New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-09
WAR VIEWS OF EXPERTS.
Little Doubt That There Will Be
Hard Fighting.
IRON THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


washington. May S-Military observers here
md themselves still questioning the causes of
Russian dislodgement in Manchuria The brief
dispatches from apparently reliable sources Of
Information confirm the impression OF most OF
the experts that the Russians have suffered
from lack OF numbers That is the only condi-
ton which will account for the success OF the
japanese. who are evidently strongly intrenched
at Feng-Wang-Cheng and az Port Adams and
Pttsu-Wo. II the Russians are established ar
such bases as New-Chwang and Moukden IN
any such numerical strength as has been
claimed by or for them II is expected that there
VIII be an attack or the japanese, with very
serious results for the invaders. Some of the
United States officers are inclined TO believe
that they have been giving the Russians alto
gether too much credit for fighting force. The
figures given by the Russians were accepted
without much question. principally on the the
Org that Russia had for a long time been pre-
pairing for the conflict and should be in readi-
ness for an invasion Of the greatest proportions
70 be expected from the japanese.
There is much curiosity over the future STRAIT
egy Of both sides. Some OF the experts believe
that Russia viii retire from the section OF Man
churia now threatened by the japanese advance
and Will not assume the aggressive preferring
20 hold more important points TO the north.
Others think that the Russians viii descend on
the invaders and seek TO drive them across the
Yalu. There are officers here who believe that
the Japanese will rest upon their achievements
while still others see every reason in the pres
ent situation for the japanese TO push north
ward, well 70 the south. In one direction
pursuing the Russians and in the other laying
siege to Port Arthur from the land in conjunc-
ton with the japanese naval operations before
that place.
naval O47care zf,,a tLa Jororaga +La ,-a1f.
for obtaining a harbor OF refuge at Dalny. If
not actually at Port Arthur. and they point out
that, IL the japanese are permitted to occupy
without dispute these valuable ports. the Rus
slams will be seriously embarrassed for haven
for the Baltic fleet, should that command be
sent TO Asiatic waters. BY that time United
States naval officers who are firm believers in
the Japanese skill and intrepidity. as compared
with the Russian qualities. believe the port Of
Vladivostok may be inaccessible for the Rus
slams, and the denial OF refuge at a neutral
port VIII place them at the mercy Of japanese
ships, which will naturally lie in wait for them.
Naval officers find trouble in calculating the
Russian defeat.
The military experts have remarked with
much interest that the japanese have followed
during this war thus far much the same plar
that adopted by that country in 1894 in the
war with China. Il was not expected that any
such presidents would be adopted in the war
with Russia, and perhaps as one officer re-
marked. II the expectation OF the unlikely
or the unusual which has fooled the Russians
II is repeatedly said by the experts that in
any event there viii be hard fighting. The
characteristics Of both armies are such 70 in
sure anything but a bloodless war, and Ameri-
can officers ara expecting 70 see a relentless
holding OF Port Arthur against the enemy.
The army officers say that little need be
feared that place from the sea for history
has never produced instance OF the reduc-
ton OF land fortihcations by naval attack The
fear might we'll BE- directed against the enemy
on land. and IL remains 10 be seen whether the
Japanese tactics in that direction will be ag-
EreSsive or will consist OF sitting down IN front
OF Port Arthur and starving out the garrison.
That may take a year. IL Is reported that
tn. Russians have stocked their storehouses
with twelve months supplies