Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-12-05
EUROPA ATKINS FORCE
MUCH The LARGER
PROBABLY TWICE AS NUMEROUS
AS ARMY OF oYAMA.
DRAWN TO PORT ARTHUR
Troops in the North Taken to ASSIST
in Assault upon the Stronghold
Kuropatkin May Attempt to STRIKE
Quick BloW-Reforms in Russia
Unlikely.

st. Petersburg, Nov. According
to information which has reached the
war office here Field Marshal Oyama S
strength is much smaller than here
tofore believed, tending to confirm the
theory that a large force has been
withdrawn to assist in storming Port
Arthur. This information is to the
effect that not much more than 150,-
600 men are now confronting General
Kuropatkin, but the Japanese lines
are heavily fortified in order to check
any aggressive movement which Gen
eral Kuropatkin might undertake long
enough to enable the Japanese to
hurry UP reinforcements by rail from
the peninsula. The present activity
OF the Japanese along the front, these
reports indicate, is only feigning to
convince General KUropatkin that the
offensive is imminent, Should this
important intelligence be absolutely
confirmed it is possible the Russian
commander in chief may himself at
tempt to strike a quick blow. Gen
e1al KuropatlIin is now supposed TO
have nearly 100000 men.
Reform Cause Hindered.
st. Petersburg, Nov. 3O-Prince
M estcherslzy, editor of the Grashdan
in and the foremost spokesman Of the
autocracy, holds that the inauguration
OF such reforms as are at present pos
sible in Russia has been Actually
prejudiced by "the irresponsible agi-
tation for a constitution which is now
in progress" The autocracy, he
considers vital to the life and future
greatness of Russia as a nation. Lib
eral reforms, he maintains are neces
sary, but they cannot be introduced
except by the autocracy. Moreover,
declares the prince, a broad plan OF
reform was already mapped out for
gradual introduction, when the whole
work was thrown into confusion.
+ No Change at Mukden.
Mukden, Nov. 30.-No important
change has taken place in the situa-
ton. Only occasional skirmishes have
occurred along the right and center
The Japanese have been feeling out
the Russian strength on the extreme
left, resulting in four days of fighting,
with the Japanese eventually retiring.
Japs Sweep the Whole Harbor.
London, Nov 30.-According to a
Toxic dispatch to the Standard, there
is an unofficial rumor that the Japan
csc hauled large calibre guns to the
top of the 203-meter hill, whence their
fire has swept the whole harbor
This report doubtless goes beyond
the facts, but various dispatches indi-
cate the progress the Japanese are
making in the reduction of Port Ar
thur. The Japanese here explain the
great Importance of the capture OF
the 203-meter hill, which, besides Civ
I ing command of the harbor, will serve
as wide breach made by wedge
the Japanese had previously driven in
between the Este group and the Rus
slams last retreat in the ravines OF
Laotie mountain. They declare the
retreat to Laotie hill is effectually cut
off and it is not unlikely that Laotie
will be simultaneously attacked in the
final assault.
Bennett Burleigh wires to the Tele,
graph from Chefoo that in the last as
sau1t the Japanese lost. 1000 in one
hours fighting. They claim to have
captured two more northeastern forts
and third, which is part of west Kek-
wan fort. They claim, Mr.. Burleigh
adds, to have effected Judgment at
Pigeon Bay, thus turning the fort on
the 203-meter hill, and that they are
now tunneling from the gorge below
Laotie hill, which they hope first to
damage and then to rush. The dis
patch continues:
Desperate fighting is proceeding
daily and the losses are admitted to be
excessive, but the Japanese insist that
Port Arthur must fall within Fl days.