Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-07
Shore Batteries Said to
Have Reached Yes
sells in Harbor.
NO NEWS OF A SORTIE
Northern Armies ManeuVering
for Favorable Battle
Ground.

Toxic. Oct. Tt is reported here
that the fire of the Japanese land bat
teries severely damaged four Russian
warships at the harbor of Port Ar
thur. 1t is stated one of the vessels
was completely wrecked.
Duel of Tactics.
St. Petersburg, Oct. IA tactical
duel of the highest interest is now
proceeding in Manchuria. The Rus
slams are trying to draw the Japanese
into battle on the Hun river. along
which river Kuropatkin's forces have
a convenient natural line of defense.
The Japanese are straining to get a
sufficient number of troops around
through the mountains and thus force
the Russians back to Tie pass, around
which place the uneven ground is
more suitable 10 the islanders.
Another source of Russian supplies
is cut off, the Sinmintin road being
no longer passable, owing to the large
number of Chinese bandits infesting
that part of the country. Gen. NallCih-
ko. constructor of the Notifications at
Port Arthur and in nearly all of Man
churia. in an interesting interview in
the VTemya. says:
"The further retreat of our army TO
Tie pass appears TO me quite uncalled
for Our forces are being rapidly con-
centrated and reinforced. In the i'm
mediate future the Russian army will
take the offensive along the whole
front"
He admits the loss of the wateI-
works at Port Arthur is a severe blow.
Expect Fleet 10 Go.
St Petersburg, Oct. While the
admiralty claims To- have no knOwl-
edge of the departure of the Port Ar
thur squadron it is inferrable from
the way in which the report that such
an event had transpired has been re-
ceived that definite confirmation would
not create surprise.
1t is known that no direct orders
have been sent TO Admiral Wren to
break through the blOckading fleet
but it is tacitly admitted that the ad-
miral has discretionary powers to leave
Port Arthur should the situation de
mand or conditions be propitious.
In naval circles it is pointed opt
that Wednesday morning the condi-
tions might have been favorable for
sortie Heavy storms ragged on Tues
day and doubtless compelled the block
aiding vessels. and particularly the tor
pedo boats. to seek shelter, thus leav-
ing the way clear for a dash to Vladi-
vustok Some naval officers. however
are inclined TO think the firing that
was heard at Chefoo may only have
been directed at blockade runners.
Guards Held In Readiness.
Significant orders have been issued
to keep time expired members of ali
the guards regiments stationed in and
around ST. Petersburg with the col
ors till March. 1905. Orders were is
sued today to all seamen belonging
TO the battleship Orel and the cruis-
ers Oleg. Zemtchug. and Izumrud to
rejoin their vessels at Cronstadt i'm
mediately. II is believed that this
presages the sailing of these vessels
tomorrow for Reval, where Emperor
Nicholas is going 10 review the whole
Pacific squadron.
Russians at Tie Pass.
The activity along the outposts is
considered TO confirm the general be
liaf that the bulk of Gen. Kuropatkin S
army is at Tie pass. A special dis
patch from Mukden says preparations
for winter quarters are being made
adding that semi-subterranean huts
are being constructed for the men sta
toned about the city. These are de
SCribed as being warm and comfort
able. The same report says the Japa
neSe are suffering from privatiOns
cold, and hunger
y Chefoo special dispatch declares
the Japanese squadron must have beer
damaged during the great storm. which
has been raging in the Yellow sea.
Says Cost VIII he n Billion.
Toxic. Oct. In addressing the
members OF the united clearing house.
of Toxic yesterday Count Okuma. the
leader of the progressive party. warn
ed the people to prepare for a Ions
war. the date of the termination O
which il was now impossible to fore
tell
He predicted that the cost to Japal
for a two years war. including tn,
loans which had been already place,