The San Francisco call., 1904-03-28
INTERNAL MACHINES ABOARD
THE BROWN MEMS FIRE-SHlPS
Modern Merchant Graft Used in
Futile Attempt to Block
the HarbOr.

ST, PETERSBURG, March IA
late telegram to the Emperor from Vice
Admiral AIakaroff, relating to this
mornings victory. says:
i respectfully report that, the enemy
having withdrawn, I returned to the
harbOr with the feet.
The torpedo boat destroyer Slim,
which stranded on a reef in conse-
ouence of damage caused TO her en-
gines by one OF the enemy's shells,
was foated during the course Of the
night and entered the harbOr, thanks
TO the energy Of her crew. Her COM
mander, Lieutenant Krinizh, who was
slightly wounded in the arm, did not
quit his post
"On the fire sFips were internal ma
chimes, the wires connected with which
were cut. A floating mine was found,
bearing an internal machine, but the
latter was successfully removed.
.-The inspections made show that the
steamers Utilized as fire ships were not
old. TlNy were each Of about 1000 tons
and were armed with light caliber
guns"
ALEXIEFF SENDS REPORT.
Viceroy Alexief. in a dispatch to the
emperor from Mukden, says:
During an attack by the enemy's
ships on March q on the torpedo boat
Silni. one Of the latters steam pipes
end her stearing gear were damaged,
tfa consequence Of which she was beach
ed near Golden Hill, but since then she
has been rehoated. The number OF men
killed and wounded on the torpedo boat
has not yet been ascertained.
Shortly before 5:25 o'clock this
morning the enemy's torpedo boats
were sighted 10 the south Of Port Ar
hrrr he Har RI. ad FIRE on
them. Toward 6 o'clock the enemy's
squadron appeared on the horizon.
Thirty batteries on Tiger peninsula
opened fire and our fleet steamed out
OF the harbor the Bayan and the As
koid leading. and also fired at the
enemy. our fire, however, ceased in
view Of the great distance Of the
enemys squadron.
AT 9:15 o'clock our entire squadron
Sined UP in the rOadstead. The Japan
ese squadron drew off in a southeastern
direction. evidently in order to avoid
giving battle. and toward 10 o'clock it
disappeared below the horizon"
CAPTURES CHINESE REGULARS
on apparently reliable authority it is
asserted that Vice Admiral Makaroffs 5
report OF his reconnaissance Of the Ell
lott Islands yesterday contained the
startling statement that he had cap
tured a junk filled with Chinese regular
troops which was being towed by a
japanese gunboat.
A report from NladiNOstOk says that
mine has been discovered under the
fortress, with wires leading to a Chi
nese house in the town.
There is much discussion in diplO-
matte and official circles over the init
nation that Great Britain, through the
new French entente, is seeking to ad-
just heT differences with Russia. The
+ NOVOsti. which has long been the lead
ing exponent Of this idea, to-day edi-
torially contends that there is no real
conflict Of interests and that nothing
Gut an ingrained mutual distrust keeps
the two nations apart. The NovOsti
-&oes further IN proposing a European
coalition under the auspices of Russia,
France and Great Britain to combat
the yellow peril and says:
We have always maintained that
new tr4Dle alliance would assure the
balance Of power. not only in Europe,
but tlrough0ut the world
The NovOsti gives Emperor William
credit for the prophetic realization of
the yellow peril"
The article concludes by urging the
powers TO settle the Asiatic problem
once and for all by apportioning terri
tory.
CZARINA-S DEMOCRACY.
Although the Neva is still frozen over
ana lne trees are pare, the sun shines
and the Russian capital is rapidly as
suming its spring garb, and the roads
IN many places are clear of snow and
ice The ice in the Neva will go ont
within a fortnight.
The whole city is talking about the
recent midnight drive Of the Czarina
around the capital. She does not limit
her DerigrnatiOns to the Nevsk Pros
pect and fashionable thoroughfares. but
visits most Of the suburbs where the
appearance Of the imperial carriage
with its bemeoaled coachmen and re-
splendent COssack fOOtmen, creates
admiration. The police are purposely
not warned Of these expeditions. in
order TO avoid anv appearance of pre-
meditation The Empress is always ac-
ccmpanied by her eldest sister. Grand
Duchess Eliza beth. who is a high favor
lite with the Muscovites on account of
Der democratic ways.
The charming Grand Duchess Eliza
beth has succeeded in collecting enor-
nous sums froE7 wealthy Moscow for
the war fund.
The Cars attitude toward the people
is shown by the orders given to the
cOaenman who drives the imperial cniI-
dren. He has been instructed that he
must stop when he sees anybody de-
string TO present a petition When the
carriage is stopped little Grand Duchess
tsga arises, takes the petition. smiles
and brings the document home to her
father. While the heir-apparent was
driving the other day a man rushed up
holding out a petition. A policeman
seized him, but the heir to the throne
ordered the cOachman to halt rebuked
the policeman and accepted the peti-
tion.