THE WAR IN THE ORIENT

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 5, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 39.

THE WAR IN THE ORIENT.

SINCE the reports of last week, there has been no important battle fought, tho there have been many minor engagements between the outposts, and some flanking movements have been made by the Japanese. At Da Pass, the Japanese army, which has been pressing the retreating Russians, is reported to have been repulsed with heavy loss in two different assaults. In attacking this pass, they were attempting to turn the flank of the Russian army, which is now centered in the vicinity of Mukden. It is admitted to be in the plan of the Japanese campaign to capture Mukden, Harbin, and Vladivostock, and thus shut Russia entirely away from the sea. The Russian penal colony of Saghalin is also one of the Japanese objectives.

The Russians are said to be making great preparations for a stubborn battle at Mukden. The Russian general is not willing to suffer the loss of prestige which would result from an abandonment of this place. General Kuroki is reported to be moving on the Russian position with a very strong force, and another great battle is imminent.

The Japanese bombardments of Port Arthur continue unabated, and for several days a terrible series of assaults was kept up. No particulars of these attacks have been allowed to pass the military censor; but it is believed that the attacking parties have suffered greatly. Of what is taking place inside the besieged town but little is actually known. The Japanese have been attempting to capture the redoubt protecting the Port Arthur waterworks; but all their attacks have been repulsed with loss. Notwithstanding the stubborn defense of the Russians, the Japanese are reported to have captured two more of the important forts around Port Arthur.

In regard to the continuance of the war, there is not so much heard now of international influence to bring it to a close as in weeks past. Russian officials declare that the war will continue until Russia wears out Japan; but men who are in position to speak for Japan declare that Russia will never be able to accomplish that; that Japan can hold out indefinitely. No one can say when the terrible business will be done.