The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-02-26
THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

nIEn
THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
War has now been in progress for
about three weeks. So far, there has
been hardly anything but reverses for the
Russians. At the beginning, the fleets
of the respective antagonists were about
|eqnal in strength. To-day, if we should
believe all the telegraphic reports, Rus
sia must have lost from six to eight more
battleships than she ever had at the be-
ginning. At least, Russia has SO few
left, that she has lost all power on the
sea in the far east, and is trying hard to
get her Black Sea fleet out through the
Dardanelles to the scene of action. This
she will not be able to do under the
treaties in existence, except by a fragrant
breach. which other powers may resent.
Meantime the Japanese vessels are pa
trolling the sea around Korea and every
once in while 60 in and hammer at
Port Arthur. The affairs on land are
apparently coming to head In the near
future. Japan, having cleared the sea of
the Russian battleships, is able without
hindrance to rush her armies across to
Korea and has large number of men
there now. Both armies will probably
meet at or near the Yalu river, which is
the boundary between Korea. and Man
churia. 1t looks as it the Japanese in
tended going across Korea in both di-
rections, and cutting the railway from
Siberia and thus isolate the eastern ter
mini, Kladivostock and Port Arthur,
and then beseige both these places by
land and sea. Meantime the Russian
general-in-chiet has removed his head
quarters from Port Arthur back several
hundred miles to Hardin, which is the
Junction point OF the Siberian railway in
Manchuria.
Present dispatches say that both the
Russians and Japs are giving out reports
that they will not try to do anything more
for the present, but will wait for warm
weather. This, we think. is Just intend:
ed to deceive the other; doubtless the
cold weather that ls prevalent there a,
this time Of year may make some differ.
ence in the rapidity of the movement ol
troops, but that we will hear Of battles in
short time is almost certain.
Much curiosity is expressed as to the
outcome Of the lend fighting. Not alto.
gether unexpectedly, the Japs have prov
en- themselves superior to the Russians
on the sea. but it is yet an open question
if they are as good on the land.
Anyway, as itnow stands, Japan has
in her possession all the territory that she
is fighting for, though the Russians oc-
cupy Manchuria, which the Japanese
have declared Russia must vacate.
Another war cloud is in the sky and
may break out st any time. Albania is
in state of armed insurrection with Tur.
key, while Bulgaria is just watching the
moves of other nations before beginning
hostilities with Turkey.
Some very delicate questions OF neut-
rality are beng brought to the attention
Of the powers. A Russian ship in a
Chinese port refuses to come out to sea
and become the prize Of a Japanese war
ship that is waiting her appearance out.
side the port. International law only
gives twenty-four hours for belligerent
ships 60 remain in neutral harbors, but
the Russian ship refuses to leave. China
has no means of enforcing the Russian
to go to sea. and the Jap may take this
asa reason for Invading the port and
capturing the Russian. Frei:ch men of
war in the harbor may refuse to allow
this, English and possibly American
men-of-war may side with the Jap, and
thus international complications arise
that might not end until all Of them were
fighting. 8s3: 4
AS q mercantile measure Of the probav
bilities, the price Of wheat touched s1.O8
in Chicago on Tuesday and the prices Of
provisions have been going upwards all
theweek