Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-05-04
WARM THE FAR EAST
PROGRESS OF THE GREAT sTRuG-
GLE UP TO DATE.
Conflict Not Four Months Old and
Russia Has Received Blows Which
Have staggered the Big Empire
Land Battles Expected Soon.

The war in the far East is not yet four
months old and Russia has been dealt
blows which have given rise to spirit
of black pessimism throughout the big
empire. Primarily the Cars forces ex-
hibited an unpreparedness for strife, con-
sidering the aggravated nature Of the me-
gotiations between the two powers,
which has drawn on the Russian authori-
ties the ridicule Of the worlds military
experts and summary punishment from
the luped, gentle-mannered autocrat. Nor
Is this vet the worst. Taken by surprise,
the squadron Mt Port Arthur was given
terrific drubbing, which left two of the
feet OF formidable battleships disabled
and the morale Of the forts defenders
considerably diminished. Since that first
decisive blow the japanese, whom the
Russians had deris:fely termed "barbar-
ians" have demonstrated a sustained
ability and strategy which strained TO the
breaking point the spirit of their phieg-
matte foe At practically every point
have the Muscoyite arms been baifled or
defeated At the beginning of hostilities
the Cars feet at Port Arthur numbered
seven stanch battleships, as many well
built cruisers and horde of smaller
craft. This force, by the persistent ham
mering of the japanese. has been reduced
to two unchanged battleships and two or
three cruisers. Moreover Admiral Max
nrol. whose aggressive methods had re
vived hope in the Russian breast, has
fallen a victim 10 the enemy's lure, and
paid for his error with his life. On land
the japanese triulnphs, while negative in
Iheir nature, have been none the less
positive in effect With little or no fight
ing the Russian eustodians have been
almost completely driven out of Korea,
the disputed territory. and the Japanese
outposts burn their eampires fearlessly
on the banks Of the Yalu, ready at the
proper moment 20 cross that fateful
| stream and preeede the invasion Of Man
churia, possibly Siberia.
The next move of the little brown peo-
| pie Is prohlematieal A few military au-
| thorities hold that the Japanese armies
should penetrate to Hardin. depriviug the
! enemy so effectually Of convenient base
/ Of operatil as TO render a repossession
! Of the less ground technically impossible.
| Other experts advocate a forward move
ment only as far as Mukden, believing
/ that should the japanese become tangled
/ be forced 10 q retreat rs disastrous as
was that OF Booaparts from Moscow.
| Meanwhile the ktssi4n Baltic feet,
! which IS the sole remaining inspiration
OF naval Russia, is preparing to leave
/ via the Suez canal for the far East, EN-
/ ployng a devious route which viii leave
the japanese undisputed masters of east
/ ern waters for at least two months This
! in a nutshell is the situation.
! What will follow is sheer conjecture
| Theories are as numerous as theorists
and intrinsically about as valuable. The
most intelligent Russians do not deny
/ that their cause has been sadly weakened
and the subjects % the IikadO are pro-
! porhenately enthusiastic. As a result OF
! this Weakening it is safe prediction
/ that any aggrese ION on the part of Rus
/ STA has been greatly postponed, and the
| tentative length OF the var considerably
extended What bearing it will have on