New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-20
NOTES ON THE WAR.

II It be indeed true. ss reported and cor
roborated, that the original japanese plan OF
campaign was betrayed by a traitor to the Rus
SLAMS the delay IN japanese movements is
amply explained. Such a betrayal Of plans
would necessitate the making OF entirely new
ones and that cannot be done in day More
over, Il would necessitats a vast amount OF
work IN the field IN moving Of troops and sup
plies constructing roads etc There IS too. the
consideration that as the original plans we're
doubtless the best that could be devised. the
substitutes are not quite so satisfactory. But
prudent military authorities must always have
alternative plans. and The japanese are doubt
less now acting upon theirs. Present Interest
centres upon the expected landing OF 4 japanese
army either between the Talu and Port Arthur
il the neighborhood OF EinB- how. or course,
the Russians will strain every nerve TO be on
the sp0I and prevent them from landing. But
an army on ships Is more mobile than an army
land, especially on such roadless land as
Manchuria. and Il VIII be strange II soon the
japanese do not find some temporarily unguard-
ed spot upon which TO land under the guns OF
their feet u seems still probable. We have
all along suggested. that the japanese viii await
such landing and the diversion Il viii create
before trying 70 cross the falu with their Co
rean army. When the landing Is made, a land
battle viii at last be within measurable dis
tnuce.
When the two armies do clash IN earnest.
cording TO the best information obtainAols. the
japanese army is fully equipped with quick
firing and machine guns. while only about half
the Russian guns are OF such patterns. On the
other hand. Japan was one OF the first nations
70 adopt such guns. and consequently her guns
are OF the oldest style. Russia has been the last
TO adopt them, and her guns are OF the newest
style.
General DragomiroT than whom there IS no
ri IN haa frCr,,
the outset been In favor OF the abandonment;
Of Port Arthur. He held Immediately after the
first attack by the japanese that the place was
uutenable and that efforts TO hold II would be
costly and ineffective. There was this flaw IN
his programme. however that evacuation By the
fleet would mean the loss OF the feet. The army
might easily get away. but the feet could not.
unless It could go out ard destroy the Japanese
feet, which OF course. was impossible The at
tempt TO hold the place has proved costly. indeed.
and seems likely 20 prove futile. The worst OF
Il Is that no corresponding cost has been i'm
posed upon the japanese. Had the Russian fleet
gone out and fought IN the open. In a gallant
effort TO reach vladivostok. or to make It's way
back 10 Europe. It would almost certainly have
been destroyed But It would almost IS Ger
tainly have inflicted some heavy losses upon It's
foe That from General Dragomirons point Of
view. would have been much better than stay
ing at Port Arthur and being destroyed piece
meal and leaving the japanese feet unlnjured
The name Of the III fated Petropavlovsk re-
calls 70 mind the Siberian coast fortress FOR
which the ship was called. It IS notable for
having the grave OF Vltus Behring. and for hav-
ing, also enc OF the finest harbors IN the world.
But that harbor Is icebound for much or the
year. and at al times Is one Of the loneliest
places In the world.
Prince Khilof, the Russian Minister OF Rail
roads promises that the Siberian line around
Lake Baikal VIII be IN working order by the
middle OF August II so. that viii be worth
more than an army corps to Russia. Even in
summer the ferrying OF the lake is great
obstacle to transit. In winter Il IS most
rious blockade Crossing on the ice Is slow
and dangerous operation There are weeks
when the ice cannot be used, and yet boats
cannot run. and when tedious land march is
necessary. The boats run when the ice IS
not more than three feet thick. thanks to
Nakarofs ice breakers, but then the one steam
er can carry not more than seventy cars a day.
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wORI ms SUNDAY SCHOOL CONNENTI0N