New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-28
WAR VIEWS OF EXPERTS.
Crossing of Yalu By Japanese Re-
garded 7rith Interest.
IRON THE TRIBUNE srEEAu.l


washington April 27-The crossing OF the
Yalu by the japanese forces revives military in
terest in the war situation land IN the Far
East American army experts were not expect
ing such a prompt availmeut Of geographical op-
portunfties by the japanese. and. Of course II
cannot vet be known what Importance may be
attached 10 the movement. As the case stands
now with numerous requirements on the guess
ing capacity Of United States officers. the Japan
csc appear 20 have shown the better skill In
strategy than the Russians. II It be important
to Japanese success that Manchurian territory
be occupied. and II the Russians were really
bent on keeping their enemy on the Corean side
Of the YaIu then the Japanese have achieved
something Of Importance by a method which
must gain for them the praise OF observers.
1t IS admittedly n good stroke to invade Man
chur1a by feint. and American officers are not
so sure that the so-called invasion at two points
across the Yalu IS not In itself a subterfuge. II
may turn out that the japanese are really intent
on going elsewhere and viii accomplish this by
double or triple subterfuge.
The experts are constantly on the lookout for
something which does not appear on the surface.
and,hardly any Of the plain signs are accepted
without question or as meaning all or only that
which they would ordinarily Indicate
On this same basis OF reasoning IL IS suggested
by the American experts that II may be Russias
purpose to permit, with as little show Of oppo-
sitIon as possible. the Japanese to get well sit
mated in Manchuria and then strike telling
blow It IS for this reason impossible at this
stage in the proceedings to determine which OF
the combatants are entitled to the greater share
Of glory for strategy. If it shall appear that
Russia has laid a clever trap into which the
japanese have conpacently walked. It viii
serve to shift the prize from the japanese to
he
ment Of the situation will influence the compari-
Most army officers here have entertained the
view that It would be unwise for Japan to pene-
trate into Manchuria, except for Interior pur-
poses and equally unwise for the Russians 10
20 far from their base of supplies and source
of rec endorsements. This has led TO the belief
that there would be long period OF tedious
waiting with the Russians adding to the
strength Of their position in Manchuria and the
Japanese increasing the 1npregnability OF their
position in Corea. Some OF the army officers say
that the latest advices by way Of st. Petersburg
and Toxic do not contain anything which need
alter this view and they are not inclined to re-
gard the movement OF some OF the japanese
over the Yalu into the Russian country as af-
fecting the situation materially.
1t is all q question OF numbers in the end: IL II
appeared that the invasion of Corea was accom-
plshed by a very strong force. IL might be as
surned that the japanese really meant business.
This would only serve to strengthen the theory
that the Russians have lured their enemy into
a country more convenient for Russian attack
II It were not So then the Russian cause has
suffered prostrating blow at a very early
stage In the war on land, and one which threat
ems the security OF the Russian position I'm Man
churia And this latter view cannot be accepted
by American army officers, who know some
thing of Russian determination and resource.