Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-02-11
Japan's Campaign Is
Forecast BY r.
The Leading .Strategist

Reference has already been made in
TINS paper to the interview of Colonel
Okla, the chief strategist of Japan.
published In the New York Herald ear.
ly In January. Colonel Okla was then
returning from the British army ma.
neuvers by way Of New York. His
forecast OF the time of wars outbreak
ana the movement of the Japanese
meet was so accurate with the events
oil the past week that 1t gives special
interest to his remarks on the land
compaign and Japans general plan of
action.
When asked regarding Japan's plan
OF campaign. Colonel Okla is quoted in
the Herald:
Look at the map" said Colonel Okla,
az he roughly outlined the coast Of
China, Corea and Japan. when war
breaks out--and II will be to Japan 9
advantage to strike the first blow-you
Will md Cur transports with troops
burr!ing from japan straight away to
Chemulpo. We have contracted for
plenty of vessels, and there is practi.
cally an unlimited supply. The trans.
ports will get away to Chemulpo In hot
haste under the protection of our war
ships. During the winter there Is lit.
tie chance of Russia's Eastern squad.
ron leaving vladivostok. to unite with
her vessels at Port Arthur. and We
think with our strength in the narrow
strait between Corea and Japan we
could Prevent a juncture at all times.
Anyway, It is our great idea TO
bring the Russian navy to battle at an
carly stage because the land operations
tepend greatly upon our supremacy at
sea. The coasts of Japan We regard
as quite imrregnable. After landing
at Chemulpo we shall probably make
a great march direct to Hardin, over
five hundred miles. which we regard
as the key 10 the strategic situation.
The roads from Chemulpo are fortu.
nately good. South of Chemulpo the
roads are a5ominably bad, and that Is
the reason We should not send the
| transports by way of Fusan. Other.
wise. Fusan. being almost Japanese
alreSiy and quite near to Japan, has
many advantages.
where will be the first great fight?'
Colonel Okla took a pencil and indi.
Gated the site marked on the map near
Chemulpo.
First Fight or cheniulpo.
Many people think" said the Colo
mel, that Russia will prefer to keeT
her ships under cover of her guns a,
Port Arthur. Japan believes. however
/ that the transports steaming into Che
mulpo. and the knowledge that 1t will
be our intention to carry the fight al
| the outset into the heart of Manchurif
will tempt Admiral Alexieff to action
At any rate, the site of Chemulpt
would be his best chance, seeing tina
his base for repairs and supply is a
Port Arthur-little over two hundre,
miles distant.
"Battleships and cruisers have mas
ty habit of becoming lame ducks a
the critical moment, and Russia woul,
like to be as near her port as possible
In respect of dock yards. repairs an,
paval supply. Of course we are superlo
to Russia, and prolongation Of thu
naval warfare would be to our advan
tage. II Russia refuses battle OF
Chemulpo perhaps we shall take thu
offensive and lombard Port Arthur
We are not at all certain that lon
range guns are placed at that fortress
and high angle fire would probabl
ruin the shipping in port"
"Onr strength on land" said Colone
Okla, would consist, in concentration
Russia, on the other hand. with he
troops scattered all over Manchuria
with big garrisons at Port Arthur. Da
ny, Mukden, Niu.Chwang and Vlad
vostok, would, We consider, suffer b
her decentralization. We think tina
by a great effort and much selfsacr
fice on the part of our troops, the rus
upon Hardin, with its immense store
of ammunition. forage and Time
goods. would be a success. Once
occupation we should hold the line