The Savannah morning news., 1904-02-29
FOR FIGHTING ON LAND
RUSSIANS ARE LOOKING.
1t Is Expected That Hostile Forces
VIII Soon CIash.

~ - OECCS
Will Soon Clash.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 2S-The official
announcement by Major General Plug,
chief of staff to Viceroy Alexieff, that
Russian cavalry had crossed the Yalu
| river, is expected to be followed short
" by news of rather heavy land fight
ing, as, according to seemingly trust
worthy reports Gen. Linevitch has sent
whole army corps of infantry to sup
port the Cossacks, who have penetrated
to point below ANU and who are re-
ported to have beaten the Japanese in
several skirmishes.
Nevertheless, if this movement in
force is progressing, it must not be as
sumed that the Russians have taken the
offensive, but rather that they are TAX
ing up a strong position in Northern
Korea in order to check the advance
of the formidable army of Japanese
landing on both shores of Korea, while
the concentration of Russian troops be-
hind the Yalu is being completed. This
concentration ssTaakinB better progress
than is generally believed abroad.
The movement of troops eastward
over the Siberian Railroad will be
greatly accelerated henceforth, as tele-
graphic reports say that the ice rail-
road over Lake Baikal was completed
to-day. Up to this time the tracks have
been used as far as laid, the soldiers
marching from the terminus of the line
to the other shore.
Maj. Gen. Plugs report that Gen.
Mas army is west of the Lao river
agrees with the statement of the spe-
cial correspondent of the Russ at Tien
Tsin that the Chinese War Minister
is hurrying large bodies of troops to
the northeastern frontier of Pc Chi Lii.
This report says the troops are not
going by rail, but are marching by
night.
The military situation will be great
ly complicated if Gen. Mas army is
really moving to the rear of the Rus
sian position with the intention of
making common cause with the Japa-
nese, as it will expose both Russian
TANKS to attack.
The blockade of Port Arthur contin-
ues. The Russians seem to be re-
signed for the present not to expect to
accomplish much by sea, realizing that
their fleet at Port Arthur is over
matched in both ships and guns, but
they hint that things may be differ
ent in the spring, if the Baltic fleet
goes out and effects juncture with
that of Port Arthur.
serious COllSluGIdtlOil dloO 10 DSAAAs
given to the feasibility of spending
about $1,000 600 on torpedo boat de-
stroyers, to be sent in sections to Vlad-
ivostok and Port Arthur. Three hum
dred mechanics and dock yard artifi-
GERS were sent to the Far East last
week, and experts declare that the tor
pedo boats could be built, sent and Mt
ted out there in eight months, After
all, however, the hopes and hearts OF
the Russians are centered IN their
army. and, with Gen. Kuropatkln at
its head. although he has not faced a
foe since the siege of Plevna, victory
is considered assured.
The war excitement here ana
throughout Russia generally seems 10
be dying down. The patriouc de-
monstrations, which everywhere fol-
lowed the outbreak of hostilities have
been succeeded by calmness on the
part OF the people, but the crowds still
eagerly gather about the bulletins from
Viceroy Alexieff, which are posted in
various parts Of the city, and which
are issued soon after they are re-
ceived. The frankness with which the
government publicly announced the
initial reyer SEES, as we'll as the string
emf measures taken to prevent the dis
semination of false reports of sue
cesses. is perhaps the best evidence
of the complete confidence which the
authorities have in the loyalty of the
people. s -,
the dav the news was received of the
sinking of the four steamers with
! which the Japanese sought to block
fine entrance to the harbor of Port Ar
thur. The original report was to the
erect that four battleships. and two
transports had been sunk, and TINS
created SO much enthusiasm that a
session of the Council of Empire inn
mediately ordered TIE Deum. A
member of the council just from the
winter palace burst into the session
and said: Gentlemen. countermand
tbe order. Only four old steamers
were sunk. The Emperor does not
wish a Thanksgiving service to De