The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-04-02
AMERICAN DIPLOMAT
At ST, PETERSBURG.
ON DELICATE GROUND
Mccormick Aids the Japa-
nese in Difficulties in
the Cars Capital.

ST. PETERSBURG. April I, $3.50
ergetically looking after Japanese in
terests. ambassador McCormick's task
is extremely delicate, but happily his
excellent personal relations with For
eign Minister Lamsdorf and the other
Ministers, and the high esteem in
to prevent the slightest friction. All
his requests in behalf of Japan have
been met in the best spirit.
His latest representations were re-
garding the transportation home Of the
japanese refugees. on the. island OF
Saghalien, who to the number of 800
have been waiting, with the Japanese
Consul and consular staff, for an OPP
portunity to return to Japan. AL
though the matter represents some diff
culties, it has met with a. favorable
response. Russia will grant Japans
request and. the refugees probably will
be brought to the Siberian coast and
thence dispatched by a neutral ship
which will be arranged for by Mr.. Nc
'Cormick
The ambassador. is now taking steps
to send forty.eight Japanese at Chita
to- Berlin. and he has received from the
Japanese Minister at Berlin a warm
letter of thanks for the assistance af-
| forded the twelve refugees sent by. Mr.
Mccormick. in Berlin ten days ago.
A letter from the island of Saghalier
says that 500 time- expired convicts
have. been enrolled for the defense Of
- ell 20 he I1ax e
return to Russia after the war as q
reoompense for. their services. -
Admiral Skryaloff. commander OF
the Black Sea fleet, who. commanded
the Pacific squadron for four years, III
an interview just, published paid a
high tribute to the seamanship, nerve
and pluck Of the Japanese. He de-
ciared their attack before the declara-
ton of war was quite. characteristic
Personally, he held the opinion long
before the rupture that the. japanese
had determined on war and only con
tinued the negotiations while it.setveo
their purpose, but MO amount of con
cessions would have prevented war
They hungered for revenge because
the Russians stopped Japan's prog
resS after the Chinese-Japanese War
| Admiral Skrydloff. considers the I'LL
innate victory of Russia to be certain
denominating this as a patriotic: ma
tional war, and adding:
Japan put her fate as a power or
| "a single card. 1t is our duty to de
! termine the position she. is to hold ii
the Far East"
Tfle admiral considers that only thu
first attack on Port Arthur was seri
Gus. The, other attacks and lombard
ments were for the purpose of keep
ing the .squadronin Port. Arthur whfl,
a..landing is. effected in Korea Or else.
where. He. considers Port Arthur inn
pregnahle, of which he. believes tn,
Japanese are CONVINCED. and declares
| that Admiral Makareff's fleet later OIL
will play an important role. But: 70;
the present and for. some months tn,
scene will be on land. While the ad
mirai. does not say. so, it-is apparen
that .Makar3ofr is considering the ar
rival of the Baltic feet i'll tn
autumn: While. he says. the Blacl
Sea fleet is only preparing for the Gus
tonary :,maneivers. Admiral Skrydlof
l adds -; ::
but we are ready for. anything"