Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-11


Nervousness over the situation at the
front seems to be increasing since the
Occupation by the Japanese of the Wolf
Hills. before Port Arthur. 1t is admit
ted that the besiegers have an elevated
vosition whence emplaced guns can
command the fortress and while still
protesting confidence that Gen. Stoessel
will be able to hold out with his COM
paratively small garrison against the
enormous number of the attackers and
their evident disregard of men. indicat-
cd by the reckless manner in which
they stormed the outer positions. the
state of affairs creates more apprehen-
sion than the war office or admiralty
care to acknowledge.
Similar misgivings exist regarding
Gen. Kuropatkins position. the adj
vantages of the new Japanese base at
New Chwang in greatly simplifying the
problem of provisioning their army be-
ing fully realized. But. it is the report
that the Japanese are working up west
ward of the main Russian army which
occasions the greatest uneasineSs. Inc
rumor that they are moving up To-
wards Simintin. a short distance west
Of Mukden. from New Chwang is gen.
orally believed.
with the Japanese Gordon Tightening
south and east and column threaten
ing the Russian line of Communica-
tions in the rear towards Mukden, the
appearance of the japanese on the
other side of Mukden would almost
pocket Gen. kuropatkin if he has re-
solved to accept battle with his whole
army at Lao Yang. Shrewd military
attaches are extremely doubtful.
whether Gen. Kuropatkin could now
withdraw II he so decided. Another
alarming feature of the situation in
connection with the Japanese western
column Is the report that it includes
many Chinese. who are japanese sub
jects. from the island of Formosa
whose influence on the local Chinese
and the soldiers of Gen. Ma and Vice
row Yuanshikai is feared.
st. Petersburg. Aug. 10.-Empe rol
Nicholas has received dispatches from
Cen. Kuropatkn. dated Aug. ant
Aug. O. mentioning n few minor recon
naissances. but saying that there ha!
been no particular changes in the 20
sitions on either the east or soutf
fronts. On .he south the Japanese ad
vance posts are nine miles north o
Hal Cheng Daily fusillades occur be-
tween the Russian and japanese out
posts.
Gen. Kuropatkin points out the f'c
that the Japanese are using bullets o
different calibra. some with nickel and
others with copper coverings. showing
that their reserve men are now in the
fighting line.
st. Petersburg. Aug. 1o.-The Russian
reply to Great Britain's representation
on the subject of the sinking of the Brit
ish steamer Knight Commander by the
vladivostok squadron. while couched II
the friendliest terms, does rot reced'
from the Russian position in regard t'
the exercise of the right to destroy neu
trail vessels carrying contraband in cas'
Of emergency. reserving the question fo'
discussion after the war. At the same
fine Russia assures Great Britain tina
the extreme recourse to sinking neutra
vessels will not be resorted to unless cir
cumstances render 1t impossible to TAX
them to a prize court.
The reply in the case of the knigh
Commander points out that the priz
regulations under which Russia is acting
were promulgated nine years ago ant