The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-07-27
ARMIES MARK TIME.
PRACTICAL ARMISTiCE SEEMS
TO EXIST IN MANCHURIA.
Grave Ruriors in Washington Dip1o-
matte Circles that Peace Plans May
Miscarry y-Vladivostok Reported Sur
rounded by Jap Army and Navy.

The Japanese report that they have
possession of the southern half of the
island of Sakhalin. They will be mas
ters of the whole of ii soon, for there
cannot be large Russian force on the
island. Therefore one of the Japanese
conditions of peace will be that Russia
shall relinquish all claim to Sakhalin.
Probably the Russian plenipotenti;l-
rieS will not spend much time over the
proposition. The island has little value
for Russia apart from its proximity to
the Siberian coast. 1t has been used
only for the confinement of the most
dangerous criminals. Another convict
settlement will have to be established
The island was once held by Japan. but
Russia laid successful claim to it in
the days when she did much as she
pleased in northeastern Asia
If peace is not concluded speedily the
Japanese may lay claim by right of
possession to Russian territory on the
main land. 1t is reported that the Rus
sian forces in northern Korea have
Geen driven steadily backward during
the last month, and hold only two po-
sitions south of the Tumen River
which forms the boundary between
Korea and Siberia 1t cannot require
much of an effort on the part of the
Japanese to drive the Russians across
the river as far back as Vladivostok.
The state of affairs in Manchuria IS
such as to create the impression that
Linevitch and Oyama have an under
standing that there is to be no serious
fighting while the peace negotiations
are on. Reports come occasionally
from st. Petersburg of the growing
strength of the Russian army and its
desire to take the offensive, but it
makes no forward move. General
Oyama sends in no reports of prog
ress, and presumably he is simply
marking time and refraining from sac
rificing the lives of any of his men. 1t
may be that without any formal agree
ment there is practical armistice so
far as the Manchurian armies are con-
cerned.
Meanwhile. it is reported that Jap
anese army has been landed north Of
Nladivostok and the complete envelop-
ment of the fortress is imminent. Thus
Japan carries the war into undisputed
Russian territory on the mainland
Undoubtedly. too. a strong Japanese
fleet is outside Vladirostok. Japan's
Isavy has nothing else to occupy it az
the moment.
At least five battleships which the
russians tried to destroy before sur.
rendering Port Arthur will be added to
Japan's navy. \ naval officer return
nd to London from Port Arthur reports
that the damage done to the vital parts
Of the vessels by the explosives the
Iiussians applied is much less than
was anticipated.
There are grave rumOrs in Washing
ton official and diplomatic circles over
the interview accredited to NJ. Witte,
the head of the Russian peace com
mission, the portent of which is thai
the peace parleys will result in pro-
longation of the war instead of peace.
What gives this feeling strength is the
assertion that Witte has been instruct
ed by the Car personally not to enter
into any peace arrangements that will
lessen the prestige of Russia or ona
that will be Il further burden to her
people.
In the Japanese legation Minister
Takahira shook his head gloomily
when he was told of Whites declara-
ton
"Ahr he said "This looks as
though we might have our work for
nothing. Still. let us hope that NJ.
Witte has been misouoted."