The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1904-03-07

charge of affairs at Seoul There was
when their advance guard arrived a
legation guard Of SO Russians in ad-
dition to the Russian representative
and those attached to the consulate.
On February 70 all of these Russians
were permitte dto depart, the Japanese
giving them a guard of honor as they
left.
1T is practically impossible to as
certain the number of men that Japan
has in Korea. From statements by
the Koreans, Japan began landing
troops in Korea as early as February
? or g. The Koreans brought in the
news that the Japanese troops were
being landed in the southern part of
the country. A fact that is significant
in this connection is that about this
time the Geographic communication
with that section of Korea was inter
rupted. The japanese military are
believed to have taken control of the
telegraph system so as to prevent any
information of their movements in that
vicinity being known. They had not
when I left Seoul advanced to the
capital from that direction although it
is evident that there must have been
some extensive supports in the country
near Seoul or else a guard of only
$500 men would hardly have been rush
ed to Korea on February s.
There are plenty of roads from the
southern part of Korea to Seoul and
the distance is about 800 miles. The
coast is such that landings could easily
be effected by the Japanese. So far
as the movements of troops is con-
cerned the only difficulty would be
from heavy SHOWS. There are some
high passes but some so steep that
artillery could not be taken over them.
The japanese will have no serious diff
Guilty l believe in advancing from the
southern part Of Korea.
I'm the northern part toward the
Yalu river there are plenty of roads
but the heavy SHOWS will interfere with
the rapid progress of the troops. There
are no bridges and in the spring time
when the freshets occur Transportation
will be difficult but at the present time
all of the streams can be crossed on
the ice. Heavy snow storms had been
prevailing before I left Korea Land
ings from the sea could also be ac-
complished along the two northern
coasts Of Korea, but those landings are
not so numerous. Protection would
of course have to be given landing
| parties provided the Russians were re-
sisting the landing of forces.
so far as 1 could learn there are no
Russians in Korea now. All of them
have withdrawn it is understood. a.
cross the Yalu river. There are how
n
parties sent across the Yalu into Ko-
rea for the purpose of getting in touch
with the movement of the Japanese
troops. 1t is not thought that the Jap
anese will be apt to stop when they
reach the Yalu river. They will prob
ablyq keep right on and invade Man
cuhria and try to take Port Arthur. l
te'eve that it IS safe to say that the
japanese have close onto 100000 troops
in Korea and possibly many more.
Korea is perfectly safe for foreigners
! The japanese military authorities have
taken charge of affairs, such as the
telegraph and they DO rot permit much
news or any information about the
movements of their troops to be sent
out. l have since understood that con-
siderable damage Was inflicted on the
japanese vessels attacking Port Ar
thur, Some of the ships were under
the guns of the Notifications aud some
damage was done them. So far as the
behavior of the soldiers is concerned
you would hardly thjnl, that there was
any war in progress. The soldiers of
the Japanese are very orderly. The
coolie carries that accompanied the
amy are well behaved. 1t was feared
that they might be otherwise, but they
appear to be under excellent control
and discipline"