Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-09-01
WAR NOTES.

On Wednesday of last week the Rus
sian government issued orders to the
Captains of the two damaged Russian
vessels. that had taken refuge in the
Chinese harbor Of Shanghai. to haul
down their flags, and dismant,e their
vessels; and that ended what was called
THE Shanghai Incident" which prom
ised to become very interesting, as the
Japs had had given notice that they
would take possession of the two vessels
IL it were not done.
Theincident. however, gave the civiliz
ed world an intimation of a new kind of
yellow Peril Chinese strength,
on account of numbers, but Chinese
weakness. China is 50 vast, and popu-
lous and wealthy, that all the great
nations seek share of her trade. and
Ill have acquired extensive interests
there which are liable to conflict, while
the government is SO feeble, from mil
tary standpoint that she is unable to de-
fend her own neutrality.
Shanghai is located near the mouth
of the great Yangtsze river it has a
splendid anchorage, was one of the ports
opened to foreign commerce sixty years
ago; has British, American and French
settlements outside the walls of the old
city; is the seaport or outlet for the
richest silk and tea district of China.
and has become a great commercial
centre with population Of about half
q million.
During the latter part of last week
the Japs seemed to give up their idea
Of carrying the Russian Notifications at
Port Arthur by storm, as it was costing
them too much. both in men and anu
milton. Ten Thousand Japs are said to
have been hit by Russian bullets since
the siege began, and Of one detachment
OF five hundred men, who made mid
night attack during storm. not one is
said to have returned.
The Russian lines around the harbor
and town are about five miles in length;
the Jap lines are mile or two outside
those of the Russians. and they have
six hundred siege guns in position, and
they are said to be building winter
quarters. and settling for long siege
In the meantime the Jap armies in
the vicinity of Liao Yang, two hundred
miles to the north. or about twice the
distance from Pittsburg to Erie got
busy. The rains stopped aud the
weather cleared. and Kuroki forced the
Russians from several positions, his ad-
vance guard and the Russian rear
guards coming continuously in col
lision.
Yesterday Kuropatkin's whole army,
variously stated as numbering from
114.0OO to 10000 was reported as oc-
cupying the entrenchments around the
town Of Lao Yang, built by Russias
most expert military engineer: while
the three Jap. armies of Kuroki, Oku
and Nodzu. estimated at 240. 600 men
in all. were taking positions around
him. The line of railroad to the north
Of him was not yet cut. and unless he
decides to further retreat. one of The
bloodiest battles of history ia imminent.
According to yesterdays dispatches
the great battle of the war began Tues
day morning. with fighting all along the
line. The Russian lines almost encir-
al ft,a frx frn, 1,n l., ~
around the southern limits and to the
river on the West; aud are several
miles in length. The Japs began in the
early morning with their artillery; there
were desperate charges during the day,
and the fighting closed at nightfall,
with no great advantage gained by
either side The Russians are strongly
entrenched; and the battle will probably
continue for several days.
THE controversy over Judge Parker's
political views now raging between the
New York World and the BROOKLYN Ea-
gle lays naked one of the vital weak
nesses of the Democratic canvass. That
canvass is shown to be grounded in in
sincerity and double dealing. From the
confessions of these two Democratic
newspapers we learn that Judge Par
ker's views on one Of the most impor-
tant issues of the campaign are being
grossly juggled with. The Democratic
candidate is represented as facing diff
ferent ways. and votes are being sought
for him as the champion of two oppo-
site and irreconcilable policies.