Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-04-25
ARMIESFACE TO FACE
Forces of GEAR and Mikado
Forming For Great Struggle.
FORTIFIED ISLANDS WILL HELP JAPS
Russian Military Experts Say Japa-
nese VIII Try to Establish june
tion of the Army of Korea
and That at Nevvchwang.

ed from Seoul state that the Japanese
lines now extend thirty miles along
the Yalu river, reaching from Yon-
gampho to ten miles above Wiju. The
Russians are strongest at Antung. III
ger hill is, as 1t was in the China-Jap.
anese war, the key to the situation.
Three islands, one above and two
below Win, will facilitate an attack,
as they offer base for artillery to
cover the crossing OF the Yalu.
It is reported that the Japanese are
landing troops and constructing build
ings at Hungchuan, below Yongampho.
A NewchWang report says the Rus
SLAMS are preparing to resist Japa-
nese advance by the further construc-
ton of intrenchments and other forth
fications on the Manchurian side of the
river, especially opposite the points
where the Japanese have concentrated
their forces within the last few days,
and all reports OF decisive engage
ment on the Yalu are premature.
ST. Petersburg advices say apparent
" reliable information in the posses
sion of the general staff leads to the
belief that the objective of the Japa-
nese campaign does not involve the
ambitious invasion of the interior OF
Manchuria with the purpose of reach
ing and overwhelming the main Rus
sian army. If the Japanese ever en-
tertained the hope of accomplishing
task similar to that which Napoleon
set himself, present advices indicate
that they have abandoned it and have
less hazardous programme.
If this information is correct, there
will be no advance upon the army con-
centrated at Idaoyang and Mukden,
with its attendant constantly lengthen-
ing and weakening of the Japanese line
of communications. Instead there
seems to be determination to stick as
close as possible to the sea, where lies
Japan's natural base of communities
tons, she having established herself in
Korea.
The general staff's reports says that
the Japanese still have three other OBJ
jectives--the occupation of line across
the Liaotung peninsula, for the purpose
OF cutting Off Port Arthur; the isola-
ton of Vladivostok and the establish
ment of junction between the army
OF Korea and the force at the head of
the Liaotung peninsula. The last men
toned movement might be accomplish
ed by a landing near the mouth of the
Tayang river, which, by threatening
the flank of the Russian position at
Fenghuancheng, might render it un-
tenahle and make the advance of a col
umn from Korea comparatively easy.
Ii these plans should succeed, the life
of both Russian squadrons in the Pa
cific would be lmenaced, and, with the
sea and fleet back of her at every
point, Japan could fortify the positions
thus gained and, with the tables turn
ed, compel General Kuropatkin to come
forward and attack
General Kuropatkin, however, is in
possession of the latest adyices receiv-
ed by the general staff, and it is safe
to assume that If the Japanese cam
paign develops along the lines indicat-
ed he will be ready to make such dis
position OF his forces as will meet and
checkmate It,
A Port Arthur dispatch says the Chi
cago Daily News dispatch boat, which
approached here during the night, was
boarded by Russian officers. The cor
respondent was arrested, but was lib
Grated on condition that he avoid the
Kwangtung peninsula in future.
A st. Petersburg report says that
following up the general plan to
harass and impede the Japanese cross
ing the Yalu the Russian outposts on
the river sent a detachment of volun-
teers in boats for the purpose of set
ting fire to the Japanese pontoons and
other bridge material The boats
grounded on a sand bank near the Ko-
rean side and drew the fire OF the
Japanese outposts. There was a sharp
fulsillade at close range. The position
OF the boats was highly critical owing
to the appearance of a number of light
barges filed with Japanese coming out
from a small tributary stream called
the Pomakua, which is unmarked even
on the maps of the Russian general
staff. The intention of the barges was
to cut Off the retreat of the Russians.
This was noticed from tho other bank,
two miles distant, and couple of field
guns opened fire. A lucky shot sank
one of the barges, and the others with
drew.