The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-04-20
mANEuvERlNG FOR POSITION.
Virtually No Land Fighting Has Yet
Taken Place in tic Far East.


Taken Place in tic Far East.
Maneuverink fur position seems to be
the only term which viii fit the lahd
movements in the war betwsen Russia
and Japan in the far East. Virtually
no fighting on land mas taken place up
TO the present writing. 1t seems TO be
established, however, that Russia has
been driven out of Korea. The Jap
aneSe now hold possession of the entire
county. Press dispatches from several
different sources confirm the news Of
Russia's rout. These dispatches say
that the Russians have retreated across
the Yalu river, which separates Korea
from Manchuria and that such state
of panic exists that the Cars soldiers
have abandoned positions which might
have been defensible.
In less than eight weeks the japanese
army has landed at Chemulpo, marched
west thirty-five miles to Seoul, the cap
ital Of Korea, established a military base
there, swung to the left, marched 100
miles TO Pingyang, fortified that place
strongly, created base there, extended
strongholds from Pingyang across the
Korean peninsula to Gensan, pressed
nurthward to Chongju, driving the Rus
slams out of it, continued the march to
WiJc. and occupied that town without a
struggle.
During the 300 mile march from Seoul
to Wiju there were no battles and few
skirmishes. The Russians were not in
force below the Yalu and made no seri-
GUS effort to hinder the Japanese adj
vance. Nevertheless the Japanese have
already proved themselves to be great
soldiers. They have shown that they
possess wonderful military organiza-
ton, that they understand far more per-
fectly than do the Americans how to CO.
ordinate the movements of the navy and
the army.
The march from Seoul to Win must
have been bitterly hard one. The roads
were frozen and deep in snow at the
beginning of the war; they are now knee
or waist deep in mud They are at the
best of seasons and in the best of con-
ditions narrow, uneven, and of insecure
footing.
Over 800 miles of such footing the
japanese army has trudged at an aver
age rate Of six miles day. Six miles
a day is not much for a forced march
Of picked troops, but it is a good, solid
eight-week average for an army carry
ing its provisions and artillery with it.
Especially is this true when the six
miles is reeled off over Korean roads at
the time when winter yields to spring.
1t was chiefly over Korea that the war
was caused. The Russians wanted at
least half of the country. Japan would
not consent to the advance of Russia
70, oil, fSf thn IL
Japan knew full well that aggressive
Russia would not long be content with
merely portion of Korea. You must
keep out of Koreaw was the edict of
japan.
But mighty Russia was bent on her
purposes, and the world doubted the
power Of Japan to make good its ulti-
matum. Yet in two months, Japan has
cleared Korea of the Russians, and now
holds by force Of arms the little king
dom which played so prominent a part
in the diplomacy that ended in war.
Japan is now in position to invade
Manchuria itself. When Japan does
this, European statesmen predict car
mage of battle, compared to which the
past events of the war will be Of little
consequence.
Ii the Russians draw up their forces
in Manchuria they are not confronted
with the danger of being taken in the
rear by the fleet Manchuria is not, like
Korea. a peninsula. The feet can get
behind no army In Manchuria. 1t was,
therefore, probably their loss Of the sea
which caused the Russians not to fight
for Korea in Korea.
The japanese occupy Korea. But that
does not signify that the Japanese will
continue in possession Of it after the
treaty Of peace is signed If the Rus
slams can shatter the Mikado's forces in
Manchuria they may be able to compel
his men to retrace the steps Of their
wonderful march. But one thing is sure
THAT the japanese retreat through
Korea would be far bloodier affair for
both sides than was the japanese adj
vance,