PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 127, 25 November 1904, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

« The Russian refugees who reached Weihaiwei in a lifeboat from Liaoshan — the high coastal hill immediately west of Port Arthur — admit they stole the craft, and theiefore admit desertion. Under buch circumstances their story would naturally be upon the side of justification, and this should be borne in mind in considering their statement that only 2000 efficients remain in the garrison, that there axe 20,000 sick .and wounded in the place, that typhoid is rife, and water and ammunition scarce. We think this tale of distress is overdrawn, for 2000 men on duty day and night would at most menu only half that number lined over the threatened posts at one time. Yet up to a week ago we were told of desjpei-ate sallies and attacks and co.unter attacks. .The approaches to the forts are variously mined, many being "contact" and others "electric," to be fired from observation posts, and the besiegers may well be chary ol lushing such positions if they are certain that their artillery fire Mill presently reduce the forts. But apparently ths besiegers have been pounding nv.ay for weeks without gaining any iresh coign of vantage. From Golden Hill, on the cliff at the entrance to the harbour, to Itzeshan, four miles west of the town, are 15 forts fctill, as far as v.c can determine, held by Stoessel. How is it possible for 2000 men to cover such a line of defence? The sea forts (Golden Hill) do not fire now — we are told to-day — when the Japanese waishipb approach, and this may well be because of lack of men to man the guns, but the line of attack on the landward side has for weeks extended from Ehrlung to Itzeshan, a distance of six miles, on which are planted seven forts. Of the 2000 effectives! only onehalf could be on duty at one time, for the poor wretches must sleep sometimes, and a thousand men would not go round, while opposed to them are at least 50,000 of the pick of the Japanese army. As for the shortage of water, there has been credible evidence from before the siege of a good artesian supply for drinking purposes within the town. We cunnot accept the story of the deserteis, which does not bring the fall of Port Arthur appreciably nearer. When it will happen is- probably known only to one man, for we assume that it will be by order of the Tsar. In Manchuria, according to Russian military advices, the Japanese have commenced to enrol the Chinese as voluntary militia in great numbers. Standing alone they would be of doubtful value, but they are being diafted into Japanese regiments, where they may prove as good as any other recruits. The plan no doubt has been carefully thought out, and its successful carrying out may be expected to have an important influence on the rivdlt of the war. It will also be the cause of much anxious deliberation in <>onie of the Chancelleries of the Western nations. Kuropatkin seems still disinclined to force a general engagement, and his opponent still waits — possibly for the fall of Port Arthur.