Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-07-28
WAR NOTES.

The military operations in Manchurla
were overshadowed, last week, by the
war cloud that arose over Europe, caus-
ed by the doings of the Russian vessels
in the Red Sea. These vessels passed
the Dardenelles under the guise OF tie
Red Cross; they were irregularly IN
commission and might have been ad-
judged pirates.
After the capture of the ?. d y.
steamer Malacca, carrying the English
| flag, and her detention because she was
carrying forty tons Of ammunition con
| signed to Hong Kong, China, the Eng
lish government sent its Mediterra-
mean squadron to Alexandria, and sent
two fast cruisers into the Red Sea
Then the Russians backed down COM
pletely, SO far as the Malacca was con-
cerned, and has since done the same re-
garding some German steamers, but the
matter is not yet settled A st, Peters
burg correspondent says the whole at
fair was an exhibition of the Grand
Ducal Stupidity in charge of the Rus
sian Navy.
Our turn may come next
Cargoes of coal and provisions snip
ded from San Francisco and Seattle are
constantly on the high seas bound Tor
Japan, the government of which has
contracts with American packers ror
ten million pounds of beef.
The Russian Vladiyostock squadron
lately evaded the Jap squadron and ls
now on the Pacific, presumably along
the east coast Of Japan, and vessels car
rying the American flag are liable TO
capture at any time.
Provisions and coal, excepting under
special conditions, are not contraoand
OF war, and if any of our vessels are
seized our Government should insist
upon a strict construction Of the Law
of Nations as, generally understood
today. The Russian idea-like slavery
should not be allowe d to spread over
the earth.
In Manchuria the military operations
of last week were in the vicinity OF
Lao Yang, a railroad town now said to
be occupied by the first Jap army,
under Gen. Kuroki, which if true, shows
that the Japs are in the rear of the main
Russian army under Kuropatkin, and
besides this the Japs captured and are
occupying the mountain passes to the
east, are in force to the south, and sare
landing an army at the port OF Ying
| Kow to the west. They seem to have
the Russian army completely surround
ed.
On Sunday battle lasting for four
teen hours took place near New Chwang
large town near the mouth of the Lao
river. and near the port of Ying Kow.
A Russian division attacked a Jap. di-
vision engaged in fanking movement.
and were severely defeated; and the
evacuation of New Chwang by the Rus
slams followed.
On Monday detailed accounts OF the
| capture and sinking of the English
steamer knight Commander, off the
coast of Japan, by Russian war vessels,
were received.
The vessel sailed from New York,
May 9th, with large and varied cargo
Of merchandise, consigned to firms at
various East Indian and Chinese ports,
and also some bridge materials consign-
ed to an electrical firm at the port OF
Kobe. Japan. She stopped at Singa-
pore. Manila and Shanghai and dis
charged part Of her cargo, and was cap
tured by the Russian vessels on her way
TO Kobe; her crew were taken on board
| the Russian vessels and she was imme-
diately snnk.
The Russians seem TO be deliberately
courting trouble with all the nations Of
the earth; and fears are entertained for
the Pacific mail steamer, Korea, carry
ing the American flag and anIunition
and arms for this government to Mani
La, and now nearing the Japanese coast.
The sinking of the English merchant
man, Knight Commander, was tho sub
iect Of discussion in Parliament Tues
day. The act is condemned as being
without precedent and contrary to the
generally accepted doctrine Of interna-
tional law. At or about the same time
Russians sank two japanese merchant
men without making any attempt TO
rescue their crews, all OF whom proba-
bly, drowned. This was witnessed by
the crew of the Knight Commander.
The word from Manchuria yesterday
was that the Japs had turned both
fanks Of Kuropatkin's army, and had
then made terrific attack on his cen
tire, forcing him to retreat northward.
The Japs are in possession Of Newchang,
the former Russian stronghold, and this
puts them in touch with the former
"Black Flags" Of China. who SO greatly
annoyed the French some years ago.
Kuroki's army to the north menaces the
Russian line Of retreat, and the Bear
seems TO be in trap.