Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-04-13
ONE WEEK OF WAR.
CARS ARMY IN APPARENTLY
HELPLESS ACTIVITY.
Japan Has Won Another Great Victory,
Not on the ManchUrian Battlefieids,
but in the Worlds Financial Capitals
New Loan Floated.

New Loan Floated.
During the past week Japan has won
another great victory over Russia.
This time, however, it was not on a
battlefield i'll Manchuria, but in the
worlds financial capitals. At the very
time when Russia has been laboriously
endeavOring to induce French bankers
to make her a new loan, and when she
is striving to keep her spirits up by
talking cheerfuly about that most de-
ceptive thing, Russian internal loan,
Japan at the mere asking has fioated
a $15000O,00O loan in London and
New York on much better terms than
her previous war loans, and at that she
has seen her Offering of bonds almost
ten times OverSubScribed.
If the Russian government were at
all open to reason, a situation like this,
following hard upon the crushing de-
feat Of Mukden, would give ample
grounds to credit the peace talk that
has been heard during the past week.
Unfortunately however, it appears
that Russia, from being unwilling to
talk peace at all, has progressed only
far enough to be willing to talk peace
on her own terms. She has not yet
been taught to know her Japan.
Upon that very weak reed, Rojest-
vensky, Russia now seems inclined to
lean, which is Il fair indication that
the Linevitch reed must be even weak
err. ROjestyensky sailed from Nosse
Be March Is. and the latest squadron
from Russia sailed from Suez March
26, apparently to join him. Japanese
scout ships are known to be watch.
ing all the main passages to the East
from the Indian Ocean, but where Ad-
miral Togo and his fighting fleet are
we have no hint. Th2re may be a
great sea fight soon. or it may be de-
ferred till Rojestvensky reaches Far
Eastern waters, if he ever reaches
them.
Dispatches from Toxic indicate that
Oyama's army is gradually moving
and east of the railroad are reported
at positions that seem to be on the
average about twenty-five miles north
Of where they were 4 week or ten days
ago. st. Petersburg dispatches express
fear that another enVeloping move
ment has begun.
The Russian army has remained in
apparently hopeless inactivity at
Sipinghai, seventy-four miles north of
Tie pass. The Japanese forces ara
known to be enveloping this position,
for one column of their troops has been
discovered twentyseven miles north
east, while another column is known
to be advancing nOrthward west Of the
railroad. Already the Japanese center
has advanced so far northward that its
guns have been bombarding the Rus
sian rear guard since Wednesday.
Unofficial dispatches from Gunshu
pass indicate Oyama's strategy. He
is menacing Kirin with his right wing
and advancing his left west of the
railroad in an apparent endeavOr to
reach the Sungari river before Line
witch begins his inevitable retreat after
the battle which he is now about to
begin.
Apparently it is the intention of the
Japanese to waste none of the days or
Of
lively good roads which are left to
them. After the thaws come. rapid
marching and the prompt movement Of
heavy guns will be out Of the ques-
ton.
Gen. Linevitch's purpose in making
a stand at Sipinghai is not under
stood, even in st. Petersburg, where il
is frankly admitted that he is largely
outnumbered by Oyama's advancing
forces. Yet st. Petersburg takes a
cheerful view of the situation. 1t is
declared that the Russian losses at
Mukden have been exaggerated and
that many of the prisoners taken by
the Japs were non-cOmbatants. I'm.
doubtedly Gen. Linevitch is daily re-
ceiving reinforcements. But it is
question whether he will be able to
Withstand the Japanese pressure. II
he should evacuate his present posi-.
tons there is no place between them
and Hardin where he can make q
stand with any hope of escaping enor.
nous losses Of men and guns.