New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-04
VAR VIEWS OF EXPERTS.
Little VII BE Done IN Rainy Sea-
son, 1t Is Thought.
TPRox THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington July 3.-The announcement that
the Japanese had determined 10 allow no inter-
ference by the weather with their plans Of war
fare has awakened the curiosity OF the military
experts. They are az q loss TO understand what
devices will serve the intrepid invaders>in their
dire extremity Of climate The rainy season. as
Il exists in Manchuria, IS considered formula
bic obstacle 10 anything Hike military mobility.
and il there is any truth In the statement that
the japanese have arranged 20 overcome the ef-
feet OF the continual rain they have contributed
some important novelty 10 the means OF war
fare. Some OF the American officers say that the
japanese can have obtained nothing which will
Offset the deluge which renders impas sable the
lev roads within the zone OF military activity
The natives ordinarily attempt no travel In that
country during the rainy season. and Il IS incon-
eevahle, say American officers that TROOPS en-
numbered with the outfit of battle can make any
progress.
The supplies for the population are carried
In the dry season. and nearly everything sus-
ponds during the heavy rains. IT is out OF the
question 20 employ any special means of trans
portation because nothing has been invented
which VIII permit travel in a district where the
m06 Is Of = consistency to require navigation.
Even the military balloon has not reached the
stage OF perfection 10 make Il OF much use ex-
oept as a means Of observation. Its carrying
qualities are restricted. The only hope OF the
japanese according 10 American officers is IN
the direction Of the corduroy road. This is a
FORM OF construction used In swampy countries
ana 10 some extent in the tropics where the
heaNy rains make the roads impossible But
me making Of q corduroy road is a gigantic
TASK IL would require the employment OF
many men. and in the most favorable circum-
stances OF labor and accessibility OF material Il
would be tremendous task TO build 100 miles
OF such road That distance does not count
tor much in military travel where the movement
OF an army might we'll embrace a thousand
miles. American officers naturally believe that
very little VIII be accomplished during the rains
IN Manchuria
The naval and military attaches with the Rus
sian and japanese armies are sending less and
less information. Whatever has como from the
seat OF war has possessed special value be-
yond exhibiting the perfection OF beiligerenr
censorship. The Navy Department has learned
that Lieutenant Newton A. Mccully. Of the
United States Navy. is now at Port Arthur. and
far as is known he is the only representative
az American naval or military forces az thai
Russian base. His presence there is Of great
Importance as a of later infornla ton
He has made numerous observations the mos
Important OF which he has probably retained
in the form OF private notes or intrusted 10 nj,
memory. II is imagined that the careful Rus
slams have not permitted the Keeping or an,
records, lest by some accident the document
should fan into the hands OF the enemy at
time when the record would be OF value TO them
The officers here who following the news
from the Far East complain AT what appears Il
them 10 be faulty translation OF official dis
patches. They say there is an inconsistenc,
about some OF the information which shoul'
be faultless, and this is attribuated 10 the de
.ects IN the rendition OF the Russian and IN,
Japanese messages into English.