The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1904-03-18
TO ACT OH
THE OFF ENSIvE
Russian Fleet May Make Bold
Dash From Port Arthur
PLAN TO UNITE FORCES

Idea Said to Be to Meet VladivO-
stOlz Squadron, of Which Moth.
ing Has Been Heard, and In
fict Damage on the Enemy
Japanese Marines Reported to
Have Taken Dalny--Japan Has
Money Enough to Maintain
War For Eighteen Months
London, March 15.-A report from
New Chwang says Admiral Makaroff
has planned to make dash with the
Russian fleet from Port Arthur, in a
desperate attempt to unite with the
FViadivOstok squadron.
This dispatch, which is prominently
displayed by The Daily Mail and which
the correspondent says is ION Russian
information" is, if true, news of the
hrst Importance, confirming the idea
that Vice Admiral Makaroff will adopt
the offensive and make desperate at
tempt to bring together Russia's scat
tered naval forces and endeavor to in
6lct damage upon the japanese navy.
The story must, however, be viewed
cautiously, the only approach to con-
fFmation from any other quarter being
In dispatch from correspondent of
The Daily Telegraph at Yin Kow, which
merely says:
"Vice Admiral Makaroff has issued
orders to the effect that the saving of
coal is unnecessary, but that the big
gun ammunition in the forts must not
be wasted. Evidently this ammunition
rs running short"
There is no other news to hand on the
sabiect.
The Daily Telegraph's Toxic CORE
spOndent SENDS an uncOnfirmed rumor
10 the effect that Japanese marines
have landed and occupied Dalny.
dispatch from Yin Kow says that
the best Russian information obtainable
al Port Arthur and New Chwang admits
the governments intention to fall back
until it can complete the
of 100000 troops for the
purpose of assaulting and opposing the
and probably 100000 more to
oppose the Chinese.
The same opinion asserts that Vice
Admiral Makaroff will fight hard. He
is determined to weaken the enemy at
any cost and make the operations of the
Baltic feet in the far east feasible.
though it may be necessary to fight
without the Pallada, CZarevitch and
RetviZan, which, it is admitted, cannot
be fully repaired within six months. On
account of the uncertainty of success
fully constructing mud dock in which
10 repair the Czarevitch and Retvizan,
naval experts allow a year for the
work.
1t may be remarked that the British
newspapers all regard Vice Admiral
fogo's report that he has laid mines at
Port Arthur as mere bluff, and they |
,Ry that such feat would be impossible |
1nder fire. The Daily Mail thinks that |
y Vice Admiral Makaroff closed the
channel it was in order to prevent the |
ngress of the Japanese torpedo boat |
iestroyers, as he did at Wei Hal Wei |
iuring the Chino-Japanese war.
1t is a subject of unceasing remark |
md conjecture that nothing has been
leard of the Vladivostok squadron and |
is beginning to be believed that it |
3 really inside the harbor of Vladivo-
tok.
The Standards Toxic correspondent
avs that, according to dispatch from
General San, the Russians are believed
o be withdrawing from the northeast
rontier of Korea and concentrating at
The correspondent of The Morning
'ost at Toxic throws an Interesting
light upon Japan's financial intentions
md says it is estimated that Japan will
'e able to maintain war for IS months
Without borrowing abroad. The policy
B to retain the gold in Japan, and 1t is
'elieved that it will not be necessary TO
pend abroad more than one-eighth of
he cost of the war, this expenditure be-
ag chiefly on coal, cordite and steel.
rhe fact that Port Arthur is completely
'lOckaded permits a great saving, be-
ause Japan will be able to charter YES
els at peace rates.
1t is said that the Hamburg-Amer-
san line steamer Pennsylvania, Which
allied from Plymouth for New York
has on board several Poles
nd Firms who are escaping from Rus
nan military service.
The Seoul correspondent of The
lines comments on the remarkable
Ivil influence which Japan has brought
0 bear upon Korea without adopting
n attitude of overbearing coercion.
he correspondent says that on the
ontrary, everything is being done to
oncfliate the Koreans, but he points out
nat from Chemulpo to Seoul every
Dntrolling influence is Japanese-rail-
'ay, police and telegraph. He adds
hat Japan must have been laying the
,undation for this condition of affairs
Dr many months.
TIllman Is Improving
Washington, March 15.-The condi-
on of Senator Tillman, who has been
] for some time with assesses in the
,roat. continues favorable. Since the
Ist operation he has been much more