Newspaper Page Text
tU^c
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Fayetteville News.
VOL. XVI
FAYETTEVILLE. GA.. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 12. 1904.
; Three Battleships
f of Business by
of Czar Put Out
Torpedo Boats.
A NAVAL BATTLE ON
Port Arthur Bombarded by
Ny Japanese Cruisers and
if ' More Damage Inflicted.
T v
' World Amazed at
Daring Japs.
Advices from Che Foo state that
the Japanese fleet attacked Port Ar
thur at midnight on Monday. Two
Russian battle ships and one Russian
cruiser were disabled by torpedoes.
The battle was continued Tuesday
morning at a range of three miles.
The steamer Columbia arrived at.
Che Foo from Port Arthur with addi
tional news of the attack by the Jap
anese fleet upon the Russian fleet
1n the roads outside of the harbor of
Port Arthur.
The Columbia was in the roads at
the time and felt the first shock of
a torpedo explosion at 11 o'clock Mon
day night. The attack continued all
night, and at daylight Tuesday morn
ing two Russian battle ships and one
first-class cruiser were seen to have
been disabled and beached at the
entrance of the harbor. The cruisers
were badly listed to one side.
Tuesday morning the Russian
fleets opened fire on the Japanese
fleet, which was about three miles
distant. The Japanese vessels return
ed the fire, hitting several of the Rus-
, sian ships, but doing little damage.
/The Russian cruisers then went out,
And the Japanese vessels disappeared.
' They were seen later on in the direc
tion of Dalny, apparently undamaged,
although the officers of the Columbia
say there wore seventeen in the at
tacking party, and only Sixteen were
seen later in the day by the steamer
Foo Chow.
The battle ships disabled Tuesday
are Poltava and the Czarevitch. T.ie
' disabled armored cruiser Boyarim
and the grounded battle ships block
the entrance to the harbor, prevent
ing gunboats from going out, and bat
tle ships and cruisers from going in
and getting coal. Besides this, Ja
pan has the Russian gunboats Variag
and Korez caught at Chemulpo. They
were bound for Vladivostock.
In a dispatch received in London
from Tien-Tsln, dated February 9, a
‘■correspondent of The Daily Mail says
it fit-reported there that tho Russian
L
crulsel's Variag and Korietz hauled
down their flags without firing a shot,
and tiiat 8,000 Japanese immediately
landed at Chemulpo and the march
to Seoul was commenced.
Circling About Russian Foes.
When seen by the steamer Foo
Chow Tuesday morning, the fast
Japanese cruisers' were circling in a
radius of six miles. No torpedo hj>ats
were seen, and it is probable tiiai
' -they left the vicinity after the torpedo
attack of Monday night. The Russian
fleet outside of the harbor consisted
of the battle ships Petropaulovsk,
flagship; Pereswet, sub-flagship; Po-
bieda, Poltava, Czarevitch, Retvizan
and Sebastopol, and the cruisers No-
vik, Boyarin, Bayaru, Gianu, Palada,
Askold and Angara. The disabled
battle ships are inside Forts Huan
Ching Shan and Chi Kwan Shan.
(, Alexieff Admits Defeat.
Admiral Alexieff’s official report of
the attack by the Japanese was as fol
lows:
“I most respectfully inform your
majesty that at or about midnight of
February 8-9 Japanese torpedo boats
made a sudden attack by means of
mines upon the Russian squadron in
the outer roads of the fortress of Port
Arthur, in which the battleships Ret
vizan and Czarevitch and the cruiser
Pallada were damaged. An inspec
tion is being made to ascertain the
character of the damage. Details are
following for your majesty.''
Plucky Japs Applauded.
Naval men in London regard the
result of Japan’s first attack with tor
pedo boats on the Russian fleet off
Port Arthur as staggering. They
point out that Viceroy Alexieff’s ref
erence to “mines” obviously meant
“torpedoes” and said that if the Rus
sian vessels had been struck by
“whitehead” torpedoes, they probably
have been sunk or are resting on i”ie
mud in Port Arthur; in any case hope
lessly out of action for a considerable
time.
In Paris the news of the first Jap
anese attack with torpedo boats on
the Russian fleet off Port Arthur crea
ted consternation. The officials of the
foreign office wore among the first to
receive the information, and their ad
vices wore similar to those of the St.
Petersburg Official Gazette, showing
that two Russian battleships and one
cruiser were damaged and also show
ing that four torpedo boat3 made the
attack.
Daring Deed, Say Germans.
Japan’s initial success in the first
attack with torpedo boats on the Rus
sian fleet off Port Arthur produced a
deep impression both on the people
and military, and navy critics in Ber
lin. Groups gathered around the dis
tributors of the "extras” in the streets
and read the news almost with excla
mations of gladness.
The comment at the marine dtpart-
ment was that even the temporary
disablement of three warships placed
the Russians at a great disadvantage
in the future operations. 7t was add
ed that the torpedoing of the enemy’s
vessels lying under powerful land bat
teries must have been carried out. dar
ingly and skillfully.
As Viceroy Alexieff did not mention
any Japanese losses in his first dis
patch the common talk of the naval
officers was that the Japanese have
shown that they can handle their war
ships better than the Russians.
Port Arthur Bombarded.
A second telegram was received at
St. Petersburg from Viceroy Alexieff,
dated February 9, saying;
“A Japanese squadron of fifteen bat
tleships and cruisers today began to
bombard Port Arthur. The fortress
replied and the squadron weighed an
chor in order to participate in the
battle.”
A third telegram from the viceroy
says that after the bombardment last
ing one hour, the Japanese squadron
ceased its fire and steamed southward.
“Our losses,” the viceroy continues,
“are two naval officers and HTty-oue
men wounded and nine men killed,
and on the coast batteries, one man
killed and three wounded.
“During the engagement the battle
ship Poltava and the cruisers Diana,
Askold and Novic were each damaged
on the water line. The damage to the
fortress was not important.”
France to Remain Neutral.
At a conference of ministers held
at the Elysee palace at Paris Tuesday
under the presidency of M. Loubct,
Foreign Minister Delc.asse communi
cated the news of the first Japanese
attack and announced that the French
minister at Tokio had been instructed
to assure the protection ot Russian
subjects and their interests in Japan.
The attitude of the French govern
ment in view of the war is now defin
itely determined upon. I-'ranch will
maintain neutrality under any and all
circumstances, the Franco-Russian al
liance being construed as not requir
ing France to intervene in behalf of
Russia even should Great Britain or
any third power intervene in L'ehalf
of Japan.
RUSSIA SEEKS INTERVENTION.
Is Now Willing to Concede Every
thing, But is Too Late.
The Japanese minister at London.
Baron Hayashi, is quoted as saying:
"Russia is making desperate efforts
through the various embassies, to have
the powers intervene. Russia is now
willing to concede everything, but the
offer comes too iato.”
Baron Hayashi added: “i learn on
good authority that the reply Russia
intended to send merely reiterated all
the cardinal points to which Japan
consistently objected.”
RUSSIAN WOMEN VOLUNTEER.
Many in Moscow are Anxious to Go
to the Front as Nurses.
Advices from Moscow staui that, the
|i> „ Muscovites are animated by patriotic
sentiments which have been strength
ened by the actual outbreak of war.
V The local Red Cross Society is be
sieged by women of high and low de
gree, offering their services.
Prices on the Moscow stock ox
change are falling.
AMERICANS AID JAPANESE.
Many Yankee Gunners are Serving In
Navy of the Mikado.
A special from Savannah, Ga., says:
American gunners and engineers,
whose term of service have expired
in the United States navy are being
transported to Japan in great num
bers.
The exodus has been in progress
for some time past in a quiet way, the
result being that the Japanese navy
has secured many of the finest, gun
ners in the world, and these at high
prices.
Low Rates Louisiana and Texas Points
For New Orleans Mardi Gras visitors.
February 17, 18 and 19th the Texas
and Pacific railway will sell tickets
from New Orleans to points in Louisi
ana and Texas, as far West as Ft.
Worth, at rate of one fare for the
round trip, good to return until March
4, 1904. For rates and other informa
tion, call on O. B. Webb, Passenger
and Ticket Agent, St Charles Hotel,
New Orleans.
GEORGIA NEWS
Epitomized Items of Interest
Gathered at Random.
Hay Leaver, Thomasville.
Secretary Hay left Thomasville last
Saturday morning at G o’cock via the
Atlantic Coast Line to resume his du
ties in Washington. The secretary
prnounces the climate of Thomasviiie
second to none in the souui.. His
health is greatly improved by his stay
among the pines.
Sanitarium for Hawkinsvillo.
A movement is on foot to establish
in Hawkinsville a modern, first-class
sanitarium by a certain well known
physicians of Pulaski county. The
sanitarium will he fitted up with elec
trical and modern appliances and will
prove a boon to the people of this
section and to Hawkinsville.
Inspection Orders Issued.
General orders No. 2, relating to the
coming annual inspection of state
troops, have been issued from the of
fice of Adjutant General S. W. Harris.
These orders call attention to the de
tail of Major F. H. French, of the Six
teenth infantry, to inspect the Georgia
troops, and his inspection will be made
at the same time as that by Colonel
W. G. Obear, inspector general.
Fruit Growers to Meet.
The Fruit Growers' Association of
the state will meet in Valdosta Febru
ary 18-19,
It Is expected that the session will
be one of the largest attended in the
history of the organization. Rates of
ono and one-third faro have been
granted on ail the railroads. The com
mittee is already busy preparing for
them and the growers are getting their
orchards into first-class order for in
spection.
Little “Georgia Magnet” Arrested.
Annie Abbott, the “Georgia Mag
net,” and heroine in a number of sen
sational episodes, has been under ar
rest in New York city, where she is
appearing at a theatre in a vaudeville
turn. The “Georgia Magnet” is
charged with purloining jewels to the
value of $12,000 from Mrs. F. C. Bay-
ler, of Waterhury, Conn., the homo of
the watches. Her manager, Theodore
N Abbott, also well known in Georgia,
was arrested at the same time. Beth
have been released on bond.
More Money ijs Needed.
If Georgia is to have a building at
the coming St. Louis exposition, such
as has been proposed, considerably
more money than has already been
subscribed will have to be saised.
This fact is developed in a report
macle a day or two ago to Governor
Terrell by the active members of the
Georgia commission for the Louisiana
Purchase exposition. This report shows
that less than $9,009 has been sub
scribed so far, while nearly $30,000 is
needed to carry out the plans in view.
Tho subscriptions up to the present,
time have cofne practically altogether
from the southern part of the state,
with the exception of ono or two from
middle Georgia.
Call to Democratic Committee.
The state democratic executive com
mittee has been called by Chairman E.
T. Brown to meet in Atlanta on Mon
day, February 29, at 11 o'clock a. m.
The date of the meeting is compara
tively an early one. Two years ago
the committee met on March 29, a
month later, and in 1900 I he meeting
was held March 17.
When asked about the date Chair
man Btawn said:
“Everybody seems anxious to know
when the committee is going to fix the
date for the primary, and there ap
pears to he no reason why the matter
should not be settled without any great
delay.
“But my particular reason for select
ing February 29 for the meeting of
the committee is that it is the fifth
Monday in the month, a date on which
it will be more convenient for most of
tho out-of-town members to bo present,
because there are usually no courts
fixed for that day.”
Pulaski Farmers Plant Tobacco.
The culture of tobacco on a large
scale has begun in Pulaski county. J.
T. Jones, who lives a few miles south
of Hawkinsville, is now preparing to
plant 6 or 8 acres of the weed. He
has already sown his bed of the long
leaf variety.
Mr. Jones has interested with him
in this project nn experienced tobacco
raiser from North Carolina, who expe
rimented very successfully on Pulaski
county lands last year. Mr. Jones says
he enn clear more money on eigth
acres of tobacco at less expense than
he can on fifteen acres of cotton at
10 cents average.
Other farmers around him also an
nounce their intention of taking up
the tobacco culture at once.
Wants Change in Law.
Governor Terrell will, in his next
message to tho general assembly rec
ommend that some provision be made
for legislators to serve during tho in
terim which exists between October
and June, becauso If there should be
nn extra session of the legislature, or
If the governor should die between Oc
tober, when the elections are held, and
next June, when the general assembly
meets, there would lie no ono to take
the governor's place.
The constitution of the sltite, in par
agraph 1, section 4, article 2. says:
“Members of the general assembly
shall be elected for a term of two
years and shall serve until their suc
cessors are elected.”
If the leg'slaluro adjourns in June
and their successors elected next Oc
tober, then the- members ot the pres
ent legislature, according to the con
stitution, are out of office. If the gov
ernor should die between October and
June, under present conditions there
would he no successor, as the presi
dent of the senate would no longer be
president for reason that his term as
senator expired when his successor as
senator was chosen at the general elec
tion.
"Cunjer” Doctor Gave Arsenic.
After making a thorough analysis of
the stomach of Sarah Mann, a negress
of Ellington, Clayton county, suspected
of having been poisoned, Dr. Edgar
Everhart, of the Southern College of
Pharmacy, of Atlanta, has reported to
the authorities there that unmistaka
ble traces of arsenic had been discov
ered.
Charles Mann, the husband of tha
deceased, Bob Middlebrook and George
Shaw, all negroes, have been held in
the Clayton county jail awaiting the
result of the investigation. The Mann
woman died a few days ago under sus
picious circumstances, and the coronet
insisted upon an investigation and sent
the body to Dr .Everhart for analysis.
According to report, Mann and Mid
dlebrook were suspected of having in
duced Shaw, who poses as a sort of
negro “conjure” doctor, to poison the
Mann woman. It also seems that
Shaw had been suspected of similar
practice on former occasions.
The story told by the negroes is
that the woman was suffering from
some kind of pain, and the conjure
doctor gave her a drink of whisky. Her
death followed in a few Hours. In tho
qualitative analysis that followed un
mistakable signs of arsenic poisoning
were found, and the charge of murder
against the three negroes is expected
to follow. Otherwise the stomach was
found to be in a normal condition.
Does Not Affect Georgia.
The decision of the supreme court of
the United States in the r . f-j of South
Dakota vs. North Carolina, where it is
held that the bonds of Norlh Carolina
must be paid by that state will have no
effect on the bonds which the state of
Georgia repudiated about twenty years
When the announcement ot the de
cision was made it was understood
that Georgia could be made liable and
forced to pay the bonds which had
been repudiated by the Georgia legis
lature.
In the North Carolina case the state
was owner of a majority of the stock
in the North. Carolina railroad, which
stock had been pledged as security for
bonds issued. The people buying the
bonds presented ten of them to the
state of South Dakota to be used for
educational purposes, and South Da
kota filed suit in the United States
court to collect the money for the
bonds, the North Carolina officials
claiming that they had never been
asked to pay for them.
The supreme court held in Us de
cision that the railroad could be sold
to pay for the bonds. Governor Ter
rell states that the decision would not
apply to Georgia, because the sover
eignty of the state was involved when
it repudiated its bonds years ago,
while the state of North Carolina ot\n-
ed a controlling interest in the rail
road which had issued the bonds. 1 he
bonds repudiated by Georgia were not
secured by any personal property of
tho state.
A Graded Course of Study.
State School Commissioner W. B.
Merritt has just sent out a graded
course of study for the common
schools of Georgia, based upon the
books recently adopted for use in
the schools. The commissioner has
done his work well. The course is
well graded, the requirements for each
year being well balanced and the
subjects properly correlated. The
work for a first reader pupil is clearly
outlined so that every teacher in the
state will know what tho pupils of
this grade must be studying in read
ing, spelling, language, writing num
bers and nature study. Each reader
with the corresponding work in other
subjects is indicated. The course ex
tends through seven years of nine
months. In schools ot shorter terms
the time will-be longer, though the
course will be tne same. It is thus ad
justed to any and •'!! schools. One of
these programs or courses of study
will be sent to every teacher in tha
stato to be posted on the school wall
as a guide to teachers and patrons and
children. If faithfully carried out it
will systematize the work of tho school
room and the instruction of the chil
dren, so that each child will have a
well rounded education as far as he
goes. The language, history, arithme
tic, spelling, writing and geography
work will be carried along together
There will be no neglecting of any of
these essential studies for any one ot
them or for any fad or frill. The child
can thus pass easily from school tc
school or from teacher to teacher
without loss of time or repetition of
studies rt becomes a guide to each
teacher in tho use of the new text
books and in the organizat'on of tho
classes. It will enable county school
commissioners to inspect the schools
to better advantage and examine th?
work of any grade in his several
schools. It will enable the state
school commissioner to prepare tests
for the grades all over the state ami
compare the work of the several coun
ties. It -**111 bring order into the
school work. It is hoped that every
commissioner and teacher will put the
new course of study into immadia’e
operation. Following this outline
course of study will come during the
year a full syllaous describing in do
tail the work, each subject for each
grade, with touching suggestions, sup
plemental work—in short, a school
room guide. This is now being pre
pared by Mr. Merritt, and he hopes c
have it ready for use in the surnmei
institutes.—J. S. Stewart, of State
University.
LIKE A TOBOGGAN SLIDE,
Price of Cotton Tumbles In New Or
leans—war Rumors Caused Reign
of Pandemonium.
About the worst brea kin the his
tory of cotton future trading in New
Orleans happened Thursday. On the
most absurd and vague of war rumors
prices were sent down until they were
from 166 to 180 points lower than the
close of Wednesday, and May was $9
a bale cheaper. In former times such
a break would have been attended
with a score of failures, but at the
close there was little or no excitement
about the cotton exchange and no fear
was expressed that any of the local
cotton firms would go to the wall.
The day’s t/ading saw many sepa
rate and distinct breaks. At the open
ing prices broke sharply, March going
off 106 points from Wednesday’s close
to 15.50. Prominent bulls supported
the market and prices recovered.
Toward noon the market became
quiet and uninteresting, and the gen
eral opinion was tnat the trend of
prices would continue upward.
Soon after the noon hour and while
many brokers were out at lunch a tele
gram was received from Chicago by a
wire house saying that cables had
had been received there telling of the
declaration of war between Japan and
Russia. Values commenced to slide
swiftly downward, and in five minutes'
time the ring was in a pnnic. Traders
and brokers who a few minutes before
appeared to be the sanest and calmest
of men, suddenly became crazy in
tneir efforts to sell either their own
or their customers’ cotton. The gen
eral desire was to sell a,nd get out, no
matter what, price the cotton offered
for sale brought. The combination
pit and ring at the cotton exchange
was an ampitheatre of struggling, yell
ing humanity wild with anxiety and
their fears appeared to be all the
greater because they were not exactly
aware of what they were afraid of
Hats were smashed and coat’s were
ripped, but still the nrokers labors!
in their attempts to dispose of their
cotton. Hundreds cf thousands of
bales of ‘'speculative” cotton were
thrown into the ring, and tho sellers
exceeded buyers teu to one. The low
er prices went, the more frantic the
rin gbeeame, and the more selling or
ders were received from the country
which was just beginning to lear» ot
the panic at the exchange. The space
in the center of the ring where a
fountain plays in summer became fill
ed with stools and chairs, kicked there
by brokers in their ma-1 efforts to get
nearer the center of the pit so they
might stand a better chance of selling
their contracts.
This mad scene lasted until well on
toward the close of the market, when
the ring finally had % soulout appear-
S0IVIE FACTS AND FIGURES TIES ARE SEVERED
Regarding Russia and Japan, Area of
Territory, Finances and Strength
of Their Fighting Forces.
GEORGIA IN SIXTH PLACE.
According to Census cf State Troops
Made by Assistant Adjutant General.
According to a recent census ot
Georgia state troops made under the
direction of Assistant Adjutant Gener
al A. J. Scott, the state ranks sixth
in tne United States in the number
of men in the service, the total being
4,6S4, officers and men. New York
comes first. Pennsylvania second,
Massachusetts third. Ohio fourth, Illi
nois fifth and Georgia sixth.
This showing is regarded as a re
markable one, in view of the fact that
the population of the north is far
greater than that in the south, and
the interest in the military affairs
thero is gnraeelly SHRD SHRD DL
there is generally more than in the
southern section.
One hundred and fifteen thousand
dollars was spent by the state last
year on the Georgia troops. Forty-
eight thousand dollars in cash was
spent, $20,000 appropriated by tha
stato, and $28,000, which was given
the state by tho United States govern
ment under the provisions of the Dick
bill for the purpose of encampment.
The remaining amount came from the
government in the shape of arms,
uniforms and other equipment.
The area of the Russia empire, in
cluding Manchurna, is 9,200,000 square
miles, so that it comes next to the
Brif.’sh empire in extent among the
groat powers. The population is 135,-
000,000, including Manchuria. The
revenue is £207,000,000 ($1,033,000,-
000), and expenditures the same.
There are large reserve funds in the
treasury, on paper, at. all events, to
talling about £50,000.000, while the
sum of £92.000,000 is kept in gold in
the state bank. The treasure of the
church, which is said to be worth
£ 100,000,000 or even more, could oe
utilized in any great national emer
gency.
The area of Japan is 160,000 square
miles, including Formosa, or one-
third larger than the area of the Uni
ted Kingdom. Her population is great
er than that of the United Kingdom,
standing at 45,000,000 in 1900 and is
increasing at the rate of 500,000 an
nually. Her revenue and expenditures
are each £27.30^,000, and she has re
serve funds for war totalling about
£10,000,000, or rather more, available
only in a great national emergency.
Railways.
In Korea a line is being constructed
by the Japanese from Fusan (Masam-
pho) to Seoul, and another from Che
mulpo to Seoul is open.
There is a good railway system in
Japan, connecting the chief towns.
There are railways connecting (1)
Port Arthur with Moscow; (2) a
branch from this line to Vladivostock:
(3) another branch running via Niti-
ehwang to Pekin.
Armies.
The Russian army is recruited by
compulsory service, and on a war foot
ing can dispose of 5,000,000 trained
men. But only a small part of this
army is available in the Far East,
since the question of supplies has to
be kept in mind. The war strength
of the Russian army in Asia is 239,000
men. In the Far East the Russians
are believed to have a force of about
200,000 men, 40,000 of whom are Cos
sacks. or mounted infantry. In Port
Arthur is a, garrison of 30,000 men.
The army under Admiral Alexieff can
he reinforced from Europe by the Si
berian railway at the rate of about
4,000 men per day, but it is not cer
tain that such a rate could be long
maintained. T*wo army corps are
stated to be on. their way from Euro
peaen Russia to tne Far East, and
their strength may he taken together
at 6S.000 men.
The Japanese army has a tota!
strength of ,500,000 trained men. ot
whom 252,000 men with 79S guns form
the field armj, organized in thirteen
divisions. It. is recruited by compul
sory service. Its great weakness lies
in the paucity of its cavalry, as this
arm only numbers seventeen regiments
and 10,000 men. This weakness is
compensated to some extent by the ex
traordinary marching power and mo
bility of the infantry.
Navies.
Ja^ppan has the predominance in nav
al forte. Her fleet consists of the fol
lowing important fighting ships: 6
large battle sTiips, G modern and very
powerful armoured cruisers, 16 other
powerful cruisers, 17 destroyers and
torpedo gunboats, 60 torpedo boats,
There are two old armored ships,
useful in the second line.
The whole of the above force is
mobilized and ready for service. It
is recruited and commanded by Vice
Admiral Togo.
The Russian fleet is weaker. Its
important ships are:
At Port Arthur—7 battle ships, 1
modern armored cruiser, 6 protected
cruisers, 20 destroyers and torepedo
boats.
At Vladivostock—1 modern armored
cruiser, 3 other cruisers, 10 destroyers
and torpedo boats.
Korea.
Korea, the bone of contention, is a
small state, with an area of 82,000
square miles and a population of 5.-
600,000. It is governed by an emperor
and is nominally independent, but for
ten years a struggle has been in pro
gress between the Japanese and Rus
sians as to who shall be the real mas
ter of it. The Japanese have the right
of maintaining a force of 1,000 men
to protect the telegraphs there, which
are their property. The Russians
have obtained concessions in the north
on the banks of the Yalu, and are re
ported to have fortified Yongampho.
The strategic importance if Korea
is great. The country is only 115
miles from Japan; from it Japan draws
a great part of her food sypply, and to
it sho sends her surplus population.
Diplomatic Relations of Jap
and Russ Broken Off.
IS FIRST STEP TO WAR
Russia Alleges Surprise at Disruption,
and Tries to Lay All Blame on
Japan—Crucial Moment
Comes.
A special from St. Petersburg, undo*
Sunday’s date, says: It is officially
announced that Couni Lamsdorff, the
Russian foreign minister, has informed
Russian representatives abroad that
Japan lias decided to break off negotia
tions with Russia and to withdraw her
minister and the entire legation staff
from St. Petersburg, and that upon the
receipt of a note to this effect from
the Japanese minister Russia had or
dered her minister, Baron de Rosen,
and the legation staff to leave Tokio.
In notifying Russia’s representatives
abroad of Japan's action in breaking
off negotiations, Count Lamsdorff says,
in concluding his telegram:
"Such attitude on the part of the
Tokio government, which has not
even awaited the arrival of the answer
of the imperial government, which was
sent off during the last few days,
throws the whole responsibility for
the consequences which may arise
from a rupture of diplomatic negotia
tions between the two empires on
Japan.”
In a general way the Russian posi
tion is understood to be that Russia,
while making concessions, declined to
yield on the four following points:
First—Japan's right io ask for a
treaty covering the sovereignty o£
Manchuria.
Second—She insisted upon mutual
recognition of the independence ot
Korea.
Third—That there should he no for
tification of southern Korea which
might threaten Russian Communica
tions with Pert Arthur and Vladivos
tock; and
Fourth—She declined to meet Ja
pan's wishes with regard to neutral
zone on both sides of the \ niu river.
The news of the breaking off of dip
lomatic relations between Russia and
Japan was spread far and wide
throughout the capital by extra bulle
tins of the papers. Much excitement
was created, and tlm resulted in pa
triotic demonstrations.
A Step Toward War.
A special from Tokio. Japan, says:
The severance of diplomatic relations
between Russia and Japan appears to
be only a step toward war. although
when the ministers of Russia and Ja
pan withdraw from their respective
posts quick and decisive action is ex
pected.
When Minister of Fore’gn Affairs
Komura, on Saturday notified Baron
De Rosen, the Russian minister, of
Japan's determination to sever diplo
matic relations, he is reported to have
declared to him that “Japan’ is tired
of Russia's delays, evasions and insin
cerity, and has decided to take inde
pendent action for the conservation of
Japan’s Oriental interests.”
“PEACE BE TO THIS HOUSE.”
Members of Dowie Mission at Chatta
nooga Visit Homes of Citizens.
The Dowie hosts are verv active m
Chattanooga and the various repre
sentatives have visited hundreds of
homes and greeted the residents with
the salvo: “Peace be to this house.”
They have secured the aid of several
local people, there being a small Dow-
ieite cotonv in the city.
SCHOOLS SEEK STATE AID.
China Will be Neutral.
China, it is understood, has given
official assurance that she will imme
diately issue a declaration of neu
trality.
RUSSIAN TROOPS ON MARCH.
Scotland Yard furnishes statistics
which show that 34.000 persons were
lost in London last year, and much
tho same number in the preceding
year, making a total close on 70,000
for the new century.
Report Says that Six Thousand Will
Attempt to Land at Chemulpo.
A dispatch to Tho Central News
Agency, London, from Seoul, Korea,
says that about six thousand Russian
troops have sailed from Port Arthur
and will endeavor to land at Cifemul-
po, the port of Seoul.
Longer Terms Asked for Children in
North Carolina.
A special from Raleigh, N C., says:
Fifty-eight counties have asked the
state for aid in order to keep their
public schools open four months in
the year. The amounts allowed theso
range all the way from three hundred
to four thousand dollars.
BOLD GANG OF BURGLARS.
Torch and Guns Used In Robbery of
Home Near Phenix City, Ala.
After burglarizing tlx* homo of Sam
Waller, just west of Phenix City, Ala.,
early Friday night, robbers fired at
Mr. Waller and members of his fam
ily and then set Are to his house.
The kitchen and cook's house wero
burned, but the maiu dwelling wai
saved.
Investigation showed that the bur
glars had stolen a lot of silverware
and a watch from the house while iho
family was at supper.
KILLS STATE SOVEREIGNTY.
Opinion of North Carolina Officials Re-
gardlng Bond Decision.
North State officials, tn speaking of
the decision of the United States eu :
preme court in the case ot the suit by
South Dakota against North Carolina
Involving bon<s, gay they regard the
decision as a death blow to state sov
ereignty, and that this is Us most se
rious aspect.
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