New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-19
TIE WAR.

At last we are getting some war news which
seems 10 be definite and Trustworthy. and which
at any rate is COMPREHENSIVE; which latter is
moro than could De said OF much that preceded
ID for q fortnight. Tho chef feature 60 81 lS
that the Japanese have compelled the Eussians
10 retire from An-Ju and are themselves hold
ing that place IN fCrce. with the.r base at Ping
Yang ana their lines extended along the Ching
Chonc River. Now. An-Ju is on the great high
road which runs the length of C3rea. chiefly
near the west coast and is Fifty miles north ~
piug-Tang and seventy southeast Of Wi-Ju on
The Talu River. The Chiu--ghoug River IS the
uortnernmost large stream in Corea nj the west
size OF the peninsula. flowing parallel with Che
Yalu and about seventy miles from t. Just
south OF Jhr river and parallel with 1t runs
high mountain range from The west coast 10 the
centre OF the peninsula. with only one good pass
through 81. ar S0uls-CLycn, bv which passage IS
made between An-Ju and rinSIong. These
conditions make the lac CT the Ching Choug
particularly strong one sjratcCically, and 81
may weu serve as Tire first great line Of jap
ancse operations in Corea. II viii he recalled
that some Of the chief operations Of the Chino
Japanese War occurred in this part Of Corea.
wherefore il Is 20 be assumed the japanese are
perfectly familiar with tie "l8y Of The Land
and all its strategic possibilities.
The Russians have withdrawn 20 the Yalu
River with most e their forces. though leaving
q dc.a-hmcut az Clonr-Ju. That place is on
the Liehrcad from An-Ju toward tic Yalu
about thIrty-ive miles from tie former II is
probable that the COssacks who remain there
have been Iefr for observation rather than for
Sighting and viii retire Il the japanese advance
J Tie Russians are inclined 20 compel the Jap
! anese 10 take the aggressive, which Is wise
4 For lac R-ssians 10 attack the japanese on the
. |#fr Sea- q. o.. nh.
4 would Ice attacking force az least as strong as
their own and in a superior position. But IL
! they retire 10 the Nalu and await The japanese
J attack the conditions viii be reversed the Rus
! slams having the stronger position. Moreover.
! in fighting At Au-Ju or PinE-NaE- the Russians
/ might De taken in The flank bg- a japanese army
! from WonSau or Port Lazaraf. where a large
/ japanese force IS said 20 have been landed; bat
/ 81 would be q difficult Il not impossible thing
1 for the japanese 10 bring such la2king force
/ against tie Russians CT the Yalu.
/ ii IS significant too, that General KuroUatlin
/ IS 20 make his headquarters az Liao-Yang. IEc
/ win rot rashly rush into the hornets nest at
/ Port Arthur. nor attempt long range work from
J Hardin. At L.a0-YarG hc VIII bc about midway
4 between M1uEdcu and Ncw-Clvaug and at The
/ point where the great hi-hroad from che mouth
/ Of The Talu River Reaches the M3nchUrian I;all-
road. Il is 81 Cact the natural base OF operations
I On the Nalu. and az tic same time is ia touch
1 with Port Arthur YinEkow and all places in
] Southern ManchUria. Il is decidedly the
strongest strategic point in an that region and
4 win afford General NUrcDatkin the best pos
I slble facilities for directing the war al once On
, the Regents Sword and on the Corean frontier
IL Is probable that The falling back OF the Rus
/ SLAMS in Coroa is ut his suggestion and IS meant
10 postpone any serious engagement uutil hls
arrival az the front Tor a fortnight the war
iGs seemed % lag though we doubt no. the time
Las been crowded with strenuous preparations