MANCHURIA is almost as much a closed country now as is the land of Tibet, especially in the matter of obtaining reliable information of what is actually being done there. There are persistent reports of large Japanese losses in attempting to carry the outer fortifications of Port Arthur. It is definitely known that some of the fortifications have been carried by the Japanese; it is reported that all of these defensive works have been taken, and that many thousands of Japanese have been slain in the various assaults. There have been reports of naval engagements off Port Arthur with the loss of a Japanese cruiser; but these have not been verified. It is also reported that the Vladivostok fleet has had an engagement off Gensan, Korea, with a Japanese squadron; but no details are given. On land the Japanese armies under Kuroki, Oku, and Nodzu are steadily pressing the Russians back upon Liao Yang, and are threatening the great base of operations at Moukden. General Nodzu's army is reported to be pushing in between the Russian army at Liao Yang and Moukden, while at the same time a Russian force is reported to be marching down from Vladivostok to reinforce General Kuropatkin. While the Russians have strong positions at Liao Yang, it is not known whether they will risk a general battle in their defense. If reports be true, the loss of life in the week's campaigning has been large.