Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-05
IN THREE ARMIES.
The laps Will Place 100000
Troops in the Field.
vicsroy AIaxieff Finds Things Right
at Port Arthur.
Spring Thaw Now Renders Military
Operations Impossible.

Shanghai, April A letter received
here from Kobe, Japan says the Japa-
nese government has 100000 troops in
notion and fully $4,000 more under
arms in Sarrisons and at the depOtS.
These troops are exclusive of the third
reserves, numbering 10000, which have
not been called to the colors.
The exact number of troops which
have left japan for the various desti-
nations, IS rot known, but the entire
army has been landed and has estab-
! lished Itself III northwestern Korea with
its main base at Chinampo.
The Japanese general staff still care
fully guards the plan of campaign. but
it is generally believed that it will OPP
crate three armies, each nominaly
numbering 100000 men, the second
army landing west of the Yalu river
and the third army east of New
Chwang. The landings of the latter
two armies Will be easily accomplished,
, for teh light cruiser squadrons can
protect both movements. 1t is thought
that the landing of heavy Japanese
force west of the mouth of the Yalu
will force the Russians to abandon the
Notifications which they have been
erecting north of the Yalu for the pur-
pose of opposing the crossing of the
first army of Japan from Corea.
1t is also anticipated that three great
Japanese forces will operate in con-
junction, the third army swinging east
ward from New Chwang. seiZing or
/ cutting the railroad and then engaging
in i turning movement against the
maine Russian position.
The japanese are confident that the
Russians will be unable to transport
supplies sufficient to maintain in Man
churia i force larger than 100000 men.
| The heavy detaChments necessary to
guard the railroad and supply bases
will, it is claimed. reduce the Russian
fighting force to about zoo, 900 men.
The japanese are requesting thou
sands of horses and it is probable that
q considerable detachment of cavalry
will accompany each army. Though
the horses of the Japanese cavalry
seem inferior to those of the Russians.
the japanese officers say they will sat
isfactOrily accomplish the work planned
for them.
Much Japanese artillery is departing
for the front. The guns seem light, but
it is believed that the Japanese have a
number of heavy batteries equal in
lcry. Japanese also possess a large
number Of excellent mountain batteries
which in a rough country will have a
distinct advantage over the Russians.
1t seems certain that Vice Admiral
Togo's failure to effectually dispose of
the Russian fleet at Port rthur has de-
layed the Japanese land operations.
A general thaw is now proceeding in
Corea and Manchuria, rendering the
country roads impossible and making
it impossible to conduct general mill
tary operations until the ground hard
ems.
st. Petersburg. April 4.-As the time ap-
rroachcs for the opening of land opera
tons on large scale. the Russian au-
thoritics are exercising greater vigilance
to prevent the news of their plans for
the movement to and the disposition of
troops in the theatre Of war from going
abroad where they might be Of service to
the enemy. For 10 days not n scrap OF
real Information. except such AZ is con-
tanned in official dispatches, has been
given out or has come from the front.
There practically exists an embargo upon
news dispatches. those coming through
being colorlcss and devoid of Importance
Secrets regarding what is actually hap
pcning are being well kept 1t is as il
an impenetrabc curtain had suddenly
been rung down on the stage of war in
the Far East. Behind this curtain the
greatest activity prevails. General Kuro-
patkin ut his temporary headquarters in
Lao Yang is directing the execution of
his plans, moving his troops. strength
ening the positions selected. oilng the
wheels of the commissariat and quarter
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