Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-12
JAPS ON THE MARCH.
Important Events Foreshadowed in
Manchuria-Hai-C heng Next.

A cablegram from St. Petersburg says:
Impending events of great Importance to
the military situation in Manchuria are
foreshadowed in official dispatches given
out by the war commission.
on May \ the japanese forces cautious
" moved from Feng-wang-cheng toward
Hai-cherg. which Is thirty-two miles east
by north of Niuchwang, and ii is the
opinion OF the general staff that they
should certainly reach their destination
within two days. If the Japanese occupy
Hai-cheng. with Port Arthur effectively
cut off, Niuchwang, which the Russians
have already dismantled would pass into
their hands. The entire Liaotung PENN
eula in fact, save Port Arthur, and per-
haps kdildng, would be commanded by
them.
The satisfaction felt at the re-estabish
ment of communication with Port Arthur
is increased by the knowledge that train
load of ammunition has been safely de-
Hvered to the fortress. This was done in
the presence of the enemy's army, which
landed at Piisewo, and which is apparently
on the eve of being reinforced by another
division on board thirty transports now ly-
Ing of Port Adams.
Mastery of Southern Manchuria.
The troops sent by Gen. Kuroh TO the
southwest of Feng- wang heng, which, ii
Is established. do not belong to third
army, none having landed at Takushan,
crossed the Tayang river May Z. and should
by this time he operating in the Liaotung
peninsula provided they continued is
regarded probable, the plan being to com
plete the mastery of southern Manchuria.
Besides acting energetically in southern
MaEchuria and moving on Hai-cheng, Gen.
kuroki kept in mind the necessity of out
Ranking Gen. Kuropatkin at Liaoyang, as
Is shown in the fact that the morning
of May 10, he started a formidable force,
consisting of a division of infantry and
forty guns and 1.5OO cavalry. toward Siam
atsi (Saimadza p. In view of Gen. kuropat-
A. ct. ,fp,st
10 of the line between Siamatsi and Fen
wang-cheng failed to show the presence of
Japanese. the authorities are puzzled as to
where the japanese force came from.
Japanese detachment is reported Of
fcially to have occupied Kwan-tein- sen
May d, but ii is believed likely to be a
small scouting party belonging to Gen.
kuroki's army.
The authorities are looking with consid-
cradle philosophy on the division by Gen.
kuroki OF his army into three separate
con mards. for they expect Gen. Kuropat-
kin promptly to take advantage of the nu-
merical infcriority Of the enemy.
Conditions at Port Arthur
The facr that it considered necessary
TO send a train load of ammunition to Port
Arthur has aroused comment. and it is ac-
cepted In certain quarters as an indication
that the Russians have not sufficient sup
plies of material there.
The Associated Press has received the fol-
general staff
There are ample supplies of munitions
of war at Port Arthur, but naturally Gen.
Kuropatkin desired to send much as
possible to the fortress. During the ex-
pected siege great quantities of shells and
explosives Will be fired. and we cannot af-
ford to permit the reproach of the defend
ers that they could not hold Port Arthur
because OF a lack OF powder and she'll.
Bu&I assure you there are enough supplies
there for one year.
With such a large force of the enemy
before Port Arthur. 1t is well understood
here that IL is question of days. per-
haps hours. before communication is again
cut off. 1t is predicted that there will be
daring attempt at a repetition of Lieut..
Col. Spirdonoff's plan to get ammunition
into Port Arthur.
One fact mentioned In the official dis
patches on which the authorities lay stress
Is the action of the Chinese in saving a
japanese detachment from a Cossa,k ann
buscade. Such incidents as these can only
lead IL is stated. To Gen. Kuropatkin's TAX
ing determined measures. He cannos have
the enemy within as well as outside the
lines.