PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 4 November 1904, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

» Reuter's correspondent at Chefoo re- ' ports that the Japanese _ have occupied positions enabling them to enter the main eastern forts of Port Arthur at will. As they have apparently maintained a fivin grip of Fort Erlungshan, the most important of the eastern group, it would seem that they have silenced the Russian batteries within range. It is probably the fire from Erlingshan also that has reached the battleships, as reported today, the guns commanding the harbour at a distance, of from two and a half to three miles. It may be here noted that on 19th September the Echo de Paris gave currency to a report by its St. Petersburg correspondent that Admiral Wirenius had telegraphed to the Tsar urging him to hasten the departure of the Baltic fleet, and expressing the hope that it would arrive in time to attack Togo in concert with the Port Arthur squadron, which he declared was then leady for action. Admiral Wirenius is said to be a capable and adventurous commander, and if his ships were effective sir weeks ago, he would probably have made a dash for Kiauchau before the big guns of the besiegers could be trained upon his ships. The mining and coun-ter-mining, with accompanying desperate fighting, reported to-day, refers to at tacks upon the forts, and is not to be confounded with the big main tunnel driven beneath the town. The work there can be carried on in security unless the Russians should get the bearings and sink a shaft upon its course. If numbers count, 'the end draws near for Stoessel and his gallant garrison, for it is wired to-day that he baa now but 7000 men available and Nogi 50,000. The Japanese think "that the forts of Liautieshan and on the Tiger's Tail vnill resist for another month. 1 ' Writing on the position at Port Arthur recently, a military correspondent of The Times said: — "The state of affairs seems to be that the whole preparatory artillery duel is over ; that the Russians have been driven from their outer lines of defence upon the permanent works. This latter line even appeal's to have been pierced by the taking of the Fort Itchan, or Etse-chan. A wedge has been driven at or near Tongchaitse, due north of the inner harbour, between the eastern and western groups or sectors of defence. The Russians declare that the fortress can hold out for several weeks-. This will depend, inter alia, on the amount of heavy gun ammunition in their possession. They assert that, even if both towns fall, they can pass their troops over to the Tiger Tail and Liautieshan forts and continue their resistance there. To me it seems that such a position would entail great difficulties of supply, and that the gorges or backs of the works thereon would soon be destroyed by the fire from the Japanese guns on land." Oyaina, appears to be setting his army in motion, the Russian General Sakharoff reporting that the Japanese are making a forward movement against Kuropatkin's extreme left, while they have reoccupied a position on the Russiap right. This looks as though Oyama is not looking to the fall of Port Arthur as a factor in the coming battle, and argues that he feels strong enough to force the fighting. It promises to be the greatest battle of the campaign, and will be waged with a determination bordering on ferocity.