The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-13
COMPLETE DEFEAT
OF RUSSIAN PLANS
Gar Expected to Staye Off
Japan's Attack.
LIKE A BLOW FROM THE SKY
Mikado Violated No Law by Striking
Effectively Before Formal
Declaration of War.

"An the developments so far in the
war between Russia and Japan show a
defeat of Russian plans It is clear
Russia expected to keep the war off as
long as It desired. The Russian fleet
expected TO stay bottled in the Port
Arthur harbor and doubtless did not
think IL would be forced into a fight. "
said a well-known strategist at the War
Department 'Japan's swift action
seems to have come as a blow from a
clear sky.
"Still Japan has not violated any of
the etiquette of war. II has gone out Of
fashion to declare war formally before
striking the first blow. The United
States did not declare war before it
started in on Spain, and Japan cannot
be said to have committed any crime
against the rules of war. international
law does not require formal declarations
of war. The japanese have done moth
ing which Justifies the Russians in call
ing them bad names and charging them
with improper conduct
Will Sweep OF Warships.
1T is clear that Japan realizes fully
the necessity for sweeping all Russian
warships of the Eastern seas without
delay. Such action will make It pos
sible for the Japanese to land troops IN
Manchuria and Korea at viii. 1t will
probably be only a few weeks until
Japan has 100000 soldiers in Korea and
Manchuria, and a terrific land engage
ment may be expected near the Yalu
River somewhere in a short time
With 9,uD troops at Seoul already.
Japan mas shown how swiftly she
can move when occasion demands. The
engagement at Chemuipo will proba bly,
be repeated many times before serious
land nights take place anywhere except
ing at Port Arthur. OF course the pan
to cut of the peninsula on which Porl
Arthur is located from the mainland
is well launched now. ana both sea and
land nghting may be expected there fo1
an indefinite time. The Siege OF Port
Arthur will doubtless be a long one
Russian officials say they have provisions
enough IN the city TO last for two years
With the Port Arthur railway still run.
ming the peninsula will be able to draw
upon Hardin for supplies and il will be
practically impossible for the JAPANESE
TO take the city. 1t is not likely. how
ever, that this railway will remain in
tact very long.
Movement of Troops.
When the japanese troops begin tt
move in great numbers upon Manchuris
BY way of Korea, as they will doubtless
be divided and the japanese will hav,
a better chance at Port Arthur. 1t hai
been suggested by European militar,
authorities that Russia will not suffe
materially if Port Arthur does fal
into the hands OF the Japanese, ant
that Russia might well abandon Por
Arthur IL IL became necessary to con
centrate its strength on Hardin, the cit
at which the NladivOstok and Port Ar
thur railways merge into the slsgle linz
which connects Manchuria with Russia
.-Other authorities on military an,
naval affairs believe the fail OF Por
Arthur would be a terrible blow to Rus
STA. The fragments Of its navy woul'
then be forced TO escape to Nladivostok
Although Russia has only a single
dock at Port Arthur in which warshIp
NAV be repaired its loss would be seri
Gus at this time. Then the capture o
Port Arthur would probably inspire al
attack upon Nladivostok by the jap
anese.