New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-25
NOTES ON THE VAR.

An official dispatch from viceroy AexieH
shows that the Russlans are learning by ex-
perience. and not easily caught mapping
by their willy foe The Viceroy's account
OF the attempt OF the japanese torpedo feet 70
creep upon the Retvizan at Port Arthur and
damage or destroy her is the most interesting
item OF news from the scene Of hostiIities IN the
East that has been received for week or more
It shows that the damaged Retvizan. one OF
Russit's best warships. built in this country. is
again in fighting trim. auf that the Cars fleet
at Port Arthur is probably once more formula
bic enough to require the fun strength OF Ad-
miraI Togo's naval command 20 keep IL blocked
up in the roadstead. Some fine day # may
even pluck up courage 20 move out and treat
the world TO a spectacle Of a battle royal be-
tween those terrible monsters of the sea, mod
ern hattleships. with cruisers and torpedo boats
joining in the fray
Two dispatches report an eastward move
mcnt OF the japanese fleet one. from Che-Foo.
says thirteen japanese warships passed Wei
Hai-Wei yesterday. headed eost-toward home.
one from Wel-Hai-WeI says the same. specify
ing that there were four battleships and nine
cruisers. and adding that they are supposed
to have been Admiral Togo's fleet. from Port
Arthur The precise distribution Of the Jap
anese fleet has never been revealed. but 1t Is
believed there were in all sixteen large ships
at Port Arthur. II thirteen have gone away.
three are yet to be accounted for. either as
left behind or as lost. 10 scarcely seems prob
able that only three would be left behind 70
guard the port. unless some overwhelming VIC
tory has been gained over the Russians We
can scarcely suppose that to be the case Such
a victory would have been made known But
then. what has become Of the other three ships?
II they have been destroyed. II IS difficult TO
nccount for this reported movement OF the rest
OF the fleet Thirteen vessels are stiH rorInl-
dabIe and we can scarcely suppose they Woulo
flee from the crippled Russian fleet and aban-
don the siege Of Port Arthur. The distance
from ei-Hai-Wel TO Port Arthur IS one nun
bred miles In going straight home the nearest
way, Japanese vessels from Port Arthur would
pass within twenty-five miles OF Wei-Hai-Wel.
Rut IN simply cruising, around that part Of the
Corean Gulf they might pass at that distance
and in that direction. On the whole. the re-
ror,s seem so inexplicable that Judgment upon
them must be withheld until additional advices
received. ..- .-..- e. -
playing for position" There are rsPoi's "a
Russian scouts and patrols at Chon-Ju anu
even at An-Ju while at the same uIhe tnsIs -
denials that they have penetrated SoEea " 80
coDsfdera HE distance. IL seems 10 be true THAT
the Iapanese have occupied Plng-f ans III CO-
siderable force, perhaps sutneleht 70 Ii1 11t, -
is doubtful n the Russians are even planning
any serious advance south Of the 1alu lot SONS
time TO come
Tn sipIouatic warfare honOrs are easy. Inc
Russian circular. accusing Japan OF vioia'ihs
international law in the time. place ana manner
of BEGINNING the war VIII undoubtedly create
strong impression I'm many quarters, though t t1e
Japanese reply to it is obvious ON thS oSllo ,
hand JaDan has made brilliant stroke III Gun
Guiding and announcing treaty WIN -
guaranteeing the Independence ana ll.eslI'S -
that country. though the Russian reply 20 LA
ts easily 10 be Imagined. Such things, however,