Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-11-24
BOTH SIDES
HANG BACK.
NEITHER RUSSIANS NOR JAPA-
NESE READY TO ATTACK.

Armies Face Each Other Within Arm
Length--Reinforcements Coming TO
6oth--Wlnter Helps to Oelsy--Port
Arthur the Key--Russian Boat Es-
capes with Despatches--6lown Up
Afterwards--Stoesse Can Hold Out
Until March--Three Russian Squad
rons on the Way to Relieve Him.
The general situation in the Eastern war
remains unchanged. The northern armies
still face each other in close tou.h below
Mukden, each formidably intrenehed.
Neither appears ready or willing to take
the aggressive for any general movement.
The japanese evidently await the fall of
Port Arthur, which would release thou
sands from the besieging army, who could
be thrown 10 the support Of the northern
forces. The Russians are constantly being
reinforced from Europe, and since their
last failure to break through the line Of
their enemy hesitate to try again until
they have assembled an absolutely over
whelming force. Both countries are for
warding all the reserves that can be as
sembled, equipped and transported. There
have been some clashes OF the northern
armies at points along the Shakhe, but
without important results. The japanese
failed IN an attack on Lone Tree hill, the
holding OF which seems TO be a point OF
honor with the Russians. Further to the
eastward Il appears that what gains are
made are those OF the japanese. The Rus
SLAMS have retired from Da pass in that
locality. The weather is very cold, though
both armies seen prepared to Withstand
it's vigors. No further decisive actions
are anticipated in this quarter before
spring, unless the status elsewhere is DIS
turbed.
Port Arthur continues the key to the
situation. Its reduction is costing the
Japanese dear, IL the truth we're known,
and the obstinate way in which Gen.
Stoessel holds out moves the worlds
admiration. Until Port Arthur falls, the
japanese cannot be said to have cementcd
their hold on ultimate SUI cess.
Last week a Russian torpedo Destroyer
the Rastoropny, put in at Che roo, q
Chinese port, having run the blockade OF
Port Arthur. She bore important des-
patches TO the car. which were hled.
The Russians Immediately blew up their
boat 10 prevent its falling into the hands
Of the japanese, who had three destroyers
promptly on hand looking II up. That
SO desperate move should be made shows
the nature OF Gen. Stoessels messages.
The text OF these has not been given out,
but II i reported that they are ~ tn
main reassufing. Stoessel says he can
hold on until March is supplied with GER
tain munitions, which the Russians will
spare no effort to get through 10 him.
BY that time II is expected that the fate
OF Port Arthur will be determined by the
coming struggle for sea supremacy be-
tween the japanese navy and the Baltic
feet nov on It's way to tine East m three
suuadrons one via the ocean route, one
via the Suez canal aud the third TO follow
the latter route, having passed Denmark
toward the German ocean. III the Rus
SLAMS win this great fight, Port Arthur
will be relieved and the Japanese armies,
cut of from home, Will be IA sad plight.
II the japanese win, Port Arthur must
surrender, and Russia cannot expect to
triumph IN the end, depending alone on
what land forces she can assemble at the
north. At least this is true unless the
Japanese credit suffers a more serious
strain than it now promises to.