PAGE after page of the daily press has been filled during the week with rumors and unauthenticated reports of what has transpired or is about to transpire in the war between the Russians and Japanese. A report, which came simultaneously from London, Berlin, and St. Petersburg, states that the contending forces met on the Yalu River, and that in the engagement which followed 2,500 Russians were left dead or wounded on the field. The report was credited in St. Petersburg, where it is said to have caused the deepest gloom. A reverse in the vicinity of the Yalu has been expected by the Russian commander-in-chief. This is what is believed to have caused him to withdraw his headquarters farther inland. Russia's greatest living general, Kuropatkin, has been appointed to the command of the land forces in the East. Vice-Admiral Makaroff has been appointed to succeed Admiral Alexeiff in the command of the Russian fleet.
Russia is said to be experiencing great difficulty in transporting her troops to the East, and at the same time transporting sufficient supplies of every kind for them and for those already there. She has undertaken a gigantic task, with her preparations very incomplete. Disease is reported to have broken out among the troops who are on their way across Asia, and the government is making hurried preparations for the despatch of additional doctors and nurses. On the other hand, Japan is reported to be fully prepared, and her forces fully equipped.
Within the week, if reports are correct, there have been several attacks on Port Arthur and the Russian fleet at that place by the Japanese fleet without serious results to either side. It seems, however, that the Japanese have lost one gunboat and two or more torpedo boats, in addition to the sinking of the five steamers with which they endeavored to block up the channel to the entrance of Port Arthur. The attempt was discovered by the Russians, and three of the vessels were sunk outside the entrance. Two went down inside, but it is not believed that they effectually block the entrance to the harbor.
While the Russians are planning to carry on a defensive campaign until April, the Japanese seem to be pushing their forces toward the zone occupied by the Russians. A battle is expected soon. A report from Cheefoo, China, states that the Japanese have landed 40,000 more troops at Chemulpo, Korea. A large division is reported to have landed at Possiet Bay, north of the Korean boundary, and it is believed to have been a part of this division which has been wrecking the railroad. If this report be true, it seems to be the intention of the Japanese to cut off both Port Arthur and Vladivostock from communication with headquarters, and invest and reduce these places. Parties of Russian scouts have crossed the Yalu; but no large body of troops has yet advanced into Korea.
The powers are striving hard to maintain "correct" attitudes, so as not to be drawn into the trouble. France feared that she might be involved on account of the new treaty between Japan and Korea, and hurried a message to England to forestall a possible calamity through England's misunderstanding of her attitude. England has declared her intention of not allowing Thibet to be dominated by Russian influence. So she will continue her course in that country in spite of Russia's irritation over the matter. There is much feeling in Russia against the United States, because of America's apparent sympathy with the Japanese. Japan has applied for permission to lay a cable to connect with the American cable at Guam, so that, in case her cable to Shanghai is cut, she will still be in communication with the rest of the world. The Russians intimate this would be considered a breach of neutrality for America to give such permission; but it seems quite possible that the permission will be given.