Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-09-02
THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR,
VENTS OF A WEEK In The FAR EAST CONCISELY YOID
The British Admiralty From Game NJ
Good Hope to Stop the Russian Steamers
From Interfering With Neutral Commerce.

From Interfering w
The strained situation at Shanghai
China, which promised complication
with other nations, has been relieved
by Russia's consenting to have hel
two ships there disarmed and tied NJ
until the war shall close.
The Russian Government saws Il
will assemble a second great army il
Manchuria, consisting of three or -four
corps under the command of Gen
Baron Kaulbars or General Sioux
homliuoff. Its headquarters will bt
at Mukden. The object of this steE
is to meet the situation that viii
arise should Port Arthur fall, thu,
releasing the Japanese army fol
operations northward. 1t is believed
that more rapid transportation OF
troops will be possible owing to the
approaching completion of the rail
road around Lake Baikal.
A news letter from Russia states
that not only do very few of til,
peasants take any interest in the
war, but that great many of them
are of the opinion the fighting is
going on because the Cossacks stole
the Mikado's child.
Admiral Togo, who scattered and
vanquished the Russian Port Arthur
fleet when it attempted to leave its
haven of safety, and Admiral
Kamimura, who sunk a part and
disabled the remainder of the Vladi-
vostok squadron in the Korean straits
a day or two later, embraced the
Christian religion some years ago.
Admiral Kamimura was graduated
from the Naval Academy at Annap-
oils, Md.
Some surprise is expressed among
foreigners that an army estimated at
100000 men should be engaged in
the operations against Port Arthur,
now that the Russian squadron has
been destroyed and the urgent neces-
sity for the reduction of the fortress
seems to have disappeared. This is
the explanation made by a japanese
official: sport Arthur is the key to
the whole situation in Manchuria.
1t is Of the utmost Importance that
it should be in our possession when
the time comes for the discus sion of
peace terms. Once under the Japa-
nese flag, it will never again become
a Russian possession. Should peace
negotiations begin before Port Arthur
has fallen, the Powers might insist
on its retention by Russia. Without
Port Arthur, Russia will not be a
constant menace to Japan. This is
the reason why great army is. kept
there which might be useful in help
ing to crush Kuropatkin. The Rus
sian army in Manchuria is in a posi-
ton thoroughly satisfactory to Japan.
1t can he properly cared for by the
troops now operating against it, or it
eau wait until the matter Of Port
Arthur has been settled. When our
get ready to deal with
kuropatkin, they will do it. There
is no need for hurry. The stories of
enormous losses to the Japanese
forces in front of Port Arthur, which
plainly come from Russian sources,
cause some amusement here. If
half these reports were true, Japan
would have no army at all on the
Kwantung Peninsula"
The ill.starred battleship Oref.
which already has suffered two acct
dents, will not be able to join the
Baltic squadron. When her engine
trials began it was discovered that
The engines had been practically
wrecked by workmen introducing
ron filings into the valves and
cylinders. 1t will probably require
many months to repair the damage.
The Baltic, or eastern fleet of Russia.
has sailed on what is claimed to be a |
rial cruise. Many believed the
ieet Will push its way to Asia, touch
ng at intermediate ports, to receive
orders whether best to proceed or
'eturn, as coming events may decide. |
IT'LL HAMMERING PORT ARTHUR.
1t is certain that tie Japanese
'rand assault failed utterly, as thew
we're unable to break through the ring
Il forts in places essential for the
apture of the remainder. The recent
dvance of the Japanese is described
Ike that of a swarm of locusts.
they waded through stream of
Hood and were impaled upon line
4 bayonets. The men were killed
Wholesale while constructing earth
'orks, but others stepped into the
acancles, calmly taking up the picks
nd shovels until trenches were
wept away. AS the japanese were
ilmbing on shoulders, of their com.
AIDES to scale the fort walls thew
'ere stabbed by the bayonets of the
'ussian soldiers who were leaning
yer. Finally the men dropping
rom exhaustion were trampled on
y the lighting troops. Russians and
japanese were wedged into strug-
Ing mass between the walls unable
use their arms.
General Stoessel describes the
tench from the deesving bodies
etween the lines as being horrible
There are many instances of
ravery like the following: Captain
commanding the Russian
larlhes, stood on top of wall. his
eVolver in one hand and his sword
, the other and killed or wounded
"enty odd japanese, who, mounting
n the shoulders of their comrades
tempted to scale the wall. When
ne Japanese were repulsed Captain
'ebedieii sat down ard was wipino
ne perspiration from his face when
shrapnel shell tore his BODY to
ieees.
The Russian battleship sebastopol,
lille bombarding the Japanese posi-.
on on land from outside the harbor
'rnck mine and inclined consider
ply to starboard with home o,,L