Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-02-09
WAR IN THE ORIENT.
POSSIBILITY THAT THE STRCG
GLE is NEARING AN END.
Torn by Industrial and Political Con-
vulsions, Russia May Make Peace
with Japan-CZar's Government Be-

Some Of the Chicago papers proph-
esq that the war between Russia
and Japan is nearing an end. The st.
Petersburg papers have been allowed
to print a brief Paris dispatch to the
effect that Gen. Kouropatkin had
! opened negotiations with Field Mar
shall Oyama. This comes on the heels
of the rumors which have been cur
rent in the circles Of high finance
! that peace was impending. If it was
| the intention of Russia to place new
loan in France the project has been
! temporarily abandoned. That may be
either because of a determination to
! end the war speedily, or because Of
the troubles within the empire, which
make it an inopportune time to Dor
row.
After Port Arthur fell the Gar, in
! an address to his soldiers and sailors,
gave them to understand plainly that
! the war was to go on until both army
J and navy had won victories. Since
| then many things have happened.
! Russia has been torn by industrial
and political commissions. A strike
wave is spreading over the empire.
There is a bold and insistent demand
for some measure Of liberty and for
national assembly. The evidences Of
the unpopularity of the war are visi-
bic on every side. The educated classes
beg that it cease. The reservists on
their way to Manchuria escape from
their guards whenever possible.
1t has become serious question
how far Gen. Kouropatkin can be re-
enforced without denuding the west
ern part Of the empire Of regular
troops that may be needed to cope
with possible domestic crises. Tens Of
thousands Of reservists can be sent
him. but they cannot be depended on.
There are abundant reasons why the
war party should change front and
seek for a peace which it has been as
sorting was impossible unless it meant
the submission of Japan. The state
ment of the Russian member Of the
North Sea commission made a month
q
temporary peace, during which she
would build navy and get ready for
a new war may be verified.
If it were not for the rumOrs of
peace the fighting in Manchuria last
week would claim more attention.
Gen. Kouropatkin pushed forward a
corps on his right flank and Gen.
Oyama. who has been REINFORCED by
Gen. Negi, took the offensive. There
was sharp fighting, for over a thou
sand Russian wounded were sent to
Mukden. The Japanese claim a vic
tory and the Russians say they were
successful. The sudden activity after
weeks Of comparative repose may be
the prelude Of a spring campaign
if there is to be one.
! The main fighting has been at the
west end Of the armies-that is, on the
russian right and the Japanese left
though skirmishes are reported On the
extreme east, and we are also specif-
cally told that the artillery firing has
been heaviest in the center.
: If it were not for the temperature,
which is below zero, it would be easy
to believe that the decisive battle was
now beginning, but how a battle,
which must necessarily be Of many
days duration, can be fought when
the fighters are freezing their hands
and feet, and when the wounded will
almost certainly die Of exposure be-
fore they can be succored, it is hard
to see. Nevertheless, if the weather
moderates the engagement may be On.
! If Kouropatbin is taking the often
sive his decision may be due either to
lis conviction that he is In better po
sition to fight the Japanese now than
he can hope to be at any time later
during the year. Or it may be due to
pressure from st. Petersburg insisting
that he create a diversion and give
the Russians at home something to
grow excited over besides thoughts of
revolution. 1t may even be that kOu-
ropatkin feels that it is essential that
he get his army actively engaged be-
fore it hears the news Of the bloody
ODD of January, lest that news. per-
haps in exaggerated form, may excite
It almost to point of revolt.
Japan, it is reported from Toxic
has begun to lay down a battleship Of
! 10000 tons. The tonnage is probably
! wrongly given, for the largest battle
ships now afoat or building do not
reach 1900 tons. It is also stated that
fifth army, to be under the COM
mand of Lieutenant General kawa-
| nlura, is being organized. The purpose
Of the army is not mentioned, but one
naturally thinks of Nladiyostok.
! Whether a serious siege Of that for
tress is contemplated or not, feint
against it on large scale is not i'm
| probable, with a view to bringing new
confusion into Kouropatkin's plans.
! Nothing is known of the where
abouts Of the Russian feet. 1t is hid
| den somewhere in the Indian ocean
awaiting re-enforcements which may
uever be sent.
The Money of the World.
On Dec. 81, 1908 the aggregate stock