The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1894-11-02
VICTORIOUS JAPANESE.
Minister Denby Cables the State De-
partment of Two More Defeats
For Chinese.
ONE WAS AT PORT ARTHUR.
Evidences That Japs Are Preparing
For Winter Campaign, Some
thing Heretofore Unknown.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31.-Two impor-
tant and significant Japanese victories
are recorded by United States Minister
DENLY in cable to the state depart
ment from Pekin. He says that the
Chinese forces have been defeated at
Chin Lien Cheng and have retreated to
Moukden; also he reports that the Jap.
anese have taken one of the Chinese
forts at Port Arthur. The scene of the
first engagement is just across the Yalu
river in Manchuria, and it marks the
first real aggressive movement by the
Japanese on Chinese soil, for it is be-
lieved here that the preceding move
ments on the west side of the Yalu
river by the Japanese have been
In the Nature of slxirmishes
to develop the reali strength of the
Chinese forces This having been done
the Japanese are supposed to have
formally entered upon the campaign,
with Moukden, the Manchurian capital,
as the objective point.
Unless they are fully prepared to
make this a winter campaign, some-
thing heretofore unknown in eastern
warfare, they will be obliged to force
the fighting and move with great speed
as but Is days remain before cold
weather comes. In the neighborhood
OF Port Arthur, where the Sec
ond Japanese success is reported,
the winter climate is not so
severe and operations may be
maintained until much later in the
season, particularly in view of the ex-
cellent base of supplies afforded for the
Japanese troops in the presence of
their own war vessels, in the neighbor-
hood, keeping open free lines of COM
munication with Korea and Japanese
supply ports. 1t is believed here that
Notwithstanding the taking of a Chi
nese fort by the Japanese at Port
Arthur, the place will be able to hold
out for long time. 1t is strongly for
titled by land and sea, the plans being
drawn by experienced engineer officers,
and can offer most formidable resist
ance.
Need Heavy Artillery.
The experts in Washington believe
that it cannot be reduced by the Jap
anese without the use of heavy artillery,
and SO far as reported, the Japanese are
not supplied with this.
Inasmuch as the capture of Port
Arthur would result in giving Japan
control of the gulf of Pc Che Ii and
cut off the Chinese capital from com.
munication wieh the sea, it is believed
that the Japanese will make most de.
termined effort to capture the fortress.
The belief that they are prepared to dc
this, even if it involves long siege and
winter campaign is borne out by the
fact that the agents of the Japanese
government in this country have uui.
city bought up vast store of goatskins
and have practically cornered the
market.
Looks Like Winter Campaign.
AS these skins are commonly used in
China and Japan as necessary part of
the soldiers winter raiment, it is fair tc
presume that the Japanese are making
ready for winter campaign. Great
interest is shown in the news of the
day at both Japanese and Chinese lega.
tions here.
The former, up to noon had received
no advices from his governmentre relative
to the last engagements and the Chi.
nese minister evidently was in similar
position, for he was anxiously seeking
news from Secretary Gresham, even be-
| fore office hours