The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-16

gram, and the little extra edition was
released. The newspapers over here are
almost as enterprising as those In
America, but on several occasions their
extra editions have come to grief The
latest affair of the kind occurred about
five weeks ago, the victim of journals
tic humiliation being a certain paper
in Osaka. The extras announcing the
fall of Port Arthur had been printed
by the thousands and sent to differ
ent cities, not to be released until off,
cially notified. But some curiosity
seeker CHANGED to see one in a sus-
picious bundle and read it. His fiery
patriotism would not let him keep the
good news all to himself, so the news
took wings, and before the mistake
could be corrected one large city, at
least, had a notable demonstration.
Victories Won at FriGhtfuI Cost.
But one conviction grows on me with
every added day of my visit to Japan.
These victories are won at frightful
cost. The Japanese losses in killed and
wounded are enormous. They have
not been fully reported, and possibly
may never be. From private and
trustworthy sources l learn that two
or more large crematories in front of
Port Arthur have been in operation
night and day for many weeks, burn
MS Tic bOdlCo VI NAAOGC oicilli III belt-
tie. Smoke is continually ascending
from those places to the high heavens
above the beseiged city. The num-
Der of Japanese dead will never be
known by the graves that are seen,
or the little urns sent home that con-
tain heroic ashes, for many a poor
fellow has not friend near by to pre-
serve even q handful of his ashes.
OF the multiplied thousands wounded
in battle, | have been able to make
some estimate from the returning
transports and crowded trains, l have
seen, and conversations with intelligent
Japanese. With an almost reckless
daring, inspired by the august "vir-
tues of the Emperor, these little SOL
diers have rushed to battle and to
death. Much of the Russian fighting
according to the tradition of years, has
been from entertainments. OF neces-
sity, therefore, the Japanese losses
have been heavier. But there has
been unnecessary loss of life, espec-
tally around Port Arthur. To recoup
these losses the Second Reserves have
already been called out, and further
conscriptions will soon be made. If
the war continues long it will be dis
astrous drain upon Japan.
Want Speedy Peace.
The more thoughtful of these people
are very DESTROYS of speedy peace.
They see the inevitable IL this exhaust
ing struggle continues. While every
one feels the war to be just and is
willing to suffer if only his country
can be victorious, many feel that the
price paid is very dear. There is no
hope of war indemnity to recoup
heavy expenditures, and years of taxa
tion burdens must be patiently borne
to provide for an enormous interest
account. Trade conditions are grow
ing daily more serious. One promi-
nent merchant told me a few days ago
that his sales had decreased from &c.,
900 to $4,000. Yet taxes one some things
have increased 20 per cent. But a
pluckier little people never lived, and
in the Civilizations of victory they for
got the sorrows of a year. Indeed,
their stoicism will never allow them
to brood over any misfortune.