Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-04-05
alexandria Gazettr.
TUESDAY EVENING. APRIL 5. 1904.
Bombarding Port Arthur.


Port Arthur was again bombarded
April 3, but no authentic particulars
have been received concerning the at
tack.
The Russians are strongly fortifying
Niuchwang. The Liau river is extern
sively mined, and twelve stone-laden
junks are ready for sinking at the en-
trance to the river on moments notice.
The guns of the Russian gunboat
Sivoutch have been reshipped. Two
thousand Chinese refugees are leaving.
There are no signs of either the Rus
sian or japanese fleet.
A letter received at Shanghai from
Kobe, Japan, says the japanese govern
ment has 260, 900 troops in motion and
fully 60, 900 more under arms, in gar
risons and at the depots. These num-
bers are exclusive of the Third reserves,
numbering 10000, which have not
been called to the colors. The exact
numbers of troops which have left japan
for their various destinations are not
known, but the entire first army has
been landed and has established itself
in northwestern Korea, with its main
base at Chinampho.
The japanese general staff still care
fully guards the plan of campaign, but
it is generally believed that it will OPP
crate three armies, each nominally num-
boring 100, 900 men, the second army
landing west of the Yalu river and the
third army east of Niuchwang. The
landing Of the latter two armies will be
easily accomplished, for the light
cruiser squadrons can protect both move
ments.
1t is thought that the landing Of
heavy japanese force west of the mouth
of the Yalu will force the Russians to
abandon the Notifications which they
uave been erecting north of the Yalu for
the purpose of opposing the crossing of
the first army of Japan from Korea.
1t is also anticipated that the three
japanese forces will operate in conjunc.
ton, the third army swinging eastward
from Niuchwang, selling or cutting the
railroad and then engaging in a turning
movement against the main Russian Po-
sition.
The japanese are confident that the
Russians will be unable to transport sup
plies sufficient to maintain in Manchurla
a force larger than 800, 600 men. The
heavy detachments necessary to guard
the railroad and supply bases will, 1t is
claimed, reduce the. Russian lighting
force to about 200, 900 men.
The japanese are rcquisitioning thou
sands of horses and it is probable that
considerable detachment of cavalry will
accompany each army. Though the
horses of the japanese cavalry seem in
ferior to those of the Russians the Jap
anese officers say they will satisfactorily
accomplish the work planned for
them.
Much japanese artillery is departing
for the front. The guns seem light, but
it is believed that the japanese have a
number of heavy batteries equal in range
to the best European field artillery,
Japan also possesses large number OF
excellent mountain batteries which in a
rough country will have distinct adj
vantage over the Russians.
1t seems certain that Vice Admiral
Togo's failure to efectually dispose OF
the Russian feet at Port Arthur has de-
lsyed the japanese land operations.
A general thaw is now proceeding in
Korea and Manchuria. rendering the
country roads impossible and making it
impossible to conduct general military
operations until the ground hardens.