The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-02

| The capture of Kai-ping, in the northern
part OF the Liao-tung Peninsula, was neces-
sary as strategic operation. SO long as
the town remained in the possession OF
the Chinese communication between the
two Japanese armies in Manchuria was
impossible, and the threatening move
ments latterly directed against the ex-
treme western position of Lieutenant
General Nozu's corps made it imperative
that support should be at hand in case OF
need from the troops commanded by Gen
eral Oyama.
Since the middle of December DISPOSE
ton has been shown by the Chinese to
bring all their available forces to bear
upon the city of Hai-cheng, garrisoned by
Northumberland Katsura, at the head
of the Third (or Nagoya) Division of the
army of Japan. Hai-cheng is situated on
the high road from New-chwang to Mouk-
den, and its occupation has thus far pre-
vented all cooperation between the Chi
nese in the northern part of Shrinking,
and those stationed at and near New
chwang. The various bodies driven back
toward Moukden by the japanese were
concentrated in the vicinity of Lao-yang,
the northeast of Hai-cheng.
Although undisciplined and badly Or
ganized their great superiority in numbers
compelled Katsura to look very closely to
the lines of connection with his base at
Kiulin, the headquarters of Lieutenant
General Nozu. He was consequently on
guard against the enemy at the north, and
nothing occurred to make him uneasy un-
til warning came of the approach OF
strong hostile force from the southwest.
This was the newly gathered army of Gen.
eral Sung Ching, to meet which few regi-
ments were sent by Katsura, with the
usual victorious result. But although
driven back beyond New-chwang, Sung's
troops were soon reunited and ready for
second advance upon Hai-cheng. They
were little better than huge rabble, so far
as training and equipment went, but their
numbers made them too formidable to be
lightly regarded, especially in view of the
vast combination at Lao-yang. A stimuli
taneous assault from both sides, by col
umns five or six times larger than his own,
would have strained Katsura's resources
too severely, and it was for his relief that
the march northward from the south of
Liao-tung was ordered.
On January a brigade of General Oy-
ama's corps was led from Kin-chow by
Major-General Nogi and on the 10th the
Chinese were expelled from Kai-ping.
Their retreat was in the direction of New
chwang, and they probably joined forces
with General Sung. A few hours after
the capture detachment from Katsuras S
division appeared and the desired connec-
ton was made. Japanese troops were sta
toned, at the proper intervals, along the
route from Kai-ping to Hai-cheng, and all
anxiety as to the molestation of the latter
city was at an end.
1t has been matter of some surprise in
japan that this junction was not effected
before. The distance between the outposts
of the two corps was rot great, and march
of ten days proved sufficient to cover most
of the ground The generally accepted ex-
planation is that the Japanese were reluc-
tant to send away any considerable frac-
ton of the troops in the south of Liao-tung
until it was ascertained how many would
be required for the expedition against Wei
hai-wei. Few people realize that in the
work thus far done only one-half of the
army of Japan has been engaged. Of the
seven grand divisions three and half
have landed and fought on Chinese soil,
one is on the water and two and a half re-
main at home as originally constituted.
The garrisons left vacant in Japan have,
of course, been filled by the reserves, so
that there are just as many fresh fighting
men available as there were at the begin
ming of the war.
The Tao-tai of Shanghai, whose associa-
ton with foreigners should have taught
him to respect the opinion of the civilized
world, has issued another of the proclama-
tons which have disgraced the Chinese
authorities. Fifty taels are offered to any
person bringing the head of Japanese
"Wojen," and the destruction of a ships
boat, if accompanied by the killing Of ten
or more sailors, will be rewarded by a prize
of 1000 taels. To general who defeats the
enemy and inficts loss of several thou
sand men 100000 taels is promised.
Advocates of the Chinese cause a re call
ing attention in China and Japan to an al
legged 'jehad," or religious war, about to
be proclaimed against the Japanese by the
Mohammedan subjects of the Middle
Kingdom. Upon what pretext the Peking
Government could incite fanatical Mos
lem campaign tits difficult to imagine. The
only large bodies protesting the faith of
Islam are in remote provinces and have in
late years repeatedly risen in rebellion
against the central power. They are among
the most disaffected of the entire popula-
ton. The nominal Mohammedans of the
eastern provinces have only an imperfect
acquaintance with or interest in the doc
trines of the Prophet, and to those who
have been among them the idea that they
can be reused TO enthusiasm on any point
of religion is supremely absurd. Moreover,
their total number is reckoned at less than
10000.
SLOWLY FORKING AROUND.