The morning call., 1894-09-09
THE WAR IN ASIA.

The descent of japanese expedition
upon an island 10 Society Bay, off the coast
of Shing Kin, implies a purpose to dispute
the possession of the Gulf Of Pechili The
island IS within striking distance of Port
Arthur, which is now the largest naval
station occupied by the Chinese.
1t is about fourteen years since the Chi
nese undertook to fOrtiiy Port Arthur.
They were impelled TO the step by the
occupation OF Port Hamilton, off the south-
ern extremity of Korea, by the English.
After spending considerable money and
constructing formidable works the Eng
lish concluded that Port Hamilton would
cost more than it was worth and they
abandoned the place. The Chinese perse-
vered in their work at Port Arthur and
with the assistance of a French company,
which took a contract to erect fortifica-
tons and construct drydock. they con-
verted fishing village on barren rock
into fiOurishing city Of 5000 people, with
wharves, quays, two docks 400 feet long
with a depth of % feet at low water,
foundIies, workshops and an elaborate
system of Notifications. The place has
been described as equal if not superior to
Vladiyostok, and it has the advantage
over that port of being free from ice, which
is swept away by the current from the
Peino and Leanho. The works ara armed
with modern guns Of the largest caiber,
and force of 1000 men, commanded by
European officers, garTisons the place
Surveys have been made to connect the
port by rail with Moukden and Newchang
The japanese are said to have landed on
an island 10 the jaws of the Gulf of
Pechili. about forty miles from Port Ar
thur, their purpose being il possible to
reduce that place, aud ii that be impracti-
cable to i0terpose an obstacle 10 the navi-
CATION of the gull. So long as Port Arthur
remains 10 Chinese hands An expedition
aimed at the forts and cities on the Peiho
would operate with the disadvantage of
leaving in its rear a welI-fortitied navel
depot. with feet sheltered under its guns,
and in the event Of defeat its escape would
be difficult.
Thus far the operations of the bslliger-
ents strike the foreign observer as being of
the nature of recOnnoissances, with no
necessary bearing on the result of the war;
1t is not on the sea that Japan can infliet
serious injury on its enemy. Admiral
Courbet sank or hlew I'D or drove aground
all the Chinese ships he could get sight of
without impairing the fighting capacity OF
China. So the Japanese would be no
nearer the accomplishment of their object
if they destroyed the northern navy of the
empire or bottled 1t up under the guns of
Port Arthur. General James Wilson,
whose book is now at last receiving at the
East the attention to which it is entitled,
shows the only way in which China can be
effectually assailed.
He says that an enterprising general
with large cavalry force operating round
a nucleus Of infantry and artillery no
larger than the army which Sherman led
through Georgia could overrun the whole
empire, overturn the dynasty, and scatter
any native army that could be brought
against it. 1t could live on the county
and ride down the undisciplined leyes
wherever it met them. But such an en-
terprise would require base on the sea-
coast where depots Of arms, ammunition
and supplies could be maintained for the
use of the Invading army. This would in
Volve command of the sea.
Ii we ever receive news that the Japan
ese army is moving north toward the
passes in the Pepi Shan Mountains so as
TO threaten NewchaDg and Moukden we
may begin to consider the chances of
Japanese invasion of China. Till then
accounts Of offensive operations against
the vital centers of the empire must be
received with caution. 1t is too late in
the season for such movements This year.
The rivers freeze over in Shing Kin and
Pechili in the middle of October, and