p. 9 | THE WAR IN THE ORIENT

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 1, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 22.

THE WAR IN THE ORIENT.

THE Japanese fleet has met with a number of disasters during the past week. In addition to the collision between two of her war vessels, in which one was sunk and the other considerably damaged, she has had one battle-ship sunk by a Russian mine, and a cruiser at least seriously damaged. When last seen she was being towed away by another vessel. This brings the Japanese forces off Port Arthur down nearly to the power of the Russians, and is causing great rejoicing in Russia. The repairs on the Baltic fleet are being hurried forward as rapidly as possible, and the fleet when ready will be sent to the East by two different routes.

It is reported that a Japanese army of 100,000 men is closing in on Liao Yang, preparatory to a general attack on that place. The investment of Port Arthur is also being pressed vigorously by the Japanese in the hope of capturing that place and capturing or destroying the Russian war-ships there before the arrival of the Baltic fleet. The loss of the Japanese war vessels has been the cause of the increased energy of the Japanese at this place.

It is reported that the Russian garrison at Port Arthur made a sortie and inflicted serious loss on the Japanese. The former lost 116 in killed and wounded, and report that the Japanese loss was more than a thousand. A detachment of 20,000 Japanese met 32,000 Russians near Feng Wang Cheng, and retreated upon that place, where they joined the remainder of their army. In the retreat the Cossacks are said to have inflicted considerable loss upon the Japanese flanks. This is reported as a Russian victory.

In Korea a serious clash has occurred between the Russian and Korean troops, and the Russians in Manchuria are suffering constantly from the attacks and depredations of Chinese bandits. In one place the latter were led by a Chinese governor. The Japanese continue to land troops on the Liao Tung peninsula, and are investing the city of New Chwang, which they were erroneously reported to have captured some time ago. An engagement is reported at Hsin Yen Cheng, in which the Russians are reported to have suffered serious loss.