New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-18
JAPANESE OBJECTIVES.
MG|n Body Near Hai-Cheng Rus
sian Lines at MaO-Tien.

Moukden, May lit was announced here to-
day that the main body of the Japanese forces
is advancing OH Hai-Cheng, about ten miles
southeast of New Chwang, and Kai-Ping (kai-
Chow, about thirty-6ve miles south of New
Chwang, and that a smaller force is marching in
the direction of LiaO-Yang
May 1.-THE fighting line is steadily nearing
Moukden where Viceroy Alexieff's headquarters
still remain. Little reliable information can be
obtained by the newspaper correspondents, who
are forbidden TO go to the scene of operations
and official information is withheld until advices
are sent to st. Petersburg. 1t is known. how
ever. that the Japanese are almost within strik
ing distance of the Russians, and that the forces
protecting Liao-Yang stretching eastward
from the railroad along the Mao-Tien range.
The Japanese are advancing in three columns
and are now north of Siu-Yen and Wang
Cheng. Two columns reported to be work.
ing further to the northward. with the object Of
turning the Russian position and advancing
upon Moukden.
Numerous small engagements have been
/ fought, but no decisive action has taken place
The Japanese are operating in a rugged coun-
try. well suited to the Russian defence. but
north Of Lao Yang Moukden the country is
a plain, intersected by rivers. The weather re-
Gently has been hot and dry but rain in the
last two days has made the roads almost i'm
son begins, at the end of June this plain will
be converted into a morass. This condition will
probably result in the practical suspension of
operations
Moukden is the receiving centre for the
wounded from the various engagements south of
the Mao-Ten Mountains a hospital has been
established in temple in the outskirts Of the
town. and field hospital has been established
in wood near the military camp.
4 p1,,,,
demeanor OF the Chinese population. which may
be said to he a barometer of the military
weather A close observer of the expressions
and general attitude of the Chinese can tell how
the fighting a hundred miles away is turning.
They have rapid and mysterious channels of IN
formation, through which the result OF the bat
tie at Feng- Wang-Cheng spread and could be
suspected from the outward manner of the Chi
nese before the Russians made it known here
The cutting off of Port Arthur is another in
stance in point.
The newspaper correspondents are most cour-
teously treated by Colonel Poestich the officer
whom Viceroy Alexief appointed To attend
them. but they are chatting under the restrictions
imposed here. which prevent them from seeing
anything of the fighting. General Kuropatkin
is evidently unwilling that the foreign CORE
spondents shall witness the present phase Of
operations
Berlin May 17.-Colonel Gaedke. war CORE
spondent of the "Tageblatt" teIegraphed to-day
10 his paper from Moukden confirming previous
reports that the japanese are advancing against
the Russian line at Liao-Yang, Hai-Cheng and
New-Chwang. The japanese right wing he
added. is pushing forward hestatingly. but the
left wing is moving with greater energy.
A strong Russian cavalry force is hanging
upon the japanese TANKS. observing the enemy
movements All is quiet at Moukden.