The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-02-12
FIRST BLOW,
First Blood, First Victory
for the JapS.
Eleven Russian Vessels and One
Japanese Disabled or Dis
trOyed.

The war between Japan and Russia
has begun.
The little Japanese has struck the
first blow on the sea, and won the
first victory at Port Arthur, and fol-
lowed II up with another at Chemulpo
Japan has shown herself to be the
better prepared, the more alert, and
and better in strategy and daring, on
the sea. so far.
The Russians have not come up to |
Iexpections; have allowed themselves |
to be surprised in their own port, |
and only fought in dazed way when
attacked.
The Russians have claimed the VIC
tiory, but dispatches from all other
sources Indicate that the Russians
have had one warship destroyed, ten
badly damaged, and three transports
loaded with 1000 troops and munitions
of war, captured, while the Japanese
have lost but one vessel.
The general opinion in England,
France and Germany Is that, on the
sea Russia is practically out of the
fight. but probably not out of the
running. Russia and Japan are both
rushing troops into Korea and battle
is possible before many days. Russia
has probably 800, 900 troops in Man
anu -dolCln AOCltd ctdIACAGh
over hundreds of miles, guarding the
the railroads, and many numerous
forts. Her army is moving across
the Yalu. river into northern Corea
. and she will be able to concentrate a
large army in a short time. Japan
! Is rapidly moving troops into southern
: Korea. and now that she practically
controls the sea, she can land her
: troops where she pleases. Both
armies are marching on Seoul, the
: lcapital, about the middle of the
country, north and south. Korea IL
a peninsula 800 miles long and l35
miles wide.
The cause of the present trouble
between Japan and Russia dates back
r some ten years. After Japan had
a conquered China in the war of ls94-5
y aud had taken Port Arthur and
n the island of Formoso as a war in
Idemnity. Russia, Germany and
France notified her that she woull
o not be allowed to hold Port Arthnr
" This was a bitter pill for Japan
" Then, later, when Russia came dowl
" from the north, and took possession
of that port, Japan began preparing
!. for the conflict she saw ahead of her
a Later on Russia made movements In
dicating the intention of seizinI
Korea. Japan protested. Russia de
- MED any such intention and protest
- and denials flew back and fourth ur
+ til Japan's patience was exhausted
In the meantime Russia was rushin
N troops into Manchuria, instead O
getting out as she had promised a
~ fast as her railroad could carry then
~ One railroad 5000 miles long canno
:, carry troops as fast as people in
~ sgine, for 1t would take her fou
: months to carry 100000 troops
Manchuria at full capacity of tn
road and she has been more than tw
Iyears in reinforcing her army ther,
1t will tax this road now 10 kee
them supplied if the war SHOULD e,
. ltend for any length of time. Japa
2 is more than ten times as thickly POI
ulated as Ohio, and her people hay
been overflowing into Korea and st
Isees a direct menace in Russia
movements in that direction.
q. victory at Port Arthur is doub
satisfactory to japan.