The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-12-24
The Russo-Japanese War.

The war between Japan and Russia is the
most savage and ferocious ever known and
the slaughter of men the greatest. Hand TO
hand contests have been frequent, the bayonet
playing prominet part. All known means
to destroy life have been used. The Japanese
use hand grenades, dynamite and explosives
of all kinds against the Russians. The Rus
SLAMS have used barbed wire to entangle the
Japanese, and about two weeks ago dug
trench 600 yards long and so feet wide, filed
it with petroleum and covered it with bushes
and grass. When the Japanese advanced
they rushed pell-mell into the trench, and the
Russians set fire to the OIL burning hundreds
of men to death.
The loss of life has been appalling. In the
capture of 203 Metre Hill alone, near Port
Arthur. the Japanese sacrificed $4,000 men.
In all the Japanese have lost close to 10000
men on land and sea, and quite number OF
transports and warships The Russians have
lost heavily also, but not to the extent the
Japanese have. for they have usually been
protected by iutrenchments. The Japanse
have about annihilated the Port Arthur feet,
not more than half dozen torpedo boats
being fit for service
The Russian Baltic feet, in three divisions,
is moving toward Japanese waters. Their
place of meeting is unknown, though naval
critics have designated several points. The
ships will be combined before getting too close
TO the japanese fleet Where is their Oh
iective point-Port Arthur. Vladivostok or on
the coast Of Japan-is matter of speculation.
Ii IS expected the three Russian divisions will
be Joined in a day or two and Will be IN
japanese waters the first week ia Jan
uary. The japanese, it is thought, may try
to prevent union OF the Russian squadrons,
and they no doubt will be prepared to receive
the Baltic ships When the contending fleets
do meet some hard knocks will ba delivered.
Should the Russians lose, their sea power
would be gone, except few ships IN the
Black sea and the Baltic. With the loss Of
their fleet the Russians would be put TO a Sc,
rious disadvantage. They could drive the
japanese land forces TO NladIvostok and Port
Arthur. but no further, as at these points they
would De under the pfuleCllON tl tue Jdk iaht>t
fleets. The war has been on for nearly eleven
months, and it may be said that no special
advantage has been gained bT either side.
Probably $50, 600 men have been killed and
wounded, debts amounting to millions have
been incurred, taxes have been increased, and
pension lists swollen. And for what reason
commercial advantage alone. Russia built
railroad 1908 miles long 10 Port Arthur, as
an outlet for trade in the East. Japan oh
jected, fearing Russia might gam the aseen-
dency 10 the Orient, and is aiming at mo-
noply herself Negotiations for the eyaeua
ton of Port Arthur were on for several years.
Japan concluding that Russia did not intend
to give up the port, seut her feet to attack the
place the first Of hast February. two days be
fore war was declared. Russia seems to have
been unprepared for war, while japan had
been making ready for two years.
Should the Russian Baltic feet be able to
cope with the Japanese ships, Russia will ne,
be many months in disposing of she Japanese
land forces in Manchuria.