The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-04-28
But LITTLE IS DOING
War News Scarce and Practically No
Developments
BOTH PARTIES MOVING SLOWLY
japanese Have q Way Opened For the
Landing Of Troops - Russians Are
Massing Large Force.

81. Petersburg. By Cable-ofleial
dispatches regarding the fighting
south OF the River Pomaku were re-
ported last Friday. In which Russian
detachment had three men killed and
two officers and thirteen men wound.
ed. say that Japanese troop-iaden
barge and other boats emerged from
the mouth of the Pomaku and attempt
ed 10 cut of the Russian retreat. The
barge was sunk by the Russian guns.
Capt. Smeizin, who commanded the
detachment. has died OF his wounds.
The kutshuin had one officer wound
ed Further details concerning the
skirmish south of the River Pomaku
say that in following up the general
plan to harrass and impede the Japan
ese crossing of the Yalu. the Russian
outposts On the river sent a detach-
ment OF volunteers in boats on the
night OF April 21 for the purpose Of
setting fire to the Japanese pontoons
and other bridge material.
The boats grounded on 9 sandbank
near the Korean side and drew the
fire OF the Japanese outposts. There
was a sharp fusilade at close range.
The positions of the boats was
highly critical, owing 10 the appear
ance of number of light barges filled
with Japanese, coming out from q
small tributary stream called the Po-
makua. which is unmarked even on
the maps of the Russian general staff
The intention of the barges was to
cuts off the retreat of the Russians.
This was noticed from the other bank,
two miles distant, and a couple of
field guns opened fire. 4 lucky shot
sank one OF the barges, and the others
withdrew. The Japanese casualties
are not known.
The japanese Objective.
81. Petersburg, b. Cable-Apparent-
ly reliable information in the posses
sion Of the general staff leads 10 the
belief that the objective Of the Jap
anese campaign does not involve the
ambitious invasion OF the interior OF
Manchuria with the purpose of reach
ing ard overwhelming the main Rus
sian army II the Japanese ever en-
tertained the hope of accomplishing a
task similar to that which Napoleon
set for himself, present advices indi-
cate that they have abandoned 1t, and
have adopted much more cautious
end less hazardous programme. II this
information Is correct there Will be no
advance upon the army concentrated
at Lao Yang and Mukden, with It's at
tendant constant lengthentng and
weakening of the japanese line O: COM
munication. Instead there seems TO
be determination 10 stick as close as
possible to the sea. where lies Japan
natural base OF communication, she
having established herself in Korea.
The general staff reports that the
japanese have three other Objectives-
the occupation Of a line across the Lao
Tung Peninsula. for the purpose of cut
ting of Port Arthur. the isolation OF
ViadiyostCck and the establishment of
a base The last mentioned movement
might be accomplished by landing
near the mouth OF Tayang river, which,
by threatening the flank Of the Russian
position at Feng Huan Cheng. might
render il untenabie and make the ad-
vance q column from Korea compare
lively easy.
Vii! Not be Hurried.
London, By CaDle.-The far Eastern
dispatches Monday morning are chiefly
concerned with the reports and specu-
lations concerning the japanese land
iugs and the plan OF campaign. The
Daily Telegraph's Toxic correspondent
says the present delay is more appar-
ent than real. both as regards field and
naval operations. The japanese. ac-
cCrding to report, are acting prudently
and will net be hurried. They realize
that certain movements must precede
the next coupe by land and sea, and
they are awaiting both favorable
weather and occasion. and from Port
Arthur to Vladiyostock are on the
alert The Morning Posts Shanghai
correspondent says that spies have in
formed the Russians at Kin Chau that
japanese warships. conveying trans
ports with 10000 troops. are steaning
northward. The Daily Telegraph's cor
respondent cables that second Japan
ese army will sail shortly and viii
land on the Island o. Diawato, near
Yongsmpho.