New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-26
Pr SST4'S MOVE.

RT-SSIA'S MOVE.
Russia makes her move in turn in the game
of war. That she declines to withdraw at this
time on any terms is not in the least surprising.
1t is not 10 be supposed that any direct attempt
has been made to induce her to withdraw. The
King of England. who has already done much
for the peace of the world and friendship among
nations and the venerable King of Denmark,
whose influence has always been for peace are
respectively the uncle and the grandfather OF
the Gar and their counsels to him would natu-
rally he of great weight They would no doubt
greatly like to see the stopped at once,
and it is not to be supposed they have attempt
ell To conceal that desire. That they have di-
rectIy urged it uDon their imperial kinsman Is
scarcely TO be supposed. IL they nave reminded
him of their desire. and of their readiness 10
give their friendly offices for its realization,
they have played the part of good neighbors
aud enlightened statesmen. If in return Mich
olas III has expressed his determinations TO hght
the war out. without mediation, he has done
what il is his clear right to do, and has closed
the door against further suggestions from
abroad The world may regret that the
founder of the peace tribunal ut The Hague
should thus be constrained TO refuse the Of
fees OF his own creation, but it must recog-
nze his right without offence, TO do so.
simultaneously with the assurance that Rus
Sia means 10 prosecute the war comes news OF
two actual movements by her in pursuance
of that resolve Concerning one of these the
reports vary. Some have it that the power
full cruisers have emerged from VladivOs-
tok Har5or and gone down the eastern coast
Of Corea in a storm Of fire and blood, destroy
ing japanese ships and bombardlnS the city or
Won-San. Others, especially SIN official Jap
anese dispatch. have il that couple OF Rus-
sian torpedo boats dashed into the harbor of
Won-San sank small Japanese coastlng or
river steamer. and FASTENED away. The latter
version seems the more probable We can
scarcely suppose the Russian cruisers would
begin an indiscriminate bombardment Of Won
San seeing that it is not a japanese, but
COrean, city, which the Japanese have used as
a base of landing but have not fortified. Never
theess, the appearance there of torpedo boats
would probably mean that the four big cruisers
had left port. and were abroad seeking whom
they might destroy. The masslng of the bulk
of the japanese navy at the other side OF the
peninsula has given the Russian cruisers
which are superb vessels. swift and of enor-
nous steaming endurance-a chance to come
out again and scour the Sea OF Japan, in hope
OF intercepting some trOopships. We shall now
probably hear of the return Of part of the Jap
anese fleet to the east coast.
Neither patient waiting painstaking
scrutiny has yet been rewarded with any
confirmation OF the stories with which last
week ended of a tremendous battle on the
Yalu with ut least seven thousand japanese
killed and wounded. The best that later in
formation could vouchsafe was that small
party Of japanese had embarked on the stream.
and had been fred upon with the result that
one barge, skin scOw, whatever il was, was
sunk but how many japanese got their clothes
wet in swimming ashore is not yet revealed to Il
FACILITATING world But this morning we have
confident report of strategic movement OF
Cossack cavalry across the river, To be Joined
10y another force OF Russian cavalry which
crossed the 1umen some time ago. Their CO.
operation is expected seriously 10 restrict the
freedom OF movement OF the Japanese forces.
These cavalry detachments, II not able 10 give
battle 10 the Japanese, can at least compel
them TO hold back considerable portion Of
their army to defend their line between Wi-Ju
and Ping-Yang, and thus by so much weaken
their fighting force ut the front. II the news
OF this maneuvre be confirmed, II viii show
that General Kuropatkin. who is equally dar-
ing I'm battle and shrewd in strategy, has
beaten the japanese at their own game; for
they have for weeks been trying 10 force the
Russian position on the Yalu by landing force
OH the coast west OF that river. In that they
have not vet succeeded but while they have
been vainy trying it their enemy has hankeG
them over land. 1t is masterful move that
the Russian general is reported 10 have made
and it may materially modify the progress OF
the ca mpaign.