Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-03-16
alexandria 6azefff.
WEDNESDAY EVENING. MAR. IS. 1904
Will Not Evacuate Port Arthur.

VIII MOI hVdtudbS IoAV al eA~A
From the highest official quarter i'll
st. Petersburg information has been re-
ceiyed that there is absolutely no foun-
dation for the rumors persistently sent
out from Toxic that the Russians are
abandoning Port Arthur.
cit is the veriest nonsense" said one
official, Nothing has occurred there to
warrant such reports. The japanese
fleet has not been seen for 4S hours.
The motive of the government at Toxic
in spreadig this story is probably to in
fuence public feeling in Japan for the
purpose of creating enthusiasm while
war loan is being Aoated."
Another official said "Thls mere
statement carries its own Iefntation I'M
less we meant 10 beat an ignoble retreat
all along the line. If we abandon Port
Arthur we leave our feet there to be
doomed. 1t is too absurd to discuss.
A superstitious idea prevails in st.
Petersburg that General Kuropatkin
will signalize his birthday, which oc-
ours on March 80, and which is also his
patron saints day, with some important
act.
1t is strongly believed in Toxic that
the Russian feet abandoned Port Arthur
after the fourth attack was made upon
it by the japanese feet and is endeavor-
ing to reach Vladivostok. Confirmation
of this movement is not obtainable IRON
any reliable source. but recent scouting
in the vicinity of Port Arthur has failed
to reveal the presence of any Russian
warships.
1t seems logical enough that the Rus
SLAMS should attempt dash for Vladi-
yostok, where it is possible to dock larger
ships, effect a junction with their ar
mored cruiser squadron and secure base
for operations while possessing adequate
land defences. The hopelessness of con-
tinuing at Port Arthur is manifest, while
dash for Vladivostok might succeed,
contrary to the opinion previously ex-
pressed.
Vice Admiral Togo is unwilling to
run the risk OF dividing his battleship
squadron and continues to operate the
six battIeships together. If the Rus
slams should make an attempt to reach
Vladivostok it is believed they will try
dash through the Korean Straits rather
than enter the Japan Sea through the
Sugaru Straits.
kilograms from st. Petersburg to the
Paris press represent the rumor OF media
ton, which in one instance is called
"a feeler coming from Berlin" as find
ing no echo whatever in Russia. Indeed
one correspondent says any idea OF
foreign diplomatic Intervention is dis
tasteful to Russia now as it will be after
the war. A writer in yesterday even
ing's Temps says what Russia and
Japan want is not by any means assis-
lance during the struggle. 1t is that
nobody intervene after the struggle. In
other words, they want TO be allowed to
make peace by themselves, just as they
have been allowed to make war by them
selves. The same writer adds thrt he
has reason to believe that the friendly
relations between England and France
is regarded with satisfaction in st.
Petersburg, as it is expected that when
the hour for reckoning comes the Anglo
French rapprochement may prove adj
vantageous to Russian interests.
Official denial is given OF the report,
printed in Paris yesterday morning, that
exchanges of views are now going on
between Paris, London, and Washing
ton relative to offering mediation in the
far Eastern war. The foreign office
in Paris is not aware of such an exchange,
and considers that mediation is i'm
practicable, as neither party would con-
slider it.