Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-22
VIEW OF OPERATIONS.
Capt. Gallagher, American Officer,
Sums Up Situation.

Which, judging from what has already
taken place, will probably be the scene
of the earliest great conflict on land,
lies within the 39th and 42d degrees of
north latitude--that is, between the
parallels that pass near Washington
on the south and Boston on the north.
The climates of the two regions. how
ever, are not similar. The cold is more
severe in northern Corea and central
Manchuria and this cold is intensified
by strong winds, which at this season
of the year especially sweep down
from the north, raising great clouds of
dust that has accumulated during the
months of winter.
But little snow falls and the rivers of
this region are frozen over and closed
to navigation from early December to
the end of March. These climatic con-
ditiOns will hamper and delay decisive
movements in the great land opera
lions for some time. In the meantime
both belligerents will continue to put
forth every effort to place great armies
in condition and position to assume an
active role as soon as the sever wealth
er moderates sufficiently to permit men
TO march without great hardship and
when much of the baggage required in
winter weather may be left behind.
The Japanese are deVoting great en-
orgy to the completion of the railroad
from F'usan to Seoul and beyond, in the
direction of the Yalu. They have made
Ping Yang. 20 miles north of Seoul,
their northern rendezvous. We hear Of
skirmishes between Russian and Japa-
in, tat, o. AIT,
which is situated in a defile on the di-
rect road to Win, about so miles north
Of Ping aYng. This skirmishing indi-
Gates that the Russians, in addition to
gathering their forces in preparation
or the great clash. are sending out
their scouts across the Yalu down to-
ward the enemy to observe, annoy and
lelay him as much as possible. The
Japanese are meeting these tactics by
pushing forward patrols to keep the
enemy's scouts from observing their
movements or ascertaining their
strength.
When the Yalu river opens the Rus
sian forces south of it will probably
withdraw and Japan will then find her.
self face to face with the first great
military problem in her land operations
the crossing of the Yalu in the face
Of ali active enemy. In this movement
she will no doubt receive the assistance
Of her navy. If the Russians remained
south of the Yalu they would have to
light a battle with the river behind
hem, and that river probably patrollet;
~ the cnemys warships.
The landing reported to have been eff
fected by the Japanese at Takushan,
III the north coast of Corea bay, ii
made at all was probably made in
small force and with the object of Gre
itins a diversion.
During the war with China the Jap
lnese landed large force upon this
cast about 80 miles from Takushan in
he direction of Port Arthur. They met
With no opposition. They can scarcely
looe 10 meet with equal good fortune
Under the present circumstances. 1t
may safely be assumed that the points |
tlOng this part of the coast where land |
ing is possible are we'll occupied by the
russians, and plans for reinforcing any
threatened locality have been carefully
arranged. Consequently, Japan could
not hope to accomplish anything in
that field without Il strong force.
To attempt to land and maintain
such q force in the face of an enemy
would indicate an estimate of that en-
emy. which the present circumstances
would decidedly not warrant That !
Japan is fully alive to the difference
in the conditions as they exist now and |
Is they We're 10 years ago is beyond |
loubt. The Chinese had no great |
railroad to protect and Port Arthur did |
not then possess the Importance for |
hem that it does now for Russia. A |
slower method and one presenting |
greater chances of success of penetrat- |
ing into the enemys country will prob |
ably commend itself to the japanese.
The reports of the evacuation of |
Port Arthur by the Russians have not |
been confirmed. and this lack of con- |
irmation should lead to considerable |
caution in accepting as true such re- |
ports. The effect Of fire from battle |
ships upon Notifications has been |
found quite insignificant when COM |
pared with the amount of energy ex-
pended against them. Port Arthur be- |
ing strongly fortified and armed after |
modern methods. it is safe to say that |
the damage so far sustained has not |
been of sufficient extent to cause any
consideration to be given to the ques-
ton of evacuation. The giving up of |
Port Arthur would mean the aband-
onmert of the feet in the harbor the
turning over to Japan of a good port
and q point Of great political import
ance i'm the. affairs of the east. Fur
Their, the japanese fleet now blockading
Port Arthur would be free for opera
tons elsewhere. The effects altogether
would be 50 far reaching that the evac-
uaticn Of Port Arthur must be consi-
dcred as still n remote possibility.
reference to Nin-Chwang has been
quite frequent in the press dispatches
of late. A knowledge Of It's situation
and The reasons for the importance
with which it is regarded would not
new be amiss. Like many harbors of
the orient. it is situated upon a river
at some distance from the sea The |
Lao river opens upon northeast coast |
of the Gulf of Tiao Tung, and at about
ID miles from its mouth. Niu-Chwang
Is situated. Boats drawing II 1-2 feet
easily ascend the river to that uolnt.