The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-05-10
HARD FIGHTING EXPECTED
Russia viii Strike Hard After Japs
nese Are Ashore.

nese Are Ashore.
81. Petersburg, May with Vice
Admiral Togo lowering in the imme-
diate vicinity OF Port Arthur and trans
ports loaded with troops lying at Pit
sewo northeast OF that stronghold,
Russia has braced herself for impend-
ing conflicts with the enemy in which
she will again play a defensive role.
this time, il is hoped with better sue
cess and. therefore, with less sacrifice
of life than in the engagements on the
Yalu.
The war commission sat until Z
O'Clock this morning. md at the close
OF the session il was announced that
there was nothing TO communicate to
the public. Il is known, however. that
the emperor has been informed OF the
presence OF a Japanese fleet on the
Lao Shan promontOry and the appear
ance OF transports at Pitsewo.
The fact that the two events oc-
Cured simultaneously may have sig.
nihcance II a landing should take
place at Pitsewo. it Is anticipated that
Togo's battleship squadron will bonn
bard Port Arthur in order to prevent
the garrison from sending reinforce
ments hy railroad TO the troops oppos-
lng the Japanese there. Neither the ad-
miralty nor the war Office believes that
a Decentralization Of the Japanese can
be prevented as the guns of the Japa-
nase cruisers could command the point
OF landing: but after the Japanese are
ashore then the Russians will strike.
and. officers here say. will strike hard.
What force they will be able to bring
ND TO resist the invaders cannot be
stated definitely, the strength of the
army on the peninsula Of Lao Tung
having been kept a strict secret.
II is expected that the railroad VIII
play an important part in the effort
of the Russians 10 push the japanese
into the sea, as II will permit the rapid
transportation OF troops.
The general staff has not forgotten
that Japanese ships were sighted May
3 off Kaiping and Sinuchen. on the
west coast Of the Lao Tung peninsula,
but these two points could be readily
covered, II necessary, from New
chwang.
An important advantage would ac-
crue to the Japanese should they sue
coed in establishing themselves at Pit
sewo. From there radiate roads con-
Meeting with the railroad at Yang-Ti-
Tien. directly west TO south, with San
ehelipon and Kin Chow stations on the
railroad nearer Port Arthur north with
Kaiping. and northeast through Taku-
shan with Feng- Wang-Cheng.
A landing at this moment would
make it difficult for General Kuropat-
kin 10 concentrate a formidable force
against General Kuroki, whose forward
movement is not yet reported Further
more once the japanese are across the
railroad Port Arthur will be as good as
besieged.
4 member OF the general stan says
that General KurOpatkin is well aware
of these considerations. Even II the
Japanese should succeed in cutting the
railroad Port Arthur is now ready to
depend on its own resources.
Dispatches from Toxic telling OF eel
ebrations over the sealing of Port Ar
thur IL Is stated. are premature, OIL
cial adyices establishing beyond ques-
ton that the attempt Of Vice Admiral
Togo. May 3, to seal the port failed.
The absence of press dispatches tell
ing of the fight on the Yalu is partially
explained by the heavy mortality
among the correspondents. Three OF
the Novosti's correspondents are miss
ing and It is believed thev were killed
! while the Russ lost one or It's cores
pondents. The other journals are wiz
ing to ascertain II their representatives
are alive.
Vlceroy Alexieff has left Port Ar
thur TO confer with General Kuropat
kin at Lao Yang. to which place the
general will return Immediately after
an inspection of the troops at Feng-
Wang Cheng. Rear Admiral Wittsoeft,
chief of stan TO Viceroy Alexleff, has
been left In charge of the naval forces
at Port Arthur.