The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-04-09
PROGRESS OF TINE WAR,


PROGRESS OF THE WAR,
There has been a marked change in
the attitude of the people of this coun-
try with reference to the war in the
East. At the beginning of the war the
American people-or large portion of
them-misled by the deliberate attempt
on the part Of the public press to de-
ceive, We're wrought up to a high state
Of admiration for Japan and a CORE
spondingly low estimate of Russia.
The great majority Of the people
thought the war would be over in Il
few months Actual events are be-
ginning to have their effect. People
wondered at the ease with which Japan
disposed of the Russian fleet. But when
the same ship was destroyed about six
times and still remains to take part
in the defense OF Port Arthur, the
truth gradually broke upon the trust
ing public. When the harbor of Port
Arthur had been three times reported
closed by the japanese and yet the
Russian fleet was able to come out and
engage the enemy the people were sure
something was wrong. In view of the
fact that campaign Of deception has
been carried on it is no wonder that
l.-ere is Il marked change in pubnc
sentiment. AS a matter of fact the
war has not yet fairly commenced.
Ills is especially true as far as Russia
is concerned. Russia has been utilizing
tile time since early February in get
ting ready for the real work that is
to come. The troops already stationed
i'll Manchuria have been Systematically
transferred to chosen points of defense
along the Corean BORDER European
troops have been transported across the
Siberian railroad at the rate of from
two to five thousand per day. The
civil officers who We're in control of
nussian affairs in the East when war
broke out have been succeeded by the
best military men in Russia. When
we take into consideration the fact
that only now has the leader of the
RUSSIAN army appeared on the ground,
we realize at once that Russia has not
yet commenced to fight. She will not
night for some time to come. Not until
everything is ready will the mighty
of Ina she
American press, in it's effort to aid the
Anglo-Japanese alliance, has been her.
aiding every retreat Of small bodies of
Russian scouts in Corea as Japanese
victory. AS a matter of fact Russia
has up to the present time done nothing
except to linrass the advance of Japa-
nesc troops. AT no time or place has
there been engaged a body of Russians
exceeding Il few hundred in number.
Nothing really has been done so far.
After all the reported Japanese vic
tories ON the sea it now seems certain
that no great injury has been inflicted
on the Russian fleet in the east. Out
side of the two war vessels destroyed
a. ~nemulpo it is doubtful whether any
permanent injury has been inflicted.
Indeed Japan has probably, suffered a
greater loss than Russia. The ten
transport ships sacrificed in the futile
attempts to close the harbor at Port
Arthur have entailed greater loss
upon Japan than have all the so called
brilliant japanese victories upon Rus
STA. 1t is no wonder therefore that a
distinct change Of sentiment has taken
place. Screaming extras announcing
for the fortieth time the fall of Port
Arthur create only amusement. The
campaign Of deception has been pro-
ductive of at least one good thing, it
has destroyed all the power of the
Anglo-American press to do further
harm. Never before have the Ameri-
can people been humbugged to such a
degree as ,hey have been by the pub
LEGATION of fakes about the present war.
All this was done for the purpose of
prejudicing the people of this country
against Russia. The chances are that
the thing has been so outrageously
overdone that the result will be lust
the opposite from that intended.