Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-08-11

sea is expected. Admiral Sab, of the
Chinese imperial navy. arrived here
last night from the Mao Tao islands.
He says the firing Monday night at
Port Arthur was heavy all night long.
Further firing, according to the admir-
al, was heard yesterday afternoon.
Women Carry Water.
Liao Yang. Aug. 11.-A Port Arthur
refugee just arrived here says the
defenders of the fortress remain all
day at their posts despite the dread
full heat The women are herOically
carrying water to the parched soldiers
although not a single space within the
perimeter of the fortress is free from
bullets and bursting shells. He says
the Russians lost 800 and the Japa-
nese 10000 when the latter attacked
the Russian positions July %.
KuropntI1In NithdraVvs.
St. Petersburg, Aug. II, 1 a. NIT
is reported that Gen. Kuropatkln has
withdrawn the bulk of his army from
Lao Yang, leaving only rear guard,
and that he is moving toward Mukden.
Russian Fleet Gives Battle.
London, Aug. 1.-The Russian fleet
escaped from Port Arthur yesterday
morning and attempted to reach the
open sea, pursued by the Japanese
squadron. A naval battle followed
which continued all day. The results
are not vet known. simultaneously
with the news of the escape of the
Port Arthur fleet comes two dispatch
es from ST. Petersburg, one declaring
that Gen. Kuropatkin has met with a
serious defeat and the other asserting
that with the bulk of his army he is
retreating north from Liao Yang. The
news of the escape of the Port Arthur
fleet was brought to Chefoo this morn
ing by a Russian torpedo boat de-
stroyer which entered that port.
Speculate on Peace.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 11.-DiscOunt-
ing in the fall of Port Arthur and the
disastrous defeat of Gen. Kuropatkin
by the Japanese armies, diplomats
here already are speculating upon the
situation in which the cOmbatants
would be left and the question as to
whether it is possible that a way
would be opened for peace.
The almost unanimous opinion is
that with her present record of vic |
tories, combined with the financial
diculty of continuing the war indefi |
niteIy, Japan would welcome peace, |
and the almost equally unanimous YER
dict is that Russia would adopt CON
trary course.
Even should every Russian soldier
be driven out of Manchuria, the diplo-
mats believe that Russia could not af-
ford to yield, but would be compelled
to dOggedly continue the war, collect
another army in Siberia, and take the
offensive next year
Powers May Force Peace.
Several keen diplomats. however,
are of the opinion that Japan by a
clever coup in the event of Kuropat
kin being routed might perhaps force
the powers to intervene in a way that
Russia could not resist. One diplO-
mat representing a European power at
the court of Emperor Nicholas said:
Secretary Hays note opening a
way for the guarantee for the admin
istrative entity of China. to which all
the powers subscribed in principle. |
may. after all, become the means of
bringing about peace. If Japan, push |
ing the Russian military forces out of
Manchuria and obtaining undispUted
possession, should then formally relin- |
quish the province to China, its real
owner, and call upon the powers under
their guarantee to protect the entity
of the celestial empire, l do not think
the powers could escape responsible |
ity."