relish
being treated as pirates.
Why Russia Hesitated.
St Petersburg. Aug. 25.-2:15 D. III
m.-The announcement that the Ask
old and Grozovoi had been disarmed
at Shanghai came as no surprise here
since the responsible authorities de-
cided a week ago. as stated in the
Associated Press dispatches, to follow
this course. Russia was only waiting
for a definite agreement between
China and Japan which would insure
the protection of the ships against a
repetition of the Ryeshitelni incident
at Chefoo. After the flags of the
Askold and Grozovoi had been hauled
down their guns were dismantled.
Size of Japanese Armies.
Lao Yang. Aug. 25.-At the Russian
headquarters here General Kurokis
army is estimated at 100 900 men, Cen
eral Nodzu's force at 20, 900 and General
Oku's at 10000. This is exclusive of
two divisions, of about &c. 900 men, NOV
ing upon the right bank of the Lao
river.
According to the Chinese. the Jap
snese ave converted the branch rail-
nlav nm New Cnang to Tashichao in |