Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-04-04

FIELD MARSHAL YAMAGATA. chun, about forty-fve miles west of Chengju, from which place also they drove the Russians after a brief en- gagement.
 Chengju, because of it's superior sur roundings. is the strongest place be- tween Pingyang and Wiju. Besides these natural advantages there is an old Korean fort there, which, had 1t been defended with spirit, would have been hard to take. The Japanese are gratified at the comparative ease with which they drove the Russians from this part of the country.
 Russian patrols are reported to be in the country east of the Peking road, but 1t is not probable that there is any considerable force of Russians in that section. The patrols are withdrawing gradually to the northward toward the Yalu.
 It is reported that the ice on the Yafu is well broken up, and in the fu- ture the river must be crossed either in junks or over pontoon bridges.
 Five Japanese transports, carrying light artillery, cavalry and infantry, have arrived at Chemulpo, and the troops have gone forward by train to join General Haraguchi, the newly ap- pointed commander of the Japanese forces at Seoul.
 A Port Arthur report says prepara- tions have been made to give the Japa- nese warm reception in case they again attempt to block the harbor.
 Vice Admiral Togo was right i'll sur missing that Vice Admiral Makaroff is responsible for the change in Russian naval tactics and for the inspiration of Russian seamen.
 A signal man named Andronsenko who during the bombardment of Ylad- ivostok remained alone at a small sig nal station on Askold island, near the enemy's ships, and wired information of the movements of the enemy to the 1 fortress, has been decorated with the cross of St. George.
 A report from Tokyo says that Field Marshal Yamagata, who, after the en- peror, is first in command of the Jap anese forces and was the original or gantzer of the Japanese army, has i stated that the Japanese may have to { fight odds of two to one and that the clash may come at the Yalu river. 1 The marshal continued:
 Russian troops have been coming 1 south for long time, and 1t is evident i conflict must result. As matters have l turned out it would have been better ] If the war had occurred when the Rus rians first occupied Manchuria, because ever since they have been strengthen Ing their position in that province. Our i statesmen, however, wished to pre- serve peace as long as possible. 1t is l difficult to say where the first big land battle will take place. The Russians seem to be in force between Liaoyang I and Kaiping on the Manchuria rail- road They may cross the mountains and possibly meet us at the Yalu-
 There ia no doubt that. the Cossack cavalry will worry the Japanese army. which was originally intended for home defense in the mountainous country and is mainly composed of infantry. We must work with the material we possess When the Japanese army is carnnared with other armies. 1t must h@
 remembered that 1t has EeSn organizet
 only lately. I had no small share il
 its organization, and therefore I SC.
 its faults and try to improve it, but
 never find that it reaches my ideal''
 It Is reported from Seoul that 2,OOg
 Russian troops, including Cossacks anc
 1nfantrymen, are intrenched about the
 gates on the south side of Wiju
 According to statements made by
 Koreans, the Russians are utilizing
 trained dogs to act as message bear