The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-24

wv lessly awaiting news of the
landing of Japanese forces at
Niuchwang. or of an attack upon Vladi-
vostok by the japanese navy, strategists
American army and naval officers who
know the art and science or war-are
watching the .Yalu River and studying
the work the Japanese have done that
they may not be dislodged from Korea,
where they have become so thoroughly
Intrenched.
The naval victories of Japan at
Chemulpo and Port Arthur were glo-
rious, but why don't they fight on land?
Why does not Japan strike while the
iron is hot. and repeat its sea victo-
RES on land?" persons ask whose knowl-
edge of war is based only on the &C
counts of engagements printed in the
newspapers from day 20 day.
Skilled strategists. whose experience
In the field enables them to understand
the difficulties of occupying and holding
a country as rough as Korea, are
amazed by the achievements of the Jap
anese on land. and exclaim: The world
has never seen anything more remark
able than the well-ordered campaign
which Japan has waged in Korea"
To the casual newspaper reader few
clashes between Cossacks and japanese
outposts at Ping-Yang and the an
nouncement that the Japanese have
finally reached the Yalu River and are
intrenching themselves there mean lit
tie. To the trained military man the
arrival of the Japanese at the Yalu In
dicates a great achievement for Japan
1t means the japanese have gone as
far north as they intend to go with
great army. and are at last intrenched
where they will eventually meet the
enemy.
The Coming Battle Ground.
Rumors of the landing of large forces
at Niuchwang and Possiet Bay do not
distract the attention of the skilled mill
tsrv man from the northern boundary
Of Korea. where he realizes the battles
must take place Small campaigns may
be carried out in other parts OF Man
churia by the Japanese to harass the
Russians, but United States army OF
ficers are agreed the great engagements
between the warning land forces must
he near the Korean border. Japan IS
doubtless endeavoring to give the i'm
pression that she is about to inaugurate
campaigns in remote parts OF Man
churia. and newspapers are publishing
much information which would tend 10
show that such is the case; but there is
no positive information that large bodies
of Japanese troops have landed OUTSIDE
OF Korea A steady stream OF Japanese
soldiers has poured into Chemuipo since
the brilliant naval victory which mace
IL possible for the japanese TO controi
the east coast Of Korea. Gradually tne
military strength of japan has worked
toward the Yalu River. where niii'ArS
experts say it Will stop
Niuchwang, Port Arthur. and Nlaoi-
vostok are vulnerable points. and 1t Is
believed by strategists all these cities
will be harassed by the japanese navy
which IS destined 10 run affairs on sea
at will. at least until the Russians are
REINFORCED by vessels from European
waters. Even land expeditions may De
attemuted through those ports, but sucn
expeditions will be small as compared
with the movements along the Yalu
River.
What Japan Is Fighting For.
Roth political and strategic conditions
make it certain that the great battles
Of the war Will be fought near tho
YaIu. Korea is what Japan is fighting
for. The peninsula has been fortineo
by the japanese, and will be derendeo
bv them. Their cause will be strength
ened by limiting their activity chlehS
70 the territory they claim Then IRON
a strategic point OF view 1t would b'
r,linous for japan TO wander away from
Korea, its base Of supplies, and pursue
the Russians far into a country japan
cannot hope to control
Even in the event OF a Japanese vic
tory in the present war II is unlikel,
that Japan can gain possession of Man
churia. Trade concessions Of grea
value 10 the Japanese may be forceC
from the Russians. but Japan car
scarcely hope TO acquire more territor!
than the Korean peninsula
Prepared for Long Campaign.
In direct water communication will
its base Of supplies. the japanese arm,
along the Yalu River is prepared u
endure a long campaign IN that region
while the Russians along the Yalu can
not receive supplies by water, and hav
inadequate facilities for Transporting
provisions overland through the rougl
country separating them from thei
railroad Consequently a waiting gam
on the Yalu will be less disastrous I
the japanese than 10 the Russians.
Russia probably has not dared 10 hop
that IL can gain control OF Korea. Thl
would be as much out OF the questio
as the control Of Manchuria by JapaI
Still the two nations guard the banks @
the Yalu zealously. each fearing that tn
other will get the larger slice OF tn
spells.
While the skilled strategist emphasize
the Importance of the situation
Korea, he does not detract in the leas
from the movements OF land and Sc
forces along the Manchurian coast an
in the interior of Manchuria- Campaign
conducted away from the great cente
OF action in this war will doubtless
OF greater magnitude than the chic
movements in many recent wars, and
study OF the entire country within n
war zone is interesting.