Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-04-20
MANEuvERlne FOR POSITION.
Virtually No Land Fighting Has Yet
Taken Place in the Far East.


Maneuvering for position seems to be
the only term which will fit the idIrI
movements in the war between Russia
and Japan in the far East. Virtually
no fighting on land has taken place up
to the present writing. 1t seems to be
established however, that Russia has
been driven out Of Korea. The Jap
anese now hold possession of the entire
country. Press dispatches from several
different sources confirm the news of
Russia's rout. These dispatches say
that the Russians have retreated across
the Yalu river, which separates Korea
from Manchuria, and that such a state
of panic exists that the Cars soldiers
have abandoned positions which might
have been defensible.
In less than eight weeks the Japanese
army has landed at Chemulpo, marched
west thirty-ive mics to Seoul. the cap
ital of Korea. established a military base
there, swung to the left, marched 40
miles to Pingyang fortified that place
strongly, created base there. extended
strongholds from Pingyang across the
Korean peninsula to Gensan, pressed
northward to Chongiu, driving the Rus
slams out of it, continued the march to
" 3IIs anu OCtuIlieA tlGL AUhn Ntlubul a
struggle.
During the 300 mile march from Seoul
to Wiju there were no battles and few
skirmishes. The Russians were not in
force below the 70 and made no seri-
Gus effort to hinder the japanese adj
vance Nevertheless the japanese have
already proved themselves +" be great
soldiers. They have shown that they
~
ton, that they understand far more per
fectly than do the Americans how to CO.
ordinate the movements of the navy and
the army
The march from Seoul to Win must
| have been bitterly aard one. The roads
were frozen and deep in snow at the
or waist deep in They are at the
! best of seasons dnS IA the best of con-
ditions narrow, uneven, and of insecure
| footing.
Over 300 miles of such footing the
Japanese army has trudged at an aver
age rate of six miles day. Six miles
a day is not much for forced march
of picked troops. but it is a good, solid
eight-week average for an army carry
ing its provisions and artillery with it.
Especially is this true when the six
miles is reeled off over Korean roads at
The time when winter yields to spring.
Ii was chiefly over Korea that the war
was caused. The Russians wanted at
least half of the country. Japan would
not consent to the alvance of Russia
to the very doors. almost, of the Mikado
Japan knew fun well that aggressive
Russia would not long be content with
/ /
| keep out of Korea" was the edict OF
| Japan
.;span is now in a position to invade
Manchuria itself. When Japan does
| this, European statesmen predict car
mage OF battle. compared to which the
| past events of the war will be of little
consequence.
Ii the Russians draw up their forces
| in Manchuria they are not confronted
! with the danger of being taken in the
! rear by the feet Manchuria is not. like
| Korea, a peninsula. The deet can get
behind no army in Manehuria. 1t was,
| therefore, probably their loss of the sea
| which caused the Russians not TO fight
| for Korea in Korea.
The japanese occupy Korea. But that
| does not signify that the japanese will
/ commune III poSStSSiph u II atlef lhe
| treaty Of peace is signed. If the Rus
| SLAMS can shatter the Mikado's forces in
| Manchuria they may be able to compel
/ his men to retrace the steps of their
/ wonderful march. But one thing is sure
| that the Japanese retreat through
| Korcs would be a far bloodier affair for
| both sides than was the japanese adj
| vance.
1t is not to be believed that Russia
| has reached the limit OF its fighting pow
| ers. The campaign of the winter has
| been fought under the greatest Difficult
| ties. The Russian soldiers were trans
| ported thousands Of miles. All the great
| machinery OF war had to be set in my
| ton. under vast difficulties. As the sum
4 mer advances, and Russia is able to for
/ tify and reinforce its army in Man
ehuria. terrible conflict may be ex-
/ pected.