New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-17
HARDIN ANOTHER MOSCOW

The Russian plan of campaign in East Asia,
at least for the near future. is now said to
involve the making Of Hardin INTO another
Moscow. The early talk, which. TO do them
Justice was not INDUCED in by the Russians
themselves so much as by their inJudiclous
friends was to the effect that vast Muscovlte
army would Immediately roll down upon the
Japanese. and not only prevent them from en-
tering Manchuria. but also sweep them incon-
tipentlv ont of Corea Now all that is changed.
There has been no serious effort to keep or
drive the Japanese out of COrea, and il does
not appear that all possible efforts Will be made
TO prevent their invasion Of Manchuria- ON
the contrary, il is said, the Russians will let
them enter Manchuria without difficulty, and
even encourage them to do so. OF course, the
further the japanese advance beyond the 1alu.
the further they will be from their supporting
feet Finally, when their army has been per
mitteJ TO penetrate as far Hardin. or even
Moukden. or Liao-Yang. it will be beset on every
side by Russian detachments its lines of com
munication will be cut. and it will be destroyed.
The japanese march to Hardin will he dupli-
cation in result. Of Napoleons march TO Mos
COW.
1t is a shrewd plan, though We are by no
means convinced that the Russians have really
adopted il. ON the contrary. indications now
are that the Russians preparing TO OPP
japanese beyond the Yalu. But. if they should
adopt such a plan. the successful working
Of it would depend upon the readiness of
the japanese TO walk into the trap thus pre-
pared for them. and that the japanese would
be ready 10 do so is greatly 10 be doubted
In vain is the snare set in the sight Of any
bird" and this particular would be per-
ceived and understood 10y this particular bird.
There is no indication that the japanese are
spirits among them have talked Of il, and have
even spoken of driving all Russians to the west
ward Of Lake 4Saikal. But we have no idea that
serious statesmen and soldiers have any such
design-unless indeed, the Manchurian and East
Siberian tribes should rise against the Russians.
i'm which case the japanese might make such
advance with comparative safety. Japan is not
fighting for the conquest OF Russia, or Of ST.
IBERIA, but for self-protectiOn in the maintenance
Of her natural interests in Corea and lower
Manchuria. She is not 10 be expected to go be-
yond those limits.
The intentions of Japan pretty well shown
by her conduct in Corea. Instead of rushing
hastily across that country TO invade Man
churia, she is deliberately and systematically
taking possession Of il and intrenching herself
In II before going beyond its borders. She is
constructing not only Notifications, but also
roads, for military as well as civil use. In
brief, she is making her position there as nearly
impregnable as possible Having driven the
russians out. she does not propose to be herself
driven out 1t does not yet appear what she
VIII do in Manchuria. Beyond doubt, she will
try 10 expel the Russians. That she will I'M
dertake to fortify herself there in their place
is exceedingly doubtful She relinquished the
part Of Manchuria to which she was entitled In
1895. and there is proof that she is thinking
OF reacquiring IT. If not, she will not do in it
the work she is doing in Corea. and i'm that case
# is uncomfortable that she will venture much
beyond gunire from the coast That she will