The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-25
MAY INVADE CHINA.
Russia Expects Japan to Violate Its
 Pledge.


 St. Petersburg. March 24-The war of flee Is in receipt of persistent reports that the Japanese are preparing to land OH neutral Chinese territory on the west coast of the gulf of Liao Tung, either at Tien Kai Cheng, in Kin Chau bay or at Shan Hai Kwan.
 Although slow to believe that Japan deliberately contemplates a violation of her pledge to respect Chinese neutrality territory, the reports received at the ministry of war are so specific that they compel consideration. The presence of disguised Japanese soldiers acting as spies along the Shan Hai Kwan road has been established and Russian agents re- port that there is every indication of an intended landing on the west coast of the gulf of Liao Tung The information conveyed by these agents seems to coin- eide with other information indicating a complete change in the Japanese plan of campaign, or of it's entrance into a sec ond stage. practically involving the aban- donment of further heavy landings of troops in Korea.
 According to advices received by the government there are only about 70.o0o Japanese troops ins the Hermit Kingdom at present. It is considered probable that the Japanese reckoned on complete mob iliZation there much sooner, but difficult ties met with in the transporting of troops from Japan and over the roads in Korea proved more serious than expected and the Japanese found themselves unable to deliver a frontal attack in Manchuria be- fore the Russian troops arrived in sufti- cient force to check them.
 At any rate the latest advices indicate that the Japanese will not send many more soldiers into Korea.
 They make a diversion at POaqaf Ray | in the direction of Vladivostok, but their main objective henceforth will be in the | gulf of Liao Tung.
 If the information received is correct, the Japanese have dis. vered that land | ing on the peninsular is too hard a nut to crack, and have elected to land on the Chinese side, where there will be no army to repel them. The only two points feasible for landing are Chin Wan Tao and Tien Kiau Cheng which are connect ed by rail respectively with Shanhai Kwan and Kau Klau on the Pekin rail- roaw. A landing at either place would | give the Japanese possession of a splen- did strategic line by which to strike the Russian flank and if desired to hold Pekin in subjection.
 The Russians have little faith in the Chinese generals. Ma and Mu. who might disregard orders from Pekn and join IcfCeS Wltn tue JdpdEeSe. Ie huSSldH military authorities have felt themselves compelled to consider the foregoing pos | sihility and to take the necessary pre- caution The international complications which might arise ovt of a Japanese larding on neutral Chinese territory have also received careful considerat ton, for although 1t is specifics fly declared that 1t Is not believed Japan would care to violate the agreement made in response to the note of United States Secretary O. State Hay. as well as in Japan's other public provisions. there is reason to af- firm that the Russian line of conduct iu such a contingency has already beer | decided upon in principle. The assur- ances obtained from Pekin require that | the Chinese authorities should oppose with their army such a step on the part | of Japan A high Russian official said to tho Associated Press:
 'It would have worse consequences for other powers than Russia if Japan should