Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-18
CoNQUEsTs ON LAND
SCHEMES PROPOSED BY JAPAN
FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Hardin the Ultimate Aim-The Diff
culties in Reaching That City
Pointed Out.

Now that the Japanese" said The Stars
war expert today, have added to the dis
parity between the two fleets, we begin to
see many schemes proposed by which they
may continue their career of conquest on
land. The London Times man talks of a
trip to Hardin as if it were a clam bake or
a garden party but suggests that the Japs
might encounter Napoleon's fate in his
Russian campaign after they get there An
English military friend, while not prepared
to deny that Hardin is the ultimate aim of
the Japs, thinks that it will not be entirely
a walk over. And so it goes with the en-
thusiastic friends of the gallant Nippons.
By all the itching desire is shown, but the
logic and the facts are not displayed
The Moscow Of the East.
Hardin is the Moscow of the east. Let
the Japs plant their flags in Hardin and
they need not fear the fate of Napoleon in
1872, for there would be several lines of
railroad to the rear and an abundant coun-
try near at hand. With Hardin would dis
appear the Russian empire In Siberia
But Hardin is some 400 miles in the in
terror. How could the hostile force get to
that goal how procure the men to carry
on such campaign? In our day to con-
duct an offensive campaign against stead
fast foe requires an immense superiority of
Waterloo and Lee at Gettysburg. Both
were ruined in the attack on an equal
army which had nothing to do but defend
itself In the days before Smokeless DOW
der, breech-lOaders and metallic cartridges
the power of the defense was nothing like
what It is at this time. Now more than
ever doth the god of battles side with the
heavier battalions. The power of the de-
tense Is from two to four times greater
than that of the offense. With equal or in
ferior forces the Japs will be accomplishing
brilliant results II they can establish a
foothold anywhere south of Haichen and
ffnkow. They might then induce the Rus
slams to attack
May Lose Through Chinese.
but Russia may still lose Hardin, by a
blow in the back, through China.
ut Is hard to understand why so little
mention has been made of the strip of Man
churian coast between Kin-chow and Shan
hai-Kwan, on the side of the Liao-tung
gulf, opposite from Port Arthur. This mar
row strip is the only practicable line of
communication between China and Man
churia. If it is closed by the Japs it seems
plain that Russian influence will get a Sc
rious setback in China at time when it is
very important to have such influence.
Shan-haf-Kwan was deemed of sufficient
in portance to have a considerable Russian
garrison before the war began, and was
guarded by eight forts armed with Krupp
guns 1t is probable that Geen. EUROPA tkin
is alive to the Importance of this place,
that he has added to it's garrison, and that
arrangements have been made there to
stand a siege. In the hands of the Japs 1t
might serve as base for army, and it
might be the center of political activities of
vast importance.
ut need not be supposed that either COM
Blatant has engaged the undying affection
of the Chinese. They know well enough
that Japanese plans for the regeneration
of their country contemplate no command
Ing influence for the Chinese. They are
just fearful of the Russians, perhaps.
Korea Drops to Japan.
Korea has been tossed between China,
Japan and Russia for years, and now drops
comfortably into the lap of Japan, not be-
cause Korea has forgotten her hereditary
enemy, but because of the army at her
doors
China, like Korea, is waiting helplessly
to see into whose hands she will fall as the
spoils Of war. Ultimately the pie will be
this war China will tumble into the arms
of the side which comes closest and makes
the biggest bluff. At such a time strong
Japanese force, practically at the gates Of
Picking, with a good line of operations
open in front and a safe base would have
immense influence in making insecure the
long line of Russian communications.
From here. too, is the safest line OF ad-
vance on Yinkow and New Chwang.
THE talk about Port Arthur is beginning
to get a little wild. There are weak points
about the Regents Sword and Port Ar
thur, but they will not change hands by a
coup de MAIN