New-York tribune., 1905-01-03
RUSSIA KEPT IGNORANT.
Ne5cs Of Fortress's Fall Suppressed
Radical Demonstration Feared.

Radical Demonstration Feared.
St Petersburg Jan. 3.-whne there is no
longer any doubt in official circles in St Peters
burg that the fate of Port Arthur has been de-
cided and General Stoessel's long and gallant
defence ended news Of the surrender has not
Yet been allowed reach the public Foreign
kilograms regarding the siege have been with
held from the newspapers pending the issue of
the official announcemenLhere. The government
Is following the dictates of its own judgment in
this course bat the public so far is entirely
unprepared for news which must prove serious
blow when it comes. The newspapers so far
merely intimate that the defence OF the fortress
IS proceeding as usual. but every one has real
lied for some time that the end was approaching
and there is no question but that the majority,
81 they We're prepared by a preliminary an
uouncement by the government. could forgive
the loss Of the fortress in admiration of the
gsrrison's heroic defence.
Possibly some OF the hesitation OF the au-
thorities here TO make the announcement Of the
fan Of Port Arthur is due 10 threats and ru-
Inors Of radical demonstrations. coupled with
tie absence of The Emperor. but it is certain
that no demonstration IS likely which could as
sumo serious proportions. and the radical lead
would be sure 10 ALLEVIATE the sympathy Of
many even Of the more liberal Russians If they
chose such moment for revolutionary demon
strati9n.
Il has been learned that the last telegram
sent by Emperor Nicholas to General StoesseI
gave 10 the commander OF the Port Arthur
forces discretionary powers, and urged him to
exercise them rather than allow the defence TO
80 10 the last ditch. This may account for the
apparently brief time required TO conclude the
negotiations between the Russian and japanese
commanders. no time having been occupied in
communicating with the Emperor. It is equally
certain that General Stoessel did not surrender
without previous authorization.
There IS much discussion relative TO Vice-Ad-
Eniral RoJestvenskys voyage 10 the Far East
81 is rumored that his squadron may be recalled
20 the Baltic 10 await reinforcements and pro-
need eastward next summer, when 1t win be
decidedly superior in strength TO Admiral Togo's
deet; but there is nothing authoritative to sup
port such report. The situation so far as
Vice-Admiral Rojestvensky is concerned is not
materially different from the time when the
Port Arthur squadron was first defeated. 1t
Is known that Admiral Rojestvensky had alter
native instructions when he sailed covering
such a contingency has now arisen. So far
as known. he has no intention Of altering his
plans owing TO General StoesseTs surrender
The situation in the immediate future may be
such as to necessitate the curtaiIing of the En-
St Petersburg, but the report that his pilot
train had been blown up is untrue. There have
been a number OF misheps TO freight and pas
senger trains, owing TO a blizzard prevailing in
South and Central Russia, during the last few
days One train was wrecked near AIinsk, and
this doubtless occasioned the rumor cabed TO
the United States that revolutionists had blown
Up the train preceding the royal train
While all is still conjecture here regarding the
proposed terms % the surrender Of Port Ar
thur, the feeling at the War Ofice is that in re-
turn for abandoning further resistance and sur
rendering the fortihcatons and guns General
Stoessel should receive the honors OF war and
De allowed with the garrison 10 return home on
parole No surprise was created by the report
that the ships IN the harbor had been blown up
The instructions that they should not be al
lowed TO fall into the hands Of the japanese were
imperative.
The Admiralty displays rcticence in regard 10
the purpose of the torpedo boat destroyers
which escaped from Che-Foo TO Tsing-Tau, but
there is reason TO believe that ARRANGEMENTS will
be made with the help OF colliers TO have them
tIy 70 proceed south TO join Admiral Roiestven-
skys squadron, but if the conditions are ad-
verse II is realized that th@v must be dfsarmed
IN view OF to-days neEJ from Port Arthur
pathetic interest attaches 10 a dispatch sent
by General Stoessei 10 Emperor Nicholas and
given out this afternoon. IL written on the
follows:
We are happy TO greet our sovereign and offer
our respectful homage to your imperial ma jesty
on on me occasion of your ns-ne day from Port Ar
tlUf' which We have now held for eleven months.
WIN the aid of God end your prayers. The
spirit or our warriors is magnificent. To-day
q parade the resoundilg hurrahs given in honor
or our tether the Czar testified TO how potent
Il TIE Influence OF vou- ma iesty's rule and our
traditional fidelity TO tAa Car, our father.