Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-03-18

odse VI oF's'oh SpSTations-NTe
Drilling Hard-Under Marching Or
ders-Japs Are Active.
There is new menace In the situ-
alton in China. The French and Eng.
lish garrisons at Shan Hal Kwan are
snarling at each other menacingly and
threaten to embroil the two great ma
tions. The soldiers Of the two ma.
tions stationed in that fortified city are
constantly on the verge Of serious
conflict. Insults continually are band.
led between the men and personal as
saults are frequent.
The Sikhs, who make up the British
forces, are drilled five hours every day,
and Shan Hal Kwan will be the Brit
ish base of operations in China. 1t is
a city on the Liao Tung gulf, about
half way between Tlentsin and New
chwang, and Just across the gulf from
the last named city. All the British
troops in north China are under march.
ing orders.
Newchwang has become the point
toward which the chief interest In the
conflict between the Russians and
Japanese now tends. The Japanese
are about to strike there. They al.
ready have landed and are In force
at Feng Huan, 10 miles southwest Of
Newchwang. It is expected that
portion of the Japanese feet will ap-
pear before Newchwang within the
next "a hours. The Russians are pre-.
pairing to evacuate Newchvang. They
retire to Mukden, which they have
strongly fortified. A collision between
the Russians and Japanese at or near
Newchwans Is momentarily expected.
The British troops are under orders
to march into Newchwang whenever it
is evacuated by the Russians. This
movement will be In the interest of
the protection Of the property Of Eu-
ropeans. The railway is prepared to
move tho entire noncombatant popula-
ton Of Newchwang to Tientsin as soon
as fighting begins.
But the backward movements of the
Russians-the retreat from New
chwang upon Mukuen-is likely to dis
turb the neutrality Of China. The Chi
nese army on the northern frontier is
eager to engage the Russians, and, as
told in a former dispatch, the most
severe measures are necessary to pre-
vent an outbreak of patriotic agitators.
A retreat by the Russians Is likely to
cause the Chinese to strike.
Evidently the Japanese are prepar-
ing for Z great triangular ASSAULT
simultaneous movement against the
russians on the Yalu. against Port
Arthur and against Newchwang. Trains
the north are carrying small COM
Ianies Of Japanese, Of officers and Of
men, and a collision near Newchwang
must occur very soon. ..
Should the Japanese leave New.
,hwang they will in all probability de-
icend upon and sever the Russian line
II communications between Port Ar
hur and the headquarters and Muk-
len. Newchwang is connected by rail
With the Russian railway line. With
he force at Feng Huan the Japanese
llready may have made a sortie and
ut the railroad connecting the two
tiles. They then couiu attack Port
>rthur from the rear, Just as they did
,hen they captured the place from the
Jhinese.
Japs Supreme.
AS already suggested in previous dis
,atchaa tho rpnid deye1onment of Inn,
.nese sea supremacy may be consider
d responsible for the present apparent
lelay In the Japanese military opera
ions. Practical landing places are
ard to find, all inlets and bays being
illed with ice, while the recent re-
urn of wintry conditions adds to the
lifficulties.
Japs in Excellent Spirits.
The Japanese army Is in excellent
ealth and spirits. and are warmly
lothed.
1t seems certain that no great land
perations can be expected for some
ime, or until the weather conditions
re better than at present.
The late reports from scout steam
,rs which are covering every foot of
The Korean coast Indicate that there
are no Russian craft In any of the in.
cts.
One Fort Dismantied.
A dispatch from Chefoo to the Lon.
ion Daily Mail states that their cor.
succeeded In approaching