Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-02-03
WAR IN THE ORIENT.
POSSIBILITY THAT THE STRUG
GLE is NEARING AN END.
Taru by Industrial and Political Con-
xalsions, Russia May Make Peace
with Japan-Czar's Government Be

4wzeu ProverbiaI Devil and Deep Sea.
Eome of the Chicago papers proph-
rgy that the war between Russia
asd japan is nearing an end. The st.
Petersburg papers have been allowed
te print brief Paris dispatch ID the
effect that Gen. KOuropatkin had
aepcued negotiations with Field Mar
s5la! Oyama. This comes on the heels
IF the rumors which have been cur.
reat in the circles of high finance
a4aat peace was impending. If it was
ahc Intention Of Russia to place a new
89an in France the project has been
Temporarily abandoned. That may be
either because of Il determination to
End the war speedily, or because of
1iir troubles within the empire, which
make it an inopportune time to Dor
Eew.
After Port Arthur fell the Gar, in
asa address to his soldiers and sailors,
gaze them to understand plainly that
4he war was to go on until both army
aud navy had Wen victories. Since
elaen many things have happened.
Russia has been torn by industrial
aid political commissions. y strike
wave is spreading over the empire.
ihegc is bold and inSistent demand
Gor some measure of liberty and for
a national assembly. The evidences of
abe appropriately of the war are visi-
Ale on every side. The educated classes
beg that it cease The reservists on
flleir way to Manchuria escape from
Neir guards whenever possible.
1t has become Il serious question
how far Gen. KOurOpatllin can be re-
enforced without denuding the west
ern part of the empire of regular
troops that may he needed to cope
with possible domestic crises. Tens of
thousands Of reservists can be sent
Min. but they cannot be depended on.
There are abundant reasons why the
MAR party should change front and
seek for Il peace which it has been as
serting was impossible unless it IN ant
the submission of Japan. The state
ment of the Russian member G. the
North Sea commission made a month
temporary peace, during which she
would build Il navy and get ready for
new war may be verified.
II it were not for the rumOrs Of
Ecace the fighting in Manchuria last
week would claim more attention.
Gen. K0uropatkin pushed forward a
rcrpS on his right flank and Gen.
g., h..
ten. Nogi, took the offensive. There
was sharp fighting, for over Il thou
sand Russian wounded were sent to
Nukden. The japanese claim Il vic
tory and the Russians say they were
successful The sudden activity after
weeks Of comparative reposc may be
she pretude of Il spring campaign
il there is to be one.
The main fighting has been at thu
west end OF the armicS-that is, on TIL
Russian right and the Japanese left
though SllirmiSheS are reported ON the
extreme east and we are also spcciti-
raliy told that the artillery firing has
been heaviest in the center.
IL il were not for the temperature.
which is below zero, it would be easy
To believe that the decisive battle was
rev beginning, but how Il battle,
which must necessarily be of many
days duration, can be fought when
she fighters are freezing their hands
ga.i feet. and when the wounded will
almost certainly die of exposure lc-
s0re they can be succoreu, it is hard
> ,l,,N,.
TuederateS the engagement may he on.
If Kouropatkin is taking the often
sivc his decision may be due Their to
Eis conviction that he is in better pc.
sitiou to fight the Japanese now thaH
Ae can hope to he at amy time later
during the wear. Or it may be due to
pressure from st. Petersburg insisting
that he create Il diversion and give
the Russians at home something to
wrow excited over besides thoughts Of
revolution. 1t may even be that l\ou-
rwpatkin feels that it is essential that
he get his army actively engaged be-
fore it hears the news of the bloody
I'd of January, lest that news. per-
Maps in exaggerated form, may excite
Il almost to point of revolt
Iapan. it is reported from Toxic.
AxS begun to lay down a battleship of
5000 tons. The tonnage is probably
Nrougly given. for the largest battle
ships now aioat or building do not
reach 1900 tons. 1t is also stated that
> fifth army. to be under the COM
nand of Lieutenant General kawa-
asura. is being organized. The purpose
sf tue army is not mentioned but one
Pslurally thinks of Nladivostok.
whether serious siege of that for
4fpSS is contemplated or not, feint
agaiuSt it ON large scale is not i'm
$yobable. with view to bringing new