PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 22 October 1904, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

There is nothing from the Manchurian front to-day that invites comment, and we may look for many days of comparative quiet in that direction ere the big guns boom the prelude to another battle. It is significant that this lull marks the renewal of active operations against Port Arthur, where the besiegers are reported as having captured a railway bridge and heights near, and within 500 yards respectively of the Erlungshan Fort, thus curtailing the Russian fire which impeded the approach to the slopes and trenches of that position. Writing from Chefoo under date 11th September, The Times correspondent said:— "General Nogi's next assault on Port Arthur will be directed against Erlungshan and Kikwanshan forts. This information is derived from an unquestionable authority, who has just concluded a visit to the entire Japanese line round the fortress. The hills connected by these forts have regular stopping places, enabling a large Japanese force to rest securely some distance up the slope. The force has tents pitched, and troops are relieved every three days. Food, ammunition, etc., are brought up by the troops under cover of darkness, as detachments have to cross a level Btretch before reaching safety. Trenches almost under the Russian noses are partially constructed. The Russians constantly endeavour to level the incline by shelling all projections affording any shelter to attackers. The Japanese engage the Russian guns to prevent the coyer from being destroyed. Two full divisions are available in this vicinity under Generals Oshima and Tuchiya. The entire force surrounding Port Arthur numbers 80,000 fighting men." "The Russians are now exclusively using powder which has evidently been manufactured in Port Arthur, the smoke of which enables the instant detection of the source of fire. The explosive power of this powder is much less than that of the smokeless powder, which now seems exhausted. The Russian shells are frequently discovered to be old Chinese projectiles, filed down to suit the Russian guns. Erlungshan and Kikwanshan, like the majority of the other 51 forts surrounding Port Arthur, have 6in loop-holed steel shields, with quickfiring guns at intervals. It is these guns, according to my informant, and not the land mines which have proved so disastrous to the Japanese." The losses suffered by the besiegers during ■the five weeks preceding 11th September, according to The Times correspondent, reached 20,000. This is a tremendous sacrifice for five weeks' work. There will be tens of thousands of desolate homes in Japan by the time the Russian stronghold is captured. In its issue of the 14th September, the Paris Journal reports: — "General Stoessel has informed the Viceroy Alexiefi that the situation at Port Arthur is critical. There is no meat, only a small supply of flour, and not enough ammunition for a long resistance. Preparations have been made to blow up the fortifications and part of the town in case the Japanese assault succeeds. The garrison still counts on the arrival of an army of relief." The garrison can hardly count on relief now if it is aware of what has happened at Shaho, and since it seems from to-day's despatches that the Baltic fleet is fairly under way, and Oyama must apparently be greatly reinforced ere he- can drive Kuropatkin north, we may now look for a change of the human shambles from Shaho to Port Arthur. The Tsar has ordered the transSiberian road to be duplicated; a stupenduous work, and the Japs have landed at Dalny and Niuchwang army stores sufficient until the coming spring. The end is not yet.