The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-04-06

speed ahead after the retreating Jap
anese, but the Bayan had not goDe
far before the flagship signalled to re-
turn"
Shanghai, April 4, Evening.--A let
ter received here from Kobe, Japan,
says the japanese government has
2eO,O OOo troops in motion and fully
60, 600 more under arms in garrisons
and at the depots These numbers are
exclusive of the third reserves num-
bering about 1900 which have not
been called to the colors. The exact
number of troops which have left
Japan for their various destinations
are not known, but the entire first
army has been landed and has estab-
lished itself in northwestern Corea
with it's main base at Chinampho.
The japanese general staff still care
fully guards the plan of campaign,
but it is generally believed that 1T
will operate three armies, each nomi-
nally numbering 100, men, and the
second army landing west of the Yalu
rive- and the third army east of New
Chwang. The landings of the latter
two armies will be easily accomplished
for the light cruiser squadrons can
protect both movements.
It is thought that the landing Of a
heavy japanese force west of the
mouth of the Yalu will force the Rus
slams to abandon the Notifications
which they have been erecting north
Of the Yalu, for the purpose of oppos..
Ing the crossing of the first army OF
Japan from Corea.
1t is also anticipated that the
three great Japanese forces will ope-
rate in conjunction, the third army
swinging eastward from New Chwang,
seizing or cutting the railroad and
then engaging in a turning movement
against the main Russian position.
The Japanese are confident that the
Russians will be unable to transport
supplies sufficient to maintain IN
Manchuria a force larger than 300, COO
men. The heavy detachments neces-
sary to guard the railroad and supply
bases will, it is claimed, reduce the
Pussian fighting force to about 2Oo,
600 men.
The japanese are requisitioning
thousands of horses ard it is probable
that a considerable detachment of
cavalry will accompany each army.
Though the horses of the japanese
cavalry seem inferior to those of the
Russian the japanese officers say they
will satisfactorily accomplish the
work MANNED for them.
Much japanese artillery is depart
ing for the front. The guns seem
light, but it is believed that the Jap
anese have number of heavy bat
teries equal in range to the best Eu-
ropean field artillery. Japan also
possesses large number of excellent
mountain batteries, which in rough
country will bave a distinct advan-
tage over the Russians.
1t seems certain that Admiral
Togos' failure to dispose of the Rus
sian fleet at Port Arthur has delayed
the japanese land operations.
A general thaw is now proceeding
in Corea and Manchuria, rendering
the coontry roads impossible and
making it impossible to conduct gen.
eral military operations until the
ground hardens.
St. Petersburg, April 4.-As the
time approaches for the opening of
land operations on a large scale, the
Russian authorize are exercising
greater vigilance to prevent the news
of their plans for the movement tc.
and the disposition of troops in, tie
theatre of war from going abroad
where it might be of service to the
enemy. For ten days not a scrap OF
real information. except such as is
contained in official dispatches, has
been given out or has come from the
front There practically exists an
embargo upon news dispatches. those
coming through being colorless and
devoid OF Importance.
The melting of the SHOW N a noun
tainous country will render impossible
in the spring the roads over which
the Japanese must come, and this is
considered to be almost as effective
all opposition as would Russian army
corps. The Russians also count upon
a japanese hankiug movement in con-
nection with a frontal attack and
therefore a Russian force las been
disposed along the Tuuen to prevent
the entrance of a japanese column
there. Another effort to block Port
Arthur is consequently expected
daily.
Viceroy Alexieff has returned to
Mukden.
New York Cotton, Letter.