The Washington times., 1904-02-14
JAPAN HAS SWEPT
ALL BEFORE HER
One Week Of War Disas-
trOus for Russian Arms.
A GREAT BATTLE is NEAR
Port Arthur May Be Occupied and
Communication With Mainland Cut
0f-Strength of Armies.

In few wars have events marched so
rapidly as those which have marked the
Russo-Japanese clash during the past
week. Some military experts are OF the
opinion that the issue has already been
settled in favor OF Japan while others
insist that no clear idea can be gained
of the relative strength OF the two ma
tions until their armies have met on
land. Japan's superiority on the sea ap-
pears TO have been established. but the
vast horde of soldiers OF the Car are
yet to be tried. and history has shown
what indomitabie lighters they are.
First Moves.
Last Friday week Russia's reply TO
Japan's note was telegraphed from ST.
Petersburg to viceroy Aiexieff at Port
Arthur It's tenor was evidently or an
unsatisfactory nature. as the following
day. after it's receipt at Tokyo. Baron
de Rosen. the Russian minister. de-
manded his passports. He bade fare
well to the Japanese court and prepared
TO leave
On Sunday NJ. Kurino. the Japanese
minister at st. Petersburg. was recalled
by telegraph. ara Immediately went
70 Germany in the special train which
had been in waiting for several DAYS. At
the same time the Gar sent peremptory
orders to Baron dc Rosen and his staff
to leave Tokyo.
Naval Battle.
Then war actually broke out and in no
uncertain fashion. On either Sunday or
Monday-dispatches differ as &C dates
( four Japanese torpedo boats made a
/ lightning dash at the Russian feet al
Port Arthur. Two battieships and one
1 or t,e.r- IL
pedo boats were sunk before they could
escape. Masampho, the port on the Ko-
1 rean channel. was seized and occupied
as garrison. Its strategic Importance
TO its japanese captors can scarcely be
/ estimated At the same time japanese
/ disguised as coolies blew up a portion
OF the Manchurian railroad, thereby cut
/ ting OF Russian communication with
Port Arthur
Troops Landed
I On Monday a Japanese squadron Of
Fifteen bdttleships and cruisers bon
barded Port Arthur. One Russian bat
! tleship and three cruisers were dts
abied- During the two naval engage.
ments the battleships Retvizan and
CZareviteh and the cruisers Pallada
and Diana were torpedoed. and the bat
tleship POltava and the cruisers Asko.d
and Novfk were disabled by bombs
On Wednesday it was reported that
three transports. all merchant voIun-
teers. carrying 5000, Russian troops.
we're captured by japanese ships, and
the troops made prisoners of war Ii
was said that the Russian Baltic n e
! had sailed for the Far East. but later
this story was denied
Advancing Vorth
On Thursday Japanese troops in large
F! numbers were landed at ChemulDO. the
port Of Seoul, without opposition. with
the intention of occupying the Koran
capital The Russian prisoners were
sent to Shanghai.
| Yesterday the japanese plan OF cam
paign was indicated by the advance OF
troops toward the Yalu River II was
expected that there they wosid meet
and engage the Russian land forces
The Japanese objective point was said
/ to be Mukden. From thence the Japar
csc army hoped TO proceed diagonaliy
and cut off communication between
Port Arthur and the mainland If Man
churia. The occupation of the city was
expected to follow. A great battle
seemed imminent