The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-02-16
FIRST YEAR Of THE
WAR IN THE FAR EAST
Thus Far Russia Has Met With
Remarkable Series of
ReYerses.

that tlay the japanese Minister at ST.
Petersburg, NJ. Kurino, was with
drawn and the main fleet of Japan.
under Adm raj II ehatcha Togo, sailed
from the naval base at Sasebo to at
tack Port Arthur and the Russian
squadron at Chemulpo
It viii be recalled that the negotia-
tions, the failure of which resulted in
the war, were begun in July, 1903.
when japan besought Russia for a
friendly adjustment of their mutual
interests in Manchuria and Korea.
Russia, preserving the semblance of
peaceful intentions, agreed to take up
the question, Japan asked:
1. A mutual agreement to respect
the independence and territorial in
tegrity of China and Korea.
2. Equality for the commerce of all
nations in those countries.
3. Recognition of Japan's prepond-
Grating interests in Korea and of Rus
sia's special interests in railway enter
prises in Mapchuria.
4. Recognition by Russia of the ex-
clusiye right by Japan to give ADVICE
and assistance TO Korea in the interest
of good government.
5. An agreement by Russia not to
impede an eventual extension of the
Korean railway into Southern Man
churia.
Russia delayed her answers and
when she finally gave them, from time
to time, they were worded in such a
manner that Japan could get nothing
satisfactory out of them. She made
a counter proposal that Japan recog-
nize Manchuria as outside the Japan
csc sphere of influence and that
neutral zone. which would greatly
restrict Japan, be established in Ko-
rea. As to Manchuria and the ques-
tiOns of the integrity of China and
Korea, she held that her previous
declarations to those two powers were
enough. Meanwhile troops were be-
ing sent to the Yalu.
The negotiations dragged along
from July, 1903, until February, 1904,
and Japan was still unable to get sat
isfaction. The statesmen in Toxic at
last came to believe that there was
DO hope and that Japan must either
| fight at once or wait for Russia to
| bring on the war at her own conYen-
fence. 1t was then February g NJ.
Kurino, the ia oanese Minister at st.
Petersburg, was withdrawn and Jap
an took steps to strike the first blow
where it would be effective.
The results of the wars first year
may be summarized as follows
Destruction of the Russian naval
power in the Orient. Only a few
cruisers>et Vladivostok remain of all
the great fleet which the Car mad
there in February, 1904
Capture of Port Arthur aftera seven
months siege,
! Victorious advance of the japanese
army from Chemulpo through Korea
and Manchuria to the Hun rivers Is
miles below Mukden.
japanese occupation of Ninchwang
and all Southern Manchuria.
The losses in men are conserva-
lively estimated as follows:
Russians-20, killed or died of
disease; 100000 wounded 10000 cap
turedGncluding "a, 900 at Port Arthur.)
Japanese-15,0 600 killed or died of
disease, $4,000 wounded; 1000 captur-
ed.
Though Russia has been beaten so
badly, there is no evidence that she
has abandoned hope of final victory.
The movements now in prospects are:
Struggle in the spring or earlier on
the plains below Mukden, between
the armies of General Kuropatkin and
Field Marshal Oyama, who have
about 800, 900 men each.
Consolidation of the divisions of the
Baltic fleet in the neighborhood of
Madagascar and its movement to the
Far East to dispute once more with
japan the question of naval suprem-
acy.
Russia's present internal troubles
have proved an important develop
ment which was not foreseen. But as
the autocracy is still in the saddle,
and its prestige.Is involved in the
war, there is no apparent likelihood of
its abandoning the conflict.
! Mid-WInter Tours to Washington.
Thursdays, FebruarY9th and March
23rd, only So 10 round trip from Oak
land. On above dates tickets will be
sold for all regular trains, valid re-
turning ten days, including date of
sale.
A beautiful and artistic Guide to
Washington, profusely illustrated
and complete in detail, with con-
venient reference map, can be OBJ
tanned at all ticket agencies of the b
g. o. r., II. for ten cents per COPY