PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 148, 23 June 1904, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Events are now matching quickly on the battlefield of Manchuria, and still tho fortune of war is against the Russian eagles. As -nas pointed oufr yesterday, Nodzu was rapidly moving west to intercept tho twice beaten army of Stackelberg, while Oko was hard upon his rear. Tho Russians finally defeated by these combined forces, the united armies might bo expected to movo north, and, joining hands with Kuroki's first army, atuick tho Haicheng position preliminary to tho investment of Liaoyang. But it would appear from- tho news of to-day that tho Japanese headquarters stuff decided that Nodzu was strong enough and sufficiently well posted to hold Slacktlberg hiU-mless, and tliat Oko should move north to mc«t any force that might bo moving south f i om Liuoynng to cither succour btackelberg or force the hand of Kuroki. Kuropalkin, with one of these objects, did, it appeals, >lauiich a strong column from Liuoyang, and this, according to to-day's news, has been signally defeated by the united- forces of Kuroki and Oko, the Rwsians. being driven back upon Liuoyang, and, as the despatch acids, "per- ' Imps beyond." If so, Kuroki, whose right, wing was posted in tho passes east of Liuoyang, has apparently turned the Russian think and compelled the retreating column to make n detour past the fortivias on tho open country to the west. If this be so, 't would seeon that KuropaAkin, who personally directed the movement, may now be in full retreat towards Mukden. The mmour rhftt Liaoyang has fallen need hardly be considered, but it may bo "Ladysmithed," which means that it must stand a siego with all communications absolutely cut. Tho same will apply to tho Haicheng position to the i>oulh, which is much more vulnerable. It may bo assumed that Haicheng can be taken at small cost, but Liaoyang should be strong enough as to armament, garrison, and commissariat to stand a prolonged siege. On the other hand, should Port Arthur fall and its besieging army bo set free, the Japanese superiority in numbers, with the sea as a secure base, should admit of Liaoyang being easily masked by an absolutely effective force —leaving not less than 150,000 men free to move northward to Mukden, and thence to Kharbin, where Kuropatkin, according to appearances, may yet have- to contend for Russia in the lust struggle of tho present campaign.