New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-01
WHY JAPAN WANTS PORT ARTHUR
Would Furnish Naval Base for Continental
Invasions-What Russia Has Done There.

II Japau succeeds I'm capturing Port Arthur she
viii have secured possession OF the Russian naval
base IN the Far East. Al this season OF the year
ahe Pacific port Of Russia Nladivostok in siberia.
which lies latitude 43 degrees. IS chokod with ice
end is useless FOR all naval purposes.
II was to obviate the difficulties OF commerce at
nladvostok in the winter months that the Rus
tians secured from China in 1855 lease Of Port
Arthur and cerain adjacent TERRITORY for the pur-
pose Of establishing naval base and OF building
up a seaport near by. at Talienwan. which
sauled Dalny. Although the term n the lease is
only for twenty-five years the Russians have pro
reeded 20 f0rtify Port Arthur for the purpose OF
snalinr Il a second Gibraltar. as II IL were 70 be
Eheir permanent possession.
The desire OF the japanese for the same strategic
position expressed before the Russian occu-
Tsncy. and they had a brief possession OF IL. BY
sorce or circumstances. however. they we're com
peeled 10 give It Up
me Chinese name OF Port Arthur is Iii-shun-
aNOw. II is on tho promontory OF the Manchurian
province of Shing-Kiung. and is the terminus Of the
Russian railway from HGrbin. branch OF the
rranssberian Railway TO Vladivostok.
There was only small fishing village at tho end
uf the promontory when Ii Hung Chang. under the
war with China in lass. The japanese captured il.
and the treaty Of Shimonoseki contained pro-
southern coast OF Manch1Tis from The Lao River
40 The border OF Corea al the Ysl5 River An.
France and Germspy-veioed THE and Japan gave
saels.
II s. evident that Russia already had her eve
Epo1 this strategic point, which guards the gate
way 70 Mongolia, Manchuria and Pe-Chi-Ld. Since
securing Il work has steadily gone forward on is
Vyould be required 10 complete them The entrance
40 the harboT b. SIX hundred yards wide, and is
guarded by forts both sides On the land side
OF the town there is range Of hills and half
1uIles from The waterfront. which has been fortified
End @ rampant thrown around. The harbor has
been enlarged and decpencd and works for various
purposes constructed.
The provisions OF the lease 70 Russia include the
understandings that 1T shall prejudice China's
sovereignty over the territory" and that har-
Dor shall BE- closed 10 all men-of-War save those OF
Russia and China.
IN the defence OF the port provision does not ap-
pear 20 have been made 70 prevent the Smelling OF
the town and OF the vessels IN the harbor by at
lacking warEhips, for Baron Hayashi. the Jap
ms
fhe Russian vessels arc not likely 20 give up the
advantage they gained by being under cover Of
however. the Japanese fleet by high angle FIRE can
drop a. shells which should make * very uncom-
portable Tor the Russian ships lying mo0red close
70 one another. Thereby IL Is hoped 10 drive out
Nlcerov AleNicff's forces. Possibly. like AdmIraa
EerTera- ne may anticipate fate and come into the
60 20 show the utter uselessneas % Port Arthur
from a strategic point o. view.
with Port Arthur IN their possession the Jap
nncsc would be able 10 attack the Russian forces
along the falu River from both SIDES. the
toe and those landed az Port Arthur the other.
While the Russians could establish base Of land
operations nlonE The railroad further from the /.
q naval base ~ any value would be lacking