THE WAR IN THE ORIENT

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 16, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 11.

THE WAR IN THE ORIENT.

THE chief activity of both Russia and Japan at the present time seems to be in the concentration of their forces near the vicinity of the expected first battles. Russia continues to hurry troops into Manchuria as rapidly as her railway facilities will permit her to do so, and it is reported that there is much suffering of the men en route because of the intense cold and the wretched accommodations provided. Japan continues to despatch transports filled with troops, and to hurry them to some destination in northern Korea. She is said also to be fortifying the Korean capital, Seoul. It is reported that the Japanese fleet continues to bombard Port Arthur at intervals. The fact that little or no news comes from Port Arthur, and very little from Vladivostok, leads to the belief that the Japanese land forces have cut off communication with both these places, and are seeking to isolate them entirely. Russia is calling out her first reserve and the subalterns and also her naval reserve men, and it is rumored that this means the approaching mobilization of her whole army.

The Japanese are reporting that their forces have achieved signal victories on land, but that definite reports will not yet be given for strategic reasons. It is generally expected that heavy engagements on land will not occur before the first of April.

The action of the Chinese is one of the most uncertain quantities. A considerable army is now in the vicinity of the border for the ostensible purpose of maintaining order and preserving China's neutrality. It is feared that these will attack the Russians. In case they do, the general interpretation of the Franco-Russian treaty would indicate that France must come to the help of Russia. In this case, England's treaty with Japan would call her into the trouble. It is such a contingency as that both France and England are seeking to avoid. Neither want war, and yet they may be drawn in because of their treaty engagements with the contending powers. When one or two great battles have been fought in Korea or Manchuria, we may expect to see the "powers" much more deeply interested in the war than they are at the present time.