New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-27
NOTES ON THE VAR.

TIE news of General Rennenkampfs incursion
into Corea appears at once to confirm and to ex-
plain last weeks somewhat uncertain Tumors OF
a Russian advance upon Won-San What has
occurred seems to be substantially this: Several
small parties OF Cossacks have invaded COrea at
various points along the northeast boundary
Some. crossing the Tumen at or near the sea,
have gone down the east coast to Song-Chin,
Puk-Chon or thereabouts and thence have
struck across country westward. Others, cross
ing the upper reaches OF the Yalu. moving
straight southwark. Pursuing such routes.
these various forces will come together perhaps
in the neighborhood OF Un-San, or at some point
near the road from Ping-Yang to Wttu, the
great land highway followed by the japanese IN
their advance to the Yalu The distance from
Puk-Chon to Un-San IS about one hundred and
twenty miles. and from the Yalu 10 the junction
OF the Chang-ChiE River TO Un-San about the
same distance. The roads are as bad as can be.
For heavy artillery or supply trains to traverse
them would probably be quite impossible. But
Cossacks can go wherever goats can ciimo. ana
so, though they may have had 70 go in single
hle It is entirely credible that they have made
the reported movement
The number attributed TO this Cossack force is
only two thousand That is not enough to offer
battle to the japanese. But 1t is enough TO
menace supply trains and bridges and other ele-
ments OF the Zines Of communication" A force
OF two thousand rough riding Cossacks. with a
Few machine guns OF MOUNTAIN nONAtIcIS NeiA-
ried on horseback and living the country.
could be a source OF irritation and actual danger
and would not be an easy thing to capture or de-
stroy. It's part In land warfare would be COM
parable with that of a swift cruiser with great
steaming capacity I'm naval warfare. The Jap
VIII be compelled either to send superior
force against It. to dispose Of 1t in some way. or
to maintain strong enough guards over their
lines of communication 10 protect them from It's
ATTACK. 1t would require considerable proper
ton of the japanese Army 20 defend the line
from the Yalu down TO Ping-Yang against pos
sible attack at any point and the japanese COM
manders would naturally dislike to employ
large force In that way a time when every
man is needed at the front But the alternative
would be to catch Rennenkampf, and that might
be as hard job the catching OF the elusive
De Wet was to the British in South Africa.
There are two forts near Ying-Kow. however.
one at each side of the very mouth Of the Lao
River These were built by the Chinese. and
were dismantied in 1895. The Russians have
recently occupied them and restored them to
fairly good fighting condition, and they would
be appropriate targets for Japanese guns. With
them disposed OF. landing could be made by
the japanese Army upon the salt marshes which
extend from the coast to the city. The city OF
Ying-Kow is surrounded with moat and a mud
wall about twenty feet high, which would not
prove particularly effective barriers against an
attacking force.
In brief, Russia is still holding all OF Man
churia, and has troops distributed pretty gen.
orally all along the Manchu-Corean frontier to
oppose the Japanese advance. In addition. she
has sent this flying column of Cossacks across
the border to annoy the flank Of the Japanese
Army. The Japanese on the other hand seem
to be concentrating their army at a single point
on the boundary. to wit, near the mouth OF the
Yalu, and to be trying. thus far in vain, to send
their fanking party around by sea. The sup
position some time ago was that they would
find this easy matter. because Of their prac-
teal control Of the sea. That they have not
done so indicates hitch of some sort in their
plans.
Talk Of the Baltic fleet is revived, and the date
of its departure for the Far East is now set for
July. Beyond doubt the present aspect of af-
fairs In Europe is unexpectedly favorable for the
sending of 1t. A year two ago the suggestion
that Russia might strip her Baltic shores and
harbors of all important warships for service at
the other side OF the world would have been
greeted with incredulity and derision. Now.
thanks largely to the peacemaking of England
and France. II does not seem altogether unrea-
sonable. The outlook IN Europe IS just now
phenomenaly peaceful. save in the Balkans.
and. OF course. any disturbance in the Balkans
would be attended TO by Russa's Black Sea
fleet. Tt seems. therefore. well within the
bounds of reason and probability that the Baltic
fleet VIII be sent eastward unless before the
change in the state OF the war.
Reports of Japanese bombardment of New
Chwang must be understood as referring 70
Wing Kow, the port OF New-Chwang. and not TO
New Chtvang proper. The latter is far inland.
on the Hai-Chow. a branch of the Lao River.
Ying-Kow. the port. is on the deep water estu-
airy of the Liao within couple Of miles OF the
sea, and might easily be bombarded without
entering the river. But seeing that It is a COM
mercial city. which has never been strongly
fortified. it does not seem probable that the
japanese would treat # quite as they have been
treating Port Arthur.