Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-29
Situation in the East,

Chef00, req. ZJ.-Denhlle heno ie
garding the military operations OF Rus.
sia and Japan are now coming in, and
for the first time since hostilities began
it is possible to get good line on the
positions of the opposing armies. The
primary Russian base for the invasion
of Korea is at Laio- ng-Chau, on the
Manchurian road, which is connected by
the only good road in the country with
Kiuien- Cheng, where the secondary
base is fixed. 1t is expected that this
latter base will later be transferred to
Win.
Despite reports to the contrary it now
appears that there are but 1000 men at
Win, while small outposts have been
placed at Senchen, Cheng-Ju and An-Ju
in northern Korea.
The japanese are advancing toward
the north along the Hai.Ju-Hjang-Ju
road from Seoul, and toward Ping Yang,
which is at present occupied by outposts
only.
Surprising that Ping. Yang is the OBJ
jective of both forces, the japanese are
in the better position, as they will have
time to occupy the point with some
strength and possibly fortify the hills
north of the town before the Russians
arrive. A thaw is due to begin within
the next fortnight, when operations on
both sides will be greatly hampered and
possibly suspended This signifies that
a clash must come before that time I'M
less both forces desire to delay matters
so as to get into more efficient condition
for the fight. The failure of the Japan
csc to destroy or bottle up the Russians
at Port Arthur makes landing on the
Lian-Tung peninsula impracticable and
makes the Russians secure in Manchuria
for the time being, at least. 1t also eff
fectually constitutes Korea as the scene
for the opening chapters of the war.
Paris, Feb. ga message received
here from st. Petersburg reports that a
japanese squadron ready for action is of
Vladivostock. A second report states
that it appears that the japanese have
advanced as far as Gensan-Chang- on
line, which is about fifty miles south of
Ping Yang, and have beeu held there
owing to difficulties in communication.
The japanese have not been able to
land more than sixty or seventy thou
sand men, says the report, and the Rus
slams are wondering, in view of this
small number, whether the japanese
have modified their plans regarding a
land attack near Ping Yang.
Chefoo, Feb 29.-It is reported that
two japanese warships have been COM
PEELED to make for Sasebo for repairs.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 29.-The news
paper Sviet, in leading article today,
expresses the belief that China is the
secret ally of Japan.
London, Feb. 29.-Reuters Telegram
Company has received a dispatch from
st. Petersburg stating that a telegram
: has been received there from Port Arthur
reporting that General Stoessel, the gene
raj commanding at the port, has today
issued an order directing the attention of
the troops and inhabitants to the fact
that the japanese intend to land at Port
Arthur and seize the fortress. The
general declares that he will never give
the order to surrender. He calls on
everybody to fight to the death as no one
can save himself without fighting.
ST. Petersburg, Feb. 29.-An uncOn-
frmed rumor is current here this evening,
that two Russian battleships and tor
pedo boat have been sunk at Port
Arthur.
Tien Tsin, Feb. 29.-The newspaper
Courier learns that the japanese cruisers
Asama and Tokena () and the battleship
Yashima were damaged in the last en-
gagement at Port Arthur, and are being
lowed to Nagasaki, Japan, for repairs.
st. Petersburg, Feb. ga telegram
from Lao Yang, Manchuria, states that
foreigners living at Yin Kow assert the
japanese have been instructed to storm
Port Arthnr and capture it at any cost
on March 1st