The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-11
An Attempt Made to Set the New Vessel Niasin
 on Fire
ABOUT 100000 SOLDIERS
 NOW AT VLADWOSTOCK
Soldiers Are Pouring Into Manehurls and the Women and the Children Are Preparing to Leave
 Port Arthur.

Rome, January 10-The Itala says that Russian warships sighted between Genoa. and Spezzia yesterday are believed to be- spying on and following the Japanese cruisers Niasin and Kasaga, which left Genoa yesterday.
 It became known only today that some unknown persons had attempted to set the Niasin on fire by tampering with the electrical appliances. The police authori- ties have begun an inquiry into the mat ter.
 Many Troops at Viadvostock,
 St. Petersburg, January 1O-The most reliable news received here Is that the mass of Russian troops in the far east are concentrated at vIadivostock or on the northern frontier of Korea.
 A traveller who has lately returned from the far east estimated that between 100000 and 100000 soldiers were in the vicinity of Vladivostock. He surmised that the Russians will occupy northern Korea but thought the possible collision was not imminent for month or more when taken lnto consideration with distances and the difficulties of marching.
 Threat Against China.
 London, January 1O-The Tien Tsin cor- respondent of the Daily Mail says that inc Russian government has sentJt to the Chin csc government a threat that Russia would immediately occupy Pekin should China join forces with Japan. As a result the grand council has advised the throne to adopt position of neutrality.
 Causing Great Uneasiness.
 Pekin, January 10-Predictions in the native press that a war is inevitable and immediate and that China will certainly be involved, are causing great uneasiness Many Chinese fear a repetition of the scenes of pillage and murder which made the year 1900 memorable
 Numbers of the employees on the rail- road between New Chwang and Shan Hal Kwan have deserted their posts. thinking that the country traversed by the railroad will surely be the scene of the fighting
 Reports from Manchuria are 10 the ef- feet that there is great military activity there. The railroads are bringing troops from Russia, and the women and children at Port Arthur and New Chwang are pre- pairing to leave. The Russian general at New Chwang has been called to Port Arr thur for service. Every steamer for Ja- pan is carrying the Japanese from North China. who belong to the reserves.
 Germany VIII be Neutral.
 London, January 10.--It is learned by the Associated Press on the highest au- thority that 1t has been decided in the event of war between Russia and Japan, that Germany will maintain a strict neu- trality. and that other members of the Dreibund will observe a similar attitude.
 The importance of this decision which the Associated Press understands will be almost immediately announced in some official manner In Berlin. cannot be easily overestimated. It will in a meas ure. insure that hostilities will be con fined to the two powers concerned, and 1t will be certain to give great stimulus to the efforts which France and Great Britain are making in St. Petersburg and Tokio, respectively. In favor of peace.
 Manchuria Railways Are congested.
 Tien Tsin, January 10.--Russia has not yet carried out the expected military occupation of Shiming-Ting
 The Chinese railways in Manchuria are congested with traffic and especially the line to the Russian front.
 Must Sail Under Own Flag.
 St. Petersburg January 1O.-Comment- ing on the possibility of Japanese ves-
 
 Novoe vremia contends that the cus- tom of civilized states requires that war ships shall sail under their own na- tional flags, and adds:
 One can run away but not fight un- der a foreign flag. According to interna- tional law. the British flag has not the privilege of protecting all these towards who might hoist it.
 Referring to the interest of the United tafa In, ha cit says;
 Undoubtedly the United States above all other powers can confidently expect that its trade will not suffer by Russian possession of Manchuria, and It would be tactless on Americas part to demand now. what she could gain peacefully when everything quiets down" RUsslA's ATTITUDE
 FULLY EXPLAINED.
 Washington, January 10.-By an au- thority conversant with Russias posi- ton In the far east and her attitude toward American interests there, the As- sociated Press today was given this statement:
 Tn view of the wide circulation given reports without basis in fact charging Russia with hostility to American inter- ests in the far east. 1t seems expedient 'hae ene a.tituue oi RUSSIA 5houiu oe again defined.
 Russia has repeatedly expressed her intention of assisting the development of commercial interests in Manchuria, know ing that the China policy of the United States government Is guided merely by an aim to develop trade and not by poli- tical ambition. Russia has shown her good faith by refraining from any action which would endanger the conclusion of the American- Chinese commercial treaty signed on October G.
 That treaty has been ratified by the throne at Pekin and thus through the medium of the United States the impor- tant ports of Muken and Antung in Manchuria are opened to the commerce of the world. This Is the open door which has been part of American and Russian policy since the boxer outrages which necessitated the intervention of