New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-17
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

The war I'm Manchuria really seems TO De
making progress despite the casionai nlghts
of wild ducks from the purleus OF Shahsh
The story of the annihiation or thlrty tiou-
sand japanese at Port Arthur seemed lncreuioio
upon the face OF it. though II is SAID 10 INV
met with many believers. The latest ana NUS
trustworthy Information is that 1t was enlileis
groundless, and it is contemporary auoeu .na'
IT is supposed TO have originated at Shanghai
Nothing more TO its discredit than that couid Dc
said The truth seems TO be that the Japanese
have been drawing their lines more closely anu
more strongly around Port Arthur. with mini
mum of losses Just how close they nave come
10 Port Arthur does not appear. 1t seems scarce
" possible that they have gained possession OF
any OF the series of forts forming a continuous
row at the east OF the city. If such is the case,
all they have 10 do is TO bring up siege guns
and Port Arthur will be at their mercy, for
those forts are less than two miles from the
centre of the city. The fact that their new
landing place is at Sao-Ping Tau, or Bluff
Beyan would seem, however, TO indicate that
they are still some distance from Port Arthur
for Bluff Bevan is fifteen miles away from that
goal of their desire.
AT the north the Japanese are operating be-
tween KaiPing and Hai-Cheng in somewhat
peculiar maner. The armies Of Generals Oku
and Nodzu appear 10 have effected Junction
is following the flank OF the Black Mountain, at
the east of the railroad, and is moving north
ward TO attack the Russian left wing. while the
other has crossed over 10 the west of the rail
road and is moving up the coast in the direction
OF Ying-Kow and threatening the Russian right
wing. Between the two there is said TO be an
open gap, which 1t is probably quite safe TO
leave, for the Russians would scarcely venture
10 push forward into ii between the two Japan
csc armies. A NapoleOnic general in command
of the Russian army might, with dashing
movement, crush one Of the japanese divisions
before the other could cooperate with II, and
then turn againstNthe second and annihilate II;
but, with all his great reputation and unqres
toned ability General KurOpatkin dOes not
seem TO have been cast in Napoleonic mould.
At sea all is uncertainty, save this one thing
that the Vladivostok squadron is uncommonly
well managed. If the Bogatyr has indeed been
repaired-as she may well have BEEN for there
are ample docks and workshops at VladivOstok
the squadron again consists OF four Of the
most efficient cruisers in the world, and is ca
pabe of giving the Japanese much trouble. At
present il looks though the japanese had de-
SPARED Of capturing or destroying those ships
until they can use Admiral Togo's fleet for the
purpose, and, OF course. they cannot do that
until the Russian fleet at Port Arthur is dis
posed of. 1t looks also as if they had given up
hope Of dispOsing of the Port Arthur fleet by
direct attack, hut were waiting for the capture
OF Port Arthur itself by land attack. Then OF
course the fleet will have 10 come out and fight
for its life and If Admiral Togo vanquishes It
he should be able TO do, he will then be free
TO deal with the VladivostOk squadron. That
too he should be able 10 do, If his losses at
Port Arthur are not too heavy.