Oakes Republican. (Oakes, N.D.) 1898-1906, 1904-02-19
Japs VIII, Grab Port Arthur.

Japs Will Grab Port Arthur.
+ The view that the Japanese will in
the meantime be able to occupy Port
Arthur is chiefly based on the latest
information, that the Russian, guns
cannot be brought to bear on any
force landing at Pigeon bay, which Is
on the western side of Port arthur,
and it is believed that the Japanese
admiral will follow tactics almost ex-
actly similar to those intended to be
pursued at Santiago, the troops storm
ing the batteries in the rear while the
Japanese feet lies waiting for the
ships Of Viceroy Alexietf, who. in the
event of a land attack being success
full, must either make a dash for lib
erty with his crippled feet OF fight
where they are against
Practically Hopeless Odds.
The British government has infor-
nation which leads it to believe that
Japan is likely to be in possession Of
Port Arthur a week from now. In the
best informed Japanese circles here
1t is privately thought that the war
will be over in July. Those British Of
fctals who are cognizant Of the ex-
traordinary thoroughness with which
japan prepared for the war are in
cl1ned to share the Japanese view re-
gardfng the duration of the struggle.
Looks Bad for Russia.
A dispatch from Pekin says:
Officials, military men and diplo-
mats here are Of the opinion that
Russia's position is almost hopeless.
They say that the tides of diplomacy
and war steadily are flowing against
her, and that she may decide more
easily than any one can foresee to
seek pacific issue out of her
troubles. Japan appears to be mis-.
tress of the sea in every critical quar-
ter, and she is landing troops in
Gorea without let or hindrance. These
forces promptly are being followed
by large quantities of war material,
provisions and medical stores. There
is no doubt that the Japanese will be
able to laAd q force in Manchuria the
moment they decide that strategically
it is prudent to begin land operations
against part Arthur
Japanese Vessel Is Sunk.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese min
lister here, has received dispatch
from Toxic announcing that on Feb.
IL two Japanese merchant steamers,
the Nakanoura Maru and Zensh0
Maru, while on their way from SAX.
alta to Otaru ION the island of Hok-
kaido) were surrounded and shelled
by four Russian warships, presumably
the vladivostok squadron, off the
coast of Herunshi (OKushiri). The
Nakanoura Maru was sunk, but the
Zensho Maru escaped and arrived
safely at Fukuyama.
Russians Try to Enthuse.
Harbin, .Manchuria, Feb. IA. - The
announcement of the mobilization Of
Russian troops has been received by
the population Of this town with en-
thus:asm and there is tranquility and
confidence IN the power Of Russia.
The japanese have.left the town.
Heavy Firing Heard At Sea.
Tien-tsin, Feb. H. - It is reported
from Chin-Wang-Tao (about $50 miles
northeast Of here) that heavy firing
has been heard at sea and 1t is in
ferred That another engagement has
taken place.
Carry No ccntraband Of War.
Vancouver, B. c., Feb. IA. = The
British war Office yesterday notified
the Canadian, Paatic that no contra
band of war must be carried by the
naval reserve steamers to Japan. Sew
eral hund4el tons Of barley for Japan.
which had already bsen placed aboard
the e:esn:e: Empress Of China, was
taken off Immediately and the vessel
will sail with very light cargo.
Russian Students Called Home.
Berlin. Feb. 14.-The Russian stu.