The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-06
RUSSIA IS BRACING
FOR TUG OF WAR

ST. PETERSBURG, May $50 a. m.-
With Vice Admiral Togo lowering in the
immediate vicinity of Port Arthur ana
transports loaded with troops lying at Pit
sewo, northwest of that stronghold, Russia
has braced herself for impending conflicts
with the foe in which she will again play
a defensive role. this time. ii is hoped,
with better success, and, therefore, with
less sacrifice of life, than in the engage
ments on the Yalu. -
The war commission sat until O'Clock
this morning, and at the close of the ses-
sion it was announced that there was moth
ing to communicate to the public. 1t is
known, however, that the Emperor has
been informed of the presence of japanese
fleet off the Liao-Shan promontory, and the
appearance of transports at Pitsewo.
The fact that the two events occurred
simultaneously may have significance. If
a landing should take place at Pitsewo, it
is anticipated that Togo's battleship squad
ron will lombard Port Arthur in order
to prevent the garrison from sending rein
forcements by railroad to the troops op-
posing the japanese there. Neither the Ad-
miralty nor the War Office believes that a
Decentralization of the japanese can be pre-
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
up to resist the invaders cannot be stated
definitely, the strength of the army on the
peninsula of Liao-Tung having been kept
a strict secret. 1t is expected that the
railway will play an important part in the
effort of the Russians to push the japanese
into the sea. it will permit the rapid
transportation of troops.
The general staff has not forgotten that
japanese ships were sighted May off
Kaiping and Siniuchen, on the west coast OF
the LiaoTung peninsula, but these two
points could be readily covered If necessary
from Nieu- Chwang.
An important advantage would accrue to
the Japanese should they succeed in estab b.
fishing themselves at Pitsowe. From there
radiate roads connecting with the railroad
at Yang-Ti-Tien, directly west of south.
with Sanchelipon and Kinchow stations on
the road nearer Port Arthur. north, with
Kaiping and northeast through Takushan
with Feng-Wang- ng-Cheng.
A landing at this moment would make il
difficult for General Kuropatkin tC con-
centrate formidable force against General
Kuroki, whose forward movement is not
yet reported. Furthermore, once the Jap
anese are across the railroad Port Arthur
will be as good besieged.
A member of the general staff says that
General Kuropatkin is well aware of these
considerations. Even if the Japanese should
succeed in cutting the railroad Port Arthur
is now ready to depend on it's own re-
sources.
Dispatches from Toxic telling of celebra-
tons over the sealing of Port Arthur, ii is
stated are premature, official advices es-
tablishing beyond question that the attempt
of Vice Admiral Togo May to seal the port
failed.
The absence of press dispatches telling OF
the fight on the Yalu is partially explained
by the heavy mortality among the corre-
spondents. Three of the Novostis corre-
spondents are missing. and il is believed
they were killed. while the Russ lost one
of its correspondents The other journals
are writing to ascertain if their representa-
tives are alive.