New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-06
VAR VIEWS OF EXPERTS.
The Situation at NezC-Chzcang and
Port arthur Discussed.
TFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington. May 5.-The days dispatches
from st. Petersburg give somewhat new color
ing to the situation in Manchuria- Military ex-
perts here have cherished the notion that the
fight in the Yalu section did not have the i'm
portance OF a battle, and that. II it were TO be
strategically classified, IL must be designated
sHirnish collision of outposts- The opinion
now prevails that the japanese have employed
their troops in force to some material purpose in
Eastern Manchuria- This prepares military ex-
perts for the ruulor that the Russians are about
20 move back from Feng-Wang- Cheng, hitherto
regarded base Of operations Indispensable
10 them. The official confirmation Of the runners
relating 10 military operations in the Yalu sec
ton serves 4 sort of preparation TO the rea4l-
cation Of the report that the port or New
Chwang is now occupied by the Japanese II
this is the case, naval experts say the Jap
anese have gained a decided advantage over
their enemy at a critical period in the prellnl-
mary hostilties land. There is an impress
sion here that the invasion of the neighborhood
of New-Chwang is confined to the section along
the coast because 1t is realized that X the
Japanese have advanced to the city they must
have dislodged the Russians, who are thereby
placed disadvantage Of more than ordinary
significance and value.
The Japanese evidently are in position 10
carry on what experts describe as amphibious
more movement by water than has been dis
closed in any OF the signs visible to the Russians
since the invasion Of the New-Chwang section
means the use Of transports TO a considerable
extent and this seems to have been accom-
pIshed without Withdrawing japanese warshlps
from more or less ostentatious performances on
Port Arthur and before Vladivostok.
Perhaps this was done for the benefit Of the
Russians TO keep them in n state Of prepared
ness at those two ports and in the vicinity OF the
YaIu while a formidable army of japanese was
landing elsewhere for instance near Talien-
Wan Dalny). This, some of the experts are
now remarkng, early suggested as POSI-
BILE stratagem Of the Japanese.
In the calculations Of Japanese strategy naval
officers do not take much account OF the bottling
1Ip process at the entrance Of Port Arthur Har-
Dor. They do not regard that feat possessing
an enduring advantage TO the japanese or as
furnishing an embarrassment from which the
Russians may not escape. Whatever blocks the
entrance to Port Arthur. the Russians viii ma
It merely a matter Of submarine explosion 10
remove the obstruction and render the sea as
accessible a. ever TO the Russian warships- Some
Of the officers here believe that the Japanese
must have realized the temporary quality OF
such an operation, and probably resorted 70 the
efforts at Imprisonment OF their enemy simply
10 divert attention from other more important
plans. And as already remarked. such project
of greater value would be the landing OF troops
as 10 accomplish the isolation OF Port Arthur.
The next developments in the situation in
Manchuria are awaited with the keenest interest
at the War and Navy departments, the imme-
date concern Of officers being that OF the fate OF
the garrison at Port Arthur which, II all is true
threatened with the desperate extremity Of the
beeaRuered