THE WAR IN THE ORIENT

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 12, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 40.

THE WAR IN THE ORIENT.

The Japanese forces in northern Manchuria are reported to have begun a steady advance against the positions of General Kuropatkin’s army. In some of the minor engagements which generally precede the engagement of the greater forces, the Japanese are said to have been checked; but the bulk of the army continues to advance. The Russian troops are now confronted by a vast army of the Japanese, whose artillery force numbers 360 guns.

The difficulties of the winter campaign are becoming apparent, and the maintenance of the Russian forces is becoming a more perplexing question as they retire further to the north, while the Japanese are drawing on a fertile country in the rear for their support. North of Mukden crops are poor, and the general cold weather restricts agriculture. The Russian army, during the winter, will therefore have to depend on the single line of railroad to bring them supplies and reinforcements from regions several thousand miles away.

A committee has been organized in Manchuria for the relief of destitute Chinese throughout the region traversed by the contending armies. The Japanese are reported to be giving every assistance to the missionaries in that part of the country for the prosecution of their work.

Little news comes from Port Arthur. It is only known that the Japanese continue to bombard and attack, and that the Russians continue to offer the most stubborn resistance. Some reports state that the Japanese have already lost 45,000 men in the various assaults on this fortress.