The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-02-18
The Russian-Japanese War.

One year of the Russian-Ja Japanese War has
gone into history. On February 5, 1904, d.
plomatic relations between the two nations
came suddenly to an end. On February Z
Japan seized Masaupho, Korea, as military
base, and on February and were delivered
Togo's memorable blows to the Russian Ash
attic feet at Port Arthur. Thus, Just a year
ago the curtain went up on what since has
proved one of the worlds greatest war dramas.
The record is one of uninterrupted triumph
for Japan. The year has yielded a score of
battles, of greater or less importance. The
! story of each has been defeat for Russia.
Judged by the objects for which japan en-
tered the struggle, her task is practically com
plete. But Russia, humbled again and again,
remains obdurate. The var is not ended and
speak with authority, until the tide is turned
and Russia is mistress of the East, as she be-
lieved herself Just year ago.
Summary of the War.
The CAUsE:-Russia's fast and-loose policy
in Manchuria and her growing prestige in ko-
rea; Japan's fear that these influences were
not only hindering her expansion, but threat
ening even her national existence.
ARMIES AND LEADERs;--lt is estimated that
Japan. in all. has had ACC, 900 men afioat and
ashore; Russia about 800, 900. On land the
principal leaders have been; Russian. Gener-
ais Kuropatkin, Stoessel, Siackelberg. Line
witch and Mistchenko, the last named being
the commander of the Cossack forces; Japan,
Field Marshal Oyama and Generals kuroki,
Nogi, Nodzu and Oku. At sea, Admiral Togo
and Vice Admiral kamimura have divided
| the donors for Japan, the main Russian com.
manders being Vice Admirals MakaroH aud
Without and Rear Admiral Rojestvensky.
The Cosr IN MEN:-The total of killed in
the course of the year fighting is semiotiicial.
| " placed at l24. 596-65, 100 Japanese and
| SO, 596 Russians. The number Of wounded is
given as not less than 265, 900, the total cas-
ualties thus amounting to SS9, 500. OF their
more prominent leaders. Japan and Russia
have lost Generals Rutkozsky. kondrastenko
and Count Keller, Vice Admirals Makarofi
and Without, Lieutenant Commander Oda and
| Captain Stepanoff Also. Vassili Verestcha'
gin. the the Russian artist, went down with
/ the Petropavlovsk. and Lewis Etzel. the val
| correspondent, was shot while on duty.
| THE CoSr IN DOLLARS Russia 5 official fig
| ur~s show that up to November %, she had
| paid for war expenses Unloading credits then
outstanding 1854 600, 900; her total today Is
| not less than S462, O0O. 600. The cost to Japan
will approximate 1854, coo, 900. bringing III,
total for both nations to $50, 100000.
THE Cosr IN SHtFS:-Russia has lost thirty
| FIVE vessels OF war of all classes end japan
twenty three, as follows; RusSia-Balllsship:
1 Petropavlovsk, Retvizan, Pollsys, and Peres
/ Wet, sunk; Tsarevilch, disarmcd; Pobieda
| badly damaged; Sevastopol. blown up. Cruls
4 ers Boyarin, Bayan. PAlisda. Nariag. Rurk
| Rossia and Lena, sunk; Novik, Giliak ans
| Bogariy. ashore; Askold, Diana aud Gromo
! boi. disArsned Gunhoats, etc. korieiz anC
| Yenesel. sunk. and twelve others, including
I iorpeduboe;s aud desfroycrs. Japau-Bsnle
/ shin Hatsus-. sunk Cruisers Usiyako ans
I Saiyen aud Yushine, sunk. Also three trans
! ports sunk aud sixteen iorpessotoais o. de
| stroyerS
Lessons OF the War.
| Seine Of the practical lessons CLEANED from
the AcinRl warfare are these:
ID That ,orpedoboais are er4lt Of iSa
mense possibilities. capable Of even gresteT
development
| (2) THIS, the destroyer bss proved fail
IRE; OF The "a vessels # this type in ard be
fore Por, Arthur no, one made 5 biz.
49, That bsitirships are necessary 10 sue.
eessfal naval warfare.
az That team work IN armies, as eN-
eTnplifiea in The japanese movements, y =
matter Of primary importance.
(5) That short range fighting Is decidedly
no, thing Of the past. as had been believed
(6l That the use Of hand Errnades prom
ises TO introduce = uew and particularly horr'd
form Of attack and defense
CD That modern for;ihczilons are impveg
nabie 10 direct assault. however effective =
preliminary bonhaFdnen,-
(s) That the success failure Of sieses Of
nodernly fortified positions dePsaas upon the
effectiveness Of the engineer, uais9r snd sap
per-.
tsl ThNi The doaiiug mine = an iHgru
rurnt Of distraction against whfrh The most