New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-17
NOTES ON THE WAR.

That Is a startling report which Russians
make concerning japanese troops near Hsin-
Ming-Ting. That place IS IN the western part
OF the southern province OF Manchurta, hfty
miles west OF Moukden. and on the line Of rail-
road which runs from Tfentsn through shan
Hai-Kwan northward 10 reach the Manchurian
railroad north Of Moukden- To get thither the
japanese must have made a landing on the
coast west OF New-Ckwang, or else have crossed
the main line OF the Manchurian railroad The
latter IS scarcely suppOsabe. for IN that case the
japanese surely would have destroyed the rail-
actually there they are at the OF Port
Arthur and have put the latter place IN a dss-
perate plight
Equally startling and ominous IS the report
from New-Chwang that the Russian viceroy.
Admiral AIexiefr. with his whole headquarters
staff. has gone TO Hardin. That means. appar-
entity. the abandonment OF Port Arthur. and not
only OF that place but also OF Moukden and
Kirin and the southern half OF Manchurta-
Hardin is nearly six hundred miles north OF
Port Arthur. and is the point at which the rail-
road. across Siberia branches into two. one
running straight on 20 Vladivcstok and the
other swinging OF at right angles and running
down to Port Arthur. Such a move on Alex
iefrs part indicates abandonment OF the Man
churian railroad and a Desperate endeavor 70
defend the line TO vladivostok. that the latter
place might not be cut OF at the rear. The
railroad bridge across the sungari River, which
the Japanese are reported TO have made an
unsuccessful attempt TO destroy, Is just west
OF Hardin on the main line Of the Siberian rail-
road. Had II been destroyed both the NladtvoS-
tok and Port Arthur branches would have been
severed from connection with the main lne.
Tbss. things suggest the possibility that the
Japanese have planned q masterfui piece OF
strategy by Turing the Russian forces to the
Corean frontier along the Yalu, while they
themselves have sent powerful army by sea 10
the northern end OF the Gulf OF Leao-Tong and
have invaded Manchuria there. with the purpose
Of cutting off The Russians from supplies or re-
Inducements, and thus forcing their surrender
cutting Of the Manchurian Railroad near
Moukden would be fatal TO the Russian forces
south and east OF that point. for supplies by rail
would be cut off. there would be no hope or get
ting supplies by sea so long as the japanese fleet
controls the latter. and at this time or year u
would be impossible to Tive on the country.
such s move by the japanese would be daring
one. yet. supported by the Japanese Meet anu
made from some point between Ytng-kau and
Ning-Yuen II might well prove successful
Whether or not the japanese succeed IN
cutting the railroad. beyond Hardin or else
where. that road must be considered as a slen-
der support for a great Russian army. II was
hastily built and Is VIGOROUSLY subject TO acci-
dents and blockades. Writing from Hardin as
recently as January 13. a special correspondent
Of 'sTbe London Tines said: Minor accidents
on the railway OF almost everyday occur
renee this winter. The through passenger ex-
press due here yesterday broke rails at two sep
arate points on the Trans-Baikal section Of the
line. and the traffic further delayed twelve
hours through the breakage OF the axle OF
covered wagon IN the usual military train be-
tween here and Adna. Three wagons were de-
rallied and one was smashed. but the CASUALTIES
were slight These and similar hindrances 70
through traffic cause the express and mail trains
to run very late and 1t is not at all unusual for
a train TO be overtaken here by one which LETT