The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-07
II. r. WILCOX, General Agent,
Charlotte, N. c.
A DEFENSIVE ROLE.
Russia is Bracing Herself for the I'M
pending Conflict.
(By the Associated Press. }

(By the Associated IfeSS.)
st. Petersburg, May $3.50 Il. M
(Friday. with Vice Admiral Togo
lowering in the immediate vicinity of
Port Arthur and transports loaded
with troops lying at Pitsewo, north
east of that stronghold, Russia has
braced herself for impending conflicts
with the foe in which she will again
play defensive role, this time, it is
hoped, with better success, and there
fore with less sacrifice of life than
in the engagements on the Yalu.
The War Commission sat until 2
o'clock this morning, and at the close
of the session it WseS announced that
there was nothing to communicate to
that the Emperor has been inform ID
of the presence of a Japanese fleet
off the Lao Shan promontory and the
appearance of transports at Pitsewo.
The fact that the two events occur
red simultaneously may have signiti-
canoe. If landing should take place
at PitsewO, it is anticipated that Togo s
battleship squadron will lombard
Port Arthur in order to prevent the
garrison from sending reinforcements
by railroad to the troops opposing the
Japanese there. Neither the Admir-
atty nor the War Office believes that
a Decentralization of the Japanese can
| be prevented, as the guns of the Jap
anese cruisers could command the
point Of landing; but after the Jap
anese are ashore then the Russians
Will strike and. officers here say, will
strike hard. What force they will be
able to bring up to resist the invaders
| cannot be stated definitely. the
| strength of the army on the peninsu-
| la OF Lao Tung having been kept a
strict secret.
SpcculatiOns As TO Movements.
1t is expected that the railroad will
| play an important part in the effort of
Russians to push the Japanese into
| the sea, as it will permit the rapid
| transportation Of troops.
The general staff has not forgotten
| that Japanese ships were sighted on
May Bird off Kaiping and Sieniuchen,
on the west coast Of the Lao Tung
! Peninsula, but those two points could
be readily covered, if necessary, from
| New Chwang.
An important advantage would ac-
crue to the Japanese should they sue
coed in establishing themselves at
Pitsewo. From there radiate roads
connecting with the railroad at Yang
Ti-Tien directly west to south with
Sanchelipon and Kinchow stations on
the railroad, nearer Port Arthur north
Will htLl ring anu ilOIlIcdSl lilIOuS
Takushan with Feng Wang Cheng.
A landing at this moment would
make it difficult for General Kuropat-
hin to concentrate q formidable force
dgainst General Kuroki, whose for
ward movement is not yet reported.
Furthermore, once the Japanese are
across the railroad Port Arthur will
be as good as besieged.
A member of the general staff says
that General Kuropatkin is we'll aware
of these considerations. Even if the
japanese should succeed in taking the
railroad, Port Arthur is now ready to
depend on it's own resources.
Dispatches from Toxic telling of
celebrations over the sealing of Port
Arthur, it is stated, are premature,
official ddvices establishing beyond
question that the attempt of Vice
Admiral Togo May 3rd, to seal the
port failed.
The absence of press dispatches
telling of the fight on the Yalu is
partially explained by the heavy NOR
taiity among the correspondents
Three of the Novosti's correspondents
are missing, and it is believed they
were killed, while the Russ lost one
of it's correspondents. The other
journals are wiring to ascertain If
their representatives are alive.