p. 10 | THE WAR IN THE ORIENT

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 13, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 28.

THE WAR IN THE ORIENT.

AUTHENTIC information from the seat of war is as scarce as at any time since the beginning of hostilities, and the reports that are printed concerning operations there are very contradictory. The Russians now flatly deny the loss of any vessels in the engagements reported last week between the fleets at Port Arthur. The Russian Vladivostock fleet has made another sortie, and the Japanese fleet under Kamimura has been seeking during the week to engage it. The two fleets were once in contact, but the Russians are reported to have slipped away in the darkness during a rainstorm. Another engagement between the two fleets at Port Arthur is reported, but no details have been given out. Two of the forts farthest from Port Arthur in that line of defense have been taken by the Japanese, with considerable loss on both sides.

In the land operations the two Japanese armies have not yet affected a combination. One report indicates that Kuropatkin is withdrawing to the north, leaving small detachments to harry the Japanese in their advance. Other reports indicate that the Japanese are retiring, evacuating some positions which they won from the Russians after severe fighting. The rainy season is now on, and will continue for about six weeks. Some predict that there will be no notable operations during this time on land. Reports from Russian sources state that the Japanese are in sore straits through lack of provisions and ammunition. At Dalin the Russians are said to have inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese, who were unable to take the positions which they assailed and lost positions which they occupied. It is felt that a decisive engagement may not be fought for several weeks yet.