NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE news from the Far East as to the progress of the war is a little dubious. It appears to be clear that Talienwan and Kinchow, the two great outposts of Port Arthur, have been carried, the former with an ease which astounded the Japanese, the latter after some, but not much, sharp fighting. Port Arthur itself, however, has not been carried ; there is a belief in Tientsin that the General in command will fight, and the works are known to be of ex- ceeding strength. It is reported moreover, in the telegrams received on Friday by the Times, that a General Nieh had repulsed the Japanese attack on the passes between Feng-huang-cheng and Moukden, and that the Chinese were in pursuit of the Japanese. That story, if true, is of the last importance, because if the Chinese Court can get anybody to fight, it may still wear out the Japanese ; but then is it true? The Times has a good man at Tientsin, but he must get his information from Chinamen, and they are a shade less trust- worthy than the Japanese. Another hopeful statement, also unconfirmed, is that Major Hanneoken has been invested with supreme command over the Chinese Navy. He will fight if he can ; and we repeat, it is fighting, not ingenuity, on which the issue of the war depends. A victory at sea, even if the Chinese fleet perished in gaining it, would leave the Japanese armies hanging in air.
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