What started the Russo-Japanese War? Russia issued a preemptive strike on Japan in the Sea of China.
The conflict over Korea escalated into war near Seoul, Korea.
Japan launched a surprise attack on the city of Port Arthur in Russia.
Negotiations to avoid war broke down, and war ensued.

What does the quote describe? “the closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us….the shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable.”