THE WAR IN THE ORIENT

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 7, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 36.

THE WAR IN THE ORIENT.

It is not yet determined just how many ships were lost in the naval engagements reported last week; but every one of the Russian cruisers and battleships that escaped were badly damaged with shot and shell. The whereabouts of several is still undetermined, and the Japanese claim that certain of these have been sunk. The three cruisers of the Vladivostok squadron that escaped after the engagement with Admiral Kamimura’s fleet were in a terribly shattered condition when the Japanese gave up the chase. The Russian cruisers that escaped back to Port Arthur after the meeting with Admiral Togo’s fleet attempted another sortie and an engagement followed, the result of which has not been given out.

Japan still refuses to give up the Russian torpedo-boat destroyer captured in the Chinese port of Chefoo, tho she has been advised by England to do so or make apology for the act. Japan is reported to have delivered practically an ultimatum to China, threatening to take action herself unless China shall order the Russian war-ships at Shanghai to leave port at once. Both Russia and Japan are now accusing China of not enforcing her neutrality, and it is possible that complications may arise between the powers in case Japan takes matters into her own hands at Chinese ports, where Russian ships are now finding refuge.

The Emperor of Japan has formally demanded the surrender of Port Arthur. The demand was accompanied with an offer for the safety of noncombatants in case the Russian commander would permit them to leave the city before the final assault. The Russian commander has indignantly refused to surrender, and will not permit the noncombatants to leave. The final assault is reported to be now in progress, and shells are falling in all parts of the fortifications. Great fires have been caused in various parts of the city by the exploding shells. The Japanese are reported to have suffered great losses in assaults on the different fortifications. According to last reports, all the outer fortifications are in the hands of the Japanese.

There have been no further serious engagements in the north, and the Japanese armies facing General Kuropatkin are evidently waiting for the fall of Port Arthur before pressing matters there. It is reported that one of these Japanese armies is executing a great flanking movement against General Kuropatkin’s position.