Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-02-17
JAPS WILL SEIZE COREA,
Immense Army Thoroughly Ocou-
plying Strategic Points.
CUT OFF PORT ARTHUR.
Will Hsrass Russians and Keep Fleet
Bottled Up Until Sufficient Troops
Are Landed

u,
mon has reached here that nearly 10000
japanese troops were landed at Chemul
po yesterday, the first division of large
number which will be thrown into Corea
rapidly as possible in the effort to
thoroughly occupy the strategic points in
the Hermit kingdom while the Russian
fleet is bottled up in Port Arthur.
Keep Russians Back.
By one conyersant with the japanese
plans it is stated that the repeated at
tacks on Port Arthur are not for the pur-
pose of Selling the place at present, I'M
less an unexpected weakness in the forti-
hcations there should develop. They are
part Of a well-defined plan for the haras-
sing Of the Russian fleet until Corea can
be occupied. The bottling up of the
heet there. enables the landing of troops
IN Corea without the convoy of a large
number Of warships. The reports of dis
order IN various parts of Corea fastened
the operations of the Japanese that they
might obtain possession before anarchy
became prevalent and foreign interests
Menaced III consequence.
Second Number on Programme
The taking of Port Arthur will form
the second number Of the war pro-
gramme. First, however, it is learned
mat the japanese propose to cut the line
OF communication we'll up on the railroad
running up from Niuchwang to Port Ar
thur 1t is expected d large Japanese
force will land at Niuchwang shortly for
this purpose.
The naval department denies positive
~ that any American naval officers were
aboard the japanese ships in the fighting
at Fort Arthur. 1t is said that our gov
ernment requested permission OF both
Russia and Japan to place an American
naval officer with each of the fleets, not
rs q combatant, but purely in the ca
paclty Of al observer. While neither
power refused the request outright. still
they did not accede
Ihe war department is having equally
Dad luck IN trying to place American mill
Safy observers with the land forces of
Russia and Japan Eight officers were
selected for this duty and requests were
made that they be permitted to accom-
pany the forces in the field, but favor
able response has not yet Deen received
ana 1t IS feared that it will not De.
America May Interfere.
Nlr. Takahira, the Japanese minister.
called upon Secretary Hay today. and it
understood that the reported detention
Arthur was under discussion There
seems to be lack Of positive information
on this subject and until the facts are
KNOWN, the state department is inclined to
60 slow in making representations to Rus
sia. It is bound to do so. however. If
nent has undertaken to represent Japan
SO far as the interests of Japanese sub !
Jects III Russia are concerned.
Iaklng notice Of the reported escape
from Fort Arthur of the American cargo
sllIn Pleldes under cover of a storm. the |
department officials are inclined to believe
fnat she may have brought away some
81 the detained japanese. It is SAID that
large license is accorded by international
law TO military commanders in such cases |
SEsEaSp mud how
:ionary power as to the ingress and egress
INTO and from towns practically besiegcd
nEe Fort Arthur Of persons who might |
carry damaging information to the foe.
81 Mobilize Immense Army.
Shanghai Feb. 15.-The mobilization
OF the Japanese army has been carried
oat methodically. 1t is estimated that
o o,sso9 Troops roo "a, are now ready to be
national defenses. The movements of
she troops are shrouded in secrecy They
are being moved at night toward their |
bases at Sasebo, Kure Mil and Yoku-
suka and the lights Of ordinary trains
IRE .extinguished when in the neighOor-
Rood of troop trains.
Members Of the reserve force immedi- |
ately step into the places of the outgoing
regulars. Their organization is perfect |
and full equipment is ready for each |
one Of the reserves. Hundreds of hotels, |
tea houses and temples have been requi- |
sitioned in Toxic and other divisional
centers. All the steamers of japanese
merchant lines are being rapidly convert
ed into auxiliary cruisers, armed with |
quick-fring guns and fitted with torpedo
tubes.
E Profit by Russian Discussions.
The government officials refuse to give
put any information regarding their mill |
fRry intentions. They expect to profit by |!
dissenslons in the Russian council Of
&c he fl,o+
~ powers conferred upon Viceroy Alexi- |
EFT Will lead to q clash between Foreign |
Minister Lamsdorff and Gen. Kuropat-
KIN, especially as the latter is unfriendly |
10 Alexieff. The result of a disagree
ment between these two Russian leaders |
hero would end in military muddle.
The Japanese are convinced that the |
Russians will be unable to concentrate
md maintain $4,000 troops at any impor-
dant point Of military operations.
Ready to Dynamite Railway.
There is much talk current in regard |
TO the possible dynamiting Of the Rus
sian railroad in Manchuria Thousands |
OF Japanese who are PRACTICAL undistin-
guishable from Chinese are working in
Manchuria, and would willingly risk
their lives to aid their country's cause
A large body of troops is due in Maya
saki ON Saturday to embark on trans
ports for Corea.
A protective boom Of mines has been
placed about the entrance Of Nagasaki
harbor. Yokohama is also guarded by
mines.
Several Russian merchant vessels which
have been captured and held as prizes
have been taken to Sasebo, where they
are we'll guarded. All passing steamers
are closely inspected by hotilla of tor
pedo boats.
Nine transports fitted with stables on
board decks were lying at Moji OH Satur-
day, February 13.
Big Army Landed in Corea.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 15.-Maj Gen.
Plug wires that according to private ad-
vices the Japanese after the battle at
Chemulpo landed 10000 troops.
Communication by wireless biography
has been established with Chemulpo and
Che Zoo by ships stationed between these
two places.
All is quiet at Port Arthur. There is
- 10 .,a,-.S aootn