Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-18
A JAPAN STRATEGIST
HE OUTLINES THE PROBABLE
CAMPAIGN.
First Naval Fight Likely Off Chemulpo
Then a March to Hardin to Hold
the Siberian Railway.

Colonel Okla a Japanese officer holding
high place in the Toxic war office, recently
outlined to a correspondent Of the New
York Herald a possible plan of campaign
by japan against Russia. Colonel Oka
was passing through New York on his way
to Toxic from England, where he had VIII
messed the fall military maneuvers.
Colonel Okla represents the best type OF
Japanese soldier trained in the European
school. He spoke freely of the general
military idea" which he personally favored,
and like a loyal subject of the mikado, ne
was admirably reticent on all those special
ideas" the publication of which would not
assist his cause. Colonel Okla made 1t clear
at the outset that the plan of campaign
which he advocated was purely unofficiai,
though it is supported by leading officers In
Japan and is perfectly consistent, appar-
emily, with the situation.
No War Till February.
Colonel Okla said:
First of all, let me express my convic-
ton that there will be no war until the
first week of February at the earliest. l
have read the various kilograms from the
far east reporting notifications, but you
must recollent that the cables are under
Russian and Japanese control. Is 1t likely
that either party will allow the movements
of army and navy to be divulged prema-
turely when 1t is in their power to prevent
it? / am bound to believe that much has
been suppressed by the authorities, and
that some Of the cables are not entirely
accurate.
However that may be, the war will prob
ably be very long and very bitter. We
think we are justified in assuming that we
shall win in the naval campaign. Even
many Russians are doubtful as to their SUI
periority on the sea. To win on the sea we
regard as one-half the battle. Europeans
think that our bad time will come when the
struggle develops on land. 1t will be full
of trials and dangers, no doubt, but we feel
strong and confident.
The statement that Japan could only put
some 10000 men into the field is idle talk.
We have many more, and we shall have
the ineSumable advantage of fighting
within comparatively short distance not
only Of our sea bases in Korea, but of
Japan.
An army crawls upon its stomach and
half the business of war is connected with
transport and supply. Does anybody who
knows anything of the frugal living of the
japanese soldier think that in this i'm
portant respect we shall not be superior
to the Russians? To put the matter plain
ly, we think that Asiatics have a better
chance of fighting in Asiatic countries than
Europeans, especially when, as in the case
of the Japanese, every man has been
trained in European methods of fighting.
Must Strike First Blow.
When war breaks out-and it will be to
Japan's advantage to strike the first blow
you will find our transports with troops
hurrying from Japan straight away to
Chemulpo. We have contracted for plenty
of vessels. and there is practically an I'M
limited supply. The transports will get
away to Chemulpo In hot haste under the
protection of our warships. During the
winter there is little chance of Russia's
eastern squadron leaving Vladivostok to
unite with her vessels at Port Arthur and
we think with our strength In the narrow
strait between Korea and Japan We could
prevent a iuncture at all times.
Anyway, 1T is our great idea to bring the
Russian navy to battle at an early stage,
because the land operations depend greatly
upon our supremacy at sea. The coasts of
Japan we regard as quite impregnable
After landing at Chemulpo we shall prob
ably make a great march direct to Harbin
over 800 miles, which we regard as the key
to the stragetic situation. The roads from
Chemulpo are fortunately good, south of
Chemulpo the roads are abominably bad,
and that is the reason we should not send
the transports by way of Fusan. Other
wise, Fusan, being almost Japanese al
ready, and quite near to Japan, has many
advantages.
First Fight Near Chemulpo.