The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1904-04-07
JAPS sweeping
northern KOREA
HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED ON
RUSSIANS AT KAsAN AND
cHENGJU.
BALTIC FLEET TO SAIL
FOR EAST IN JULY
Big Army Of Japan Reported in Mo.
tion-Rumored Plan Of Campaign
Damage Of Bombardment at Port
Arthur Said to Be Slight.

Toxic, April 5.-Russia's losses In
the skirmish at Kasan, March rs. and
in that at Chengju, March %, reach
1900, over 900 of these being killed
wounded. The Japanese losses
are reported as insignificant.
The advance guard Of the Japanese
army in northwestern Korea occu-
pied the town OF Sengcheng Saturday
afternoon without opposition. Seng-
cheng is on the Peking road, Is miles
west Of Chengju, and about 40 miles
south of Wiju.
Baltic Fleet to 90 East.
st. Petersburg, April 5.-The car
has decided that the Baltic e fleet
will sail for the far east on July Is,
at the latest. 1t is stated that Great
Britain has sent u that the
fleet will be allowed to pass through
the Suez canal. The ice on Lake Bal
kal has begun to break up. Gaps of
40 yards are appearing in many
places.
Jap Plan Of Campaign.
Shanghai, April ga letter received
here from Kobe, Japan, says the Jap
anese government has 260, 900 troops in
motion, and fully $4,000 mor under
arms and in garrisons and at the de-
pots. These numbers are exclusive of
the third reserves, numbering 120, 900,
which have not been called to the colors.
The exact number of troops which have
left Japan for their various destina-
lions is not known, but the entire
first army has been landed and has es-
tablished itself in northwestern Korea,
with it's main base at Chinampho. The
Japanese general staff still carefully
guards the plan of campaign, but it is
generally believed that it will operate
three armies, each nominally number
ing 1000 0 men, the second army land
ing west of the Yalu river and the third
army east of Newchwang. The landing
of the latter two armies will be easily
accomplished. forthelight cruiser squad
rons can protect both movements. 1t is
thought that the landing of a heavy
Japanese force west of the mouth of the
dlu WILL 1OlSC LIZ ASuooAdAo " dOoAAOA
the Notifications which they have been
erecting north of the Yalu for the pur-
pose of opposing the crossing of the
first army of Japan from Korea. It IL
also anticipated that the three great
Japanese forces will operate in con-
junction, the third army swinging east
ward, to Newchwang. selling or cutting
the railroad, and then engaging in a
turning movement against the main
Russian position.
The Japanese are confident that the
Russians will be unable to transport
supplies sufficient to maintain in Man.
churia a force larger than 300, 1000 men
The heavy ~detachments necessary tt
guard the railroad and supply bases will
1t is claimed, reduce the Russian fight
ing force to about 200, 900 men. TIL.
Japanese are requisitioning Thousands
of horses. and it is probable that a con
siderable detachment of cavalry will &C
company each army. 1t seems certain
that Vice Admiral Togo's failure to eff
fectually dispose of the Russian fee
at Port Arthur has delayed the Japanes,
land operations. A general thaw is nov
proceeding in Korea and Manchuria
rendering the country roads impassabl
and making it impossible to conduc
general military operations until tn
ground hardens.
Says Little Damage Was Done.
Tientsin, April Sit is stated tina
viceroy Alexief, who for the past fou
days has been at Port Arthur on a visi
Of inspection, has found ~eyerythin,
highly satisfactory. The damage don
by the bo%mbardments Of the Japanes
feet is said to have been insignifcan,
j. 1t is generally believed that the Japan
ese will not attack Newchwang. It /
thought that their opportunity ha
passed. The Russian forces are read
and prepared to defend the place. Th
task of the Japanese, il they should b
eventually successful, is becoming dali
more difficult.