THE two great armies in Manchuria continue to face each other over a narrow space. In places they are separated by a distance of only 700 yards. For ten days the greatest battle of modern times raged, day and night, and now the exhausted armies are resting, burying their dead, bringing up reenforcements, strengthening weak positions, and preparing for a renewal of the struggle. Reports from the field state that the Japanese are drawing heavily on their Port Arthur army to fill up their depleted ranks. Recruits are being forwarded from Japan as rapidly as possible, and Japanese army men in other countries are being called home. Many in this country are already on their way in obedience to the summons of the government. Japan is calling out other classes of her reserves, and Russia is preparing to send out another large army of 200,000 men.
At Port Arthur the Japanese are said to be making some gains, capturing a few of the less important positions; but the garrison as yet is showing no signs of a readiness to capitulate. Russians estimate the Japanese loss in the various assaults on Port Arthur defenses at 50,000 in killed and wounded. The combined losses in the great battle of the Shakhe River are placed by some as high as 80,000 killed and wounded. This will go into history as one of the most stubbornly contested battles of the world. Altho the Russian advance was checked, the Japanese were unable to make any substantial headway. Both armies are entrenching, and it is probable that another great battle will begin within a few days. At the present time conditions are distressing for the participants on both sides. Many of the men are not warmly clad, the weather is bitterly cold, and fuel is scarce. The outlook is a sad one, from whatever point it may be viewed, and yet neither power is willing to accept the mediation of another power in the interests of peace.