Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-04-06
ADVANCING ON RUSSIANS.
Three Japanese Armies Marching
Toward Yalu River.
COMING ON THREE SIDES.
Cars Forces Hold the Yalu for Seventy
FIVE Miles and Cavalry Is Con-
centrated at Wiju.
BIG BATTLE SEEMS VERY NEAR.

hold the Yalu river for Seyenty-nve miles
from it's mouth. Their cavalry is con-
centrated at Wiju.
London, April 4.-The Daily Tele-
graphs Shanghai correspondent gives an
unconfirmed report that a japanese army
Of 10000 men has landed opposite Iaku
Shan, i'll southern Manchuria, and is
marching north and northwest, that an
other army of 10000 has landed IN north
western Korea and is marching toward
the Yalu river. and that third force has
disemDarked in northeastern Korea and is
marching westward.
Great Forces on the March.
Shanghai, April f. (Evenlng. "A let
ter received here from Kobe. Japan. says
the japanese government mas 2oo,ooo
troops in motion and fully 10000 more
under arms in garrisons and at the de-
pots. These numbers are exclusive OF
the third reserves, numbering l2O,OOO,
which have not been called to the colors
The exact number of troops which nave
left Japan for their various destinations
are not known, but the entire first army
has established itself in northwestern NO
rea, with its main base at Chinampo.
The Japanese general staff still care
fully guards the plan of campaign, but
it is generally believed that it Will op-
crate three armies, each nomlnally num-
herring 100000 men, the second army
landing west of the Yalu river, and the
third army east of New Chwang. The
landings of the latter two armies Will be
easily accomplished. FOR the light cruiser
sQua drons can protect beth movements.
Drive Russians from Yalu.
It 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
have been erecting north of the Yalu
for the purpose Of opposing the cross
ing of the first army of Japan from
Korea.
1t is also anticipated that the three
great Japanese forces will operate in con-
junction with the third army swinging
eastward toward New Chwang, Selling
or cutting the railroad and then engag-
ing in turning movement against Inc
main Russian position.
The japanese are confident that the
Russians will be unable to transport sup
plies sufficient to maintain IN Manchurla
force larger than 100000 men. The
heavy detachments necessary to guard
the railroad and supply bases will. it is
claimed, reduce the Russian lighting
force to about 100000 men.
Jap Cavalry Is Strong.
The Japanese are reqnisitioning thou
sands of horses and it is probable that 4
considerable detachment of cavalry will
accompany each army Though the
horses of the japanese seem inferior to
The Russians, the Japanese 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
number Of heavy batteries equal in range
to the best European field artillery.
Japan also possesses a large number OF
excellent mountain batteries, which in
rough country will have distinct adj
vantage over the Russians.
It seems certain that Vice Admiral
Togos failure to effectualy dispose of
the Russian fleet at Port Arthur has de-
layed the japanese land operations.
A general tnaw is now proceeding IN
Korea and Manchuria, rendering the
country roads impossible and making II
impossible to conduct general military
operations until the ground hardens
Russians Falling Back.
Seoul. Korea, April 1.-The Russian
forces in northern Korea are falling
back toward the Yalu river. Saturday
the japanese without opposition occupied
the important town of Seng Cheng, on
the Pekin road, twenty miles west Of
Chongju, from Which the Russians were
driven last Monday.
1t had been expected that the Rus
slams would make a stand at this place,
as owing to its position forty miles south
of Wiju, on the Pekin road, it is con-
sidered of great Importance.
Russians Retire Toward Win.
But when the advance guard Of the
Japanese army approached the town
Saturday afternoon it was met by large
numbers of inhabitants Of the place,
who said that there was not a Russian
soldier there All had left the previous
day, retiring in the direction OF Win.
The Russians having failed to inter-
pose effective opposition to the advance
during the last few days, it does not
now seem probable that there will be
further opposition this side Of the Yalu.
Surrender Important Position.
Chongju, because of it's superior natural
surroundings, is the strongest place be-
tween Ping Yang and VIII. Besides
these natural advantages there is an old
Korean fort there, which, had it been
defended with spirit would have been
fed at the comparative ease with which
they drove the Russians from this fort
Russian patrols are reported to be in
the country east Of the Pekin road, but
it is not probable that there is any con.
siderable force of Russians in that sec.
Il
ually to the northward, toward the Yalu.
Ice on the Yalu Broken.
1t is reported that the ice on the Yalu
is we'll broken up and in the future the
river must be crossed either in hunks O,
over pontoon bridges.
Five japanese transports, carrying light
artillery, cavalry and infantry. have ar.
rived at Chemulpo. The men are en-
training for Seoul.
Fighting Along the Yalu.
London, April 4.-Reports of furthe,
skirmishing between the Russians anC
japanese in the Yalu river region arr
reaching London, but no reliable details
are given.
The Daily Telegraph's Seoul correspond
ent believes that the defenses of Port
Arthur have been so weakened that the
early capture of the port is to be expect
ed. There is little doubt, the correspond
ent says. that only a narrow passage is
left and that at the first favorable oppor
tunity the japanese will block the chan
mel. The Russians have taken many u
inch guns out of their ships to arm Tho
old and new defenses of Port Arthur
The CORRESPONDENTS saws ha learns tho,