The Savannah morning news., 1904-05-18

ACTIVITY OF THE JAPANESE.
The efforts of the japanese to get
within striking distance Of the Russians
would seem to indicate that they be-
lieve the Russians are not prepared
to risk a battle at any point They
are therefore pressing them as hard as
they can with the hope of winning
decisive victories before the Russians
can get sufficient reinforcements to
the scene of the war TO justify them
in risking a great battle.
All along it has been the opinion of
many military experts in this country
that the reason the Russians did not
attempt to prevent the advance of the
Japanese was that it was their plan to
draw them far into the interior. and
then strike them blow from which
they couldn't easily recover and where
retreat would be attended with great
disaster. That was very pretty the
Dry, but it is doubtful if it had any
thing upon which to rest In view Of
the fact that the Japanese are we'll
acquainted with the country in which
they are now campaigning, and the
further facts that the country is full
of their spies and that the inha bitants
are friendly to them, it is probable that
they know exactly what the strength
of the Russian forces IN Manchuria IS
and where they are stationed They
also know what troops Russia has on
the way to the scene Of action. and al
about what time they will arrive. Their
present activity therefore is doubtless
explainable on the ground that they
are aiming TO strike effective blows be
fore the Russians can get reinforce
ments, and the Russians are endeavOr-
ing to avoid a decisive battle until
they can get reinforCements.
The japanese are doing about as they
please with the railroad leading to Port
Arthur. having at last accounts de-
stroyed fifty miles of II. 1t will not
be long before they will be in a posi-
ton to demand the surrender of that
place. There doesn't seem to be any
accurate information in the possession
of the public as 10 how long Port Ar
thur could hold out if attacked Yigor-
ously from front and rear. That it IS
we'll garrisoned there doesn't seem 10
be much doubt, but il is a question
or not it is provisioned for Il
long siege. A lack of bread may be
more effective agent in reducing the
stronghold than the artillery of the
enemy.
A thing that is beginning to cause
comment is the probable attitude of
the revolutionists Of Russia if the gov
should continue TO meet with
reverses in the Far East. 1t was said
sometime ago that the revolutionists
had agreed to abandon their efforts
to bring about changes in the govern
ment while the war lasted. That was
sent out from Russian sources, and
was intended probably to create the
impression that the Russian govern
ment had no reason to apprehend
of an internal character. But
history shows that in proportion as u
government is unfortunate in dealing
with a foreign foe the disaffected at
home become aggressive, and
there is no reason why Russia should
be an exception TO the rule. 1t wouldn't
be surprising therefore if the Russian
has reason to expect
trouble of serious character from the
revolutionary elements of the empire
A great victory. or evidence that Rus
sia would overwhelm Japan as soon
as she got her armies in the field,
would have a quoting effect upon these
elements. but it isn't reasonable to sup
pose that they have been remaining
quiet when Russia has met with lit
tie but disaster ever since the war
with Japan began. The probability is
they are active, and are seeking ways
to compel the Russian government to
grant their demands. Russia would
be in an unhappy condition if she had
to fight domestic as well as foreign
foes.