Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1904-02-18

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have marked the opening days OF the
RuSso-Japanese war. Nine Russian
warships have been put out of COM
mission by Japanese torpedoes and
shells ana as the Russians have no
dockyard facilities in the far east TO
repair the damages inflicted on their
ships it follows that the vessels are
useless for service i'm the present war.
Over 1000 Russian troops have been
taken prisoners by the capture Of
three Russian transports of the volun-
teer fleet off the Korean coast.
The report is confirmed that an i'm
portant bridge on the Manchurian
railroad has been blown up by tho
Japs and 80 men have been killed. II is
also reported that the Russian steam
ers Nonn and Mukden. belonging TO
the Chinese Eastern Railway Co.. have
been captured by the Japanese. These
are both from 4 London correspondents
ut Shanghai.
The mikado is personally superin
tending affairs and the cabinet holds
daily sessions. The government has
issued orders for the protection of all
Russian subjects residing in Japan.
The existence of a state Of war with
Russia was formally announced We'd
neSday by the mikado's proclamation
1t is telegraphcd from Toxic that ia
pan seized Masampho Sunday and dis
patched heavy force there. Japan
will fortify the port and establish a
naval and military base there. Masam
pho is an exceedingly important pOin.
as it controls the Korean channel ann
Is an excellent base for future opert-
tons. The success of Japan on tile
sea would carry enormous advantage
and practically decide the war. On
paper the fleets are almost equal, al
though the Japanese are confident that
their personnel Is superior. They say
that n drawn battle would be really u
Japanese victory on account of Rus
Sia's lack of facilities to dock and re-
pair her larger craft.
King Edward, at Il council held DIT
Buckingham palace Thursday signed a
proclamation declaring Great Britarn's
neutrality during the war between
Russia and Japan.
4 special to the Reuters Telegram
Co. from Port Arthur says the Russian
fleet. consisting of four battleships and
three cruisers. has been destroyed in Il
naval engagement off that port Tues
day. Three Japanese battleships are
also reported damaged The japanese
ships got between the fire from the
land batteries and the Russian ships.
The report circulated in ST. Peters
burg that the United States has Of
fercd her good services is commented
on only by the Novosti which en-
Ion OF. n
intervention is impossible. and says IL
doubts whether the offer of good SCI
vices in the strictest sense would have
any result. The paper adds that II
considers IL strange that the United
States has made Il distinction between
China and Korea. which, it points out.
is also an independent country.
Repeating the charge that the Jap
anese attack on Port Arthur was made
from We-Iai-Wei on the north coast
OF the ShanTung peninsula, the Novoc
Nremya bitterly assails Great Britain.
''ln allowing Japan to use the harbor
as n basis Of operations" says the
Novoc Nremya. Great Britain violat-
ed the fundamental principles OF neu-
| trality. Wei-Hai-Wei must be regarded
henceforth MS part of Japanese terri
! tory. and Great Britain has forfeited
the right TO participate in any delhi.
erations over the eventual fate Of the
harbor."
The paper further holds that the
case Is analogous 10 that Of the Ala.
bama and says Russia is entitled to
demand compensation from Gree {
I Britain for the losses she has suf-
| fered.
The British government has in'or
nation which leads ii To believe tina,
Japan Is likely to be in possession OF
Port Arthur within week In tho
best informed Japanese circles of Lon
| don it IL privately thought that the
war will he over by July. Those
British officials WHO are cognrzant
Of the extraordinary thoroughness
with which JGpan prepared for tn,
war are inclined to share the Jap.
anese view regarding the duration oil
The struggle.
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