The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-01
THE WEEKS NEWS.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 81.
The Japanese Capture Port Arthur.

The Japanese Capture Port arthur
Port Arthur was captured by the
Japanese, Wednesday, Nov. 81. There is
great rejoicing over the victory. The
capture of Port Arthur was announced
in a dispatch from Che Foo. Port
Arthur fell after eighteen hours tight
ing.
Confirmation of the report of the capt
ure of Port Arthur came almost stimuli
taneously to the State and Navy Depart
ments, to the former from United States
Minister DENLY, at Pekin, and to the
latter from Admiral Carpenter, on board
the United States steamer Baltimore, at
Che Foo, the Admiral at the same time
notifying the Navy Department that the
Baltimore was about to sail Immediately
for Port Arthur, where she doubtless
has arrived by this time.
1t cannot ,be said the fall of Port
Arthur was unexpected at the State
Department, although the officials had
supposed, from their knowledge OF the
tremendous natural strength of the
place, reinforced as it was by every device
that scientific military engineering could
add that it would certainly have with
stood protracted siege, particularly in
view of the fact that the Japanese. as
known, had no heavy siege guns and
were obliged to rely on light field artill-
cry. Under such conditions the vic DRY
of the Japanese becomes remarkable
and the reduction of the fortress will
doubtless stand a shining example OF
the magnificent military strategy OF the
Japanese commanders.
1t is the opinion of military experts
Japan's attack on Port Arthur was
most perilous venture on their part.
They could not afford to sustain any con-
siderable defeat, for the result would
have been in the first place to determine
the Chinese to pursue the war and in
the second to retard the Japanese Gov
eminent in it's effort to float new war
loan. By the victory at Port Arthur the
success of the latter is now assured.
In view of these risks the japanese
commanders were obliged to proceed
with great caution, as was shown by
their avoidance of the military roads,
supposed to be mined, and by their haul
ing of cannon and marching their attack
ing forces around through rough coun-
try and morasses. That they were able
to do this and still score victory with
out substantial check in so short space
OF time is regarded here as feat equal
to that accomplished by any of the most
highly trained armies of Europe.
Moreover, with the Chinese fleet prac
tically bottled up at Wei Hal Wei the
Japanese are in position to detach
portion of their own navy to attack other
Chinese coast cities and work enormous
damage. So it would seem to be mad.
ness for the Chinese to persist in the
war, realizing that for every days delay
they must add to the great indemnity
which they will be obliged to pay japan,
and it is believed in Washington that
very soon the Chinese will sue for peace
through the m, diation directly or indi-
rectly of United States Minister Dun at
Tokyo.
THE expected marriage of the new
Gear of Russia to the Princess Alix of
Hesse Darmstadt, grand daughter OF
Victoria of England, took place in st.
Petersburg, November 26. Before 7
o'clock that morning large crowds of
people were assembling on the Newsky
Prospect in order to secure places along
the route Of the royal wedding process
sion. From the Anitchkoff Palace to
the Winter Palace the whole avenue was
lined with troops. The morning broke
dull and cold but dry. Before long the
whole front of the route was black with
people. There was not an inch of space
to spare along the Grand Morskaija
Prospect and on the square in front of
the Winter Palace. The large majority
of the stores we're closed. and in the
windows were prominently displayed
colored portraits of the Gear and Prin
cess Alix.
At 1:3O p. M. in the distance, was sud-
denly heard the grand swelling strains
of the national anthem. and all along the
route the multitude uncovered in an
ticipation of the approach of the bridal
party. Soon after there appeared an
open state carriage drawn by four white
horses. In this vehicle were the Gar
and his brother, Grand Duke Michael.
Then came superb landau, also
drawn by four white horses, in which
was Princess Alix, and the spectators all
waited patiently for view of the pro-
cession on it's return from the Winter
Palace, when the imperial party alight-
ed and entered the Cathedral of Kazan,
where the protection of the Almighty
was invoked upon the new Gar and
Czarina.
BERLIN, November 26.-It is officially
announced here that Japan recognizes
that the United States Minister at Tokyo.
Mr.. Dun, is suitable channel through
which China can open up negotiations
for peace. The powers will not take any