Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-02
THE EASTERN WAR
EXPERT CONSIDERATION OF THE
RussIAN-JAPANEsE CONFLICT. s
By FRANKLIN x. YOUNG.

Much interest today attaches to an un-
confirmed and perhaps premature report
that the Japanese general staff has sailed
from Japan for Korea.
This action. if true. seems to indicate the
abandonment by the mikado of all idea of
effecting IN the near future the landing
of his army on the Liao-Tung peninsula.
That this project was abandoned seems
to be due to the discovery just prior to the
breaking out of hostilities OF the presence
of a Russian force in Manchuria much
larger than the Japanese ministry had
counted on. In consequence the combined
attack of the Japanese army and navy
against the Liao-Tung peninsula was
abandoned. In place of this proceeding was
substituted the quick attack operated by
Admiral Togo against the Russian fleet
before the declaration of war. 1t further
more appears that these attacks of Ad-
miral Togo have not borne the fruit ex-
pected>
Day after day of inaction by tie Japa-
nese army ensued. for the reason that it
was not clear to the japanese government
as to what direction their combined arms
best could be employed.
That this delay has been vastly beneficial
tc the Russian cause is indisputable The
/ sailing of the Japanese general staff fer
Korea, of course locates the headquarters
of their army Although this headquarters
is located at Chemulpo, 1t does not follow
that there will be any cessation of the Japa-
reese attempt to possess themselves of Port
Arthur. On the contrary there seems rea-
son to believe that this important Russian
point is liable to remain under fire indefi-
nitely. Unless the Japanese can invest 1T on
the land side and from the north in due and
regular form it does not appear likely that
the place will be taken. Russia's armies in
large force occupy the Liao-Tung peninsula
In, nrf nf
dispersed all over the northern part or
Korea.
All over the country the outposts of the
opposing armies seem to be in contact.
Numerous minor. encounters undoubtedly
take place daily, some of these resulting
favorably to the Russian and some TO the
Japanese. The fact of Importance is that
the Japanese have concentrated their army
in Korea. The indications do not point at
this moment to any disposition on the part
of the Japanese generals to precipltate
conflict In fact. there is reason to believe
thar their intention is to await the soutner-
ly advance by the Russian army.
To a certain extent this action by the Jap
anese generals is wise, and in country 81
this description the only true way Tor tne
inferior force to defend itself is to take
un position as much advanced as is con-
s;stent with safety and to strongly en-
| trench itself and support these entrench-
nents with numerous artillery.
When dislodged from this position, either
by superior skill or by superior force, 1t
should fall back to another similar posl-
tor which previously has been prepared n
its rear. 1t should continue this pollcy re-
living upon the wearing away OF the oppoS-
ing force which constantly acting on the
offensive necessarily must suffer losses 1aI
in excess of those of the defenders:
In this kind OF warfare the assallant on
the day of a battle has much the 'disad-
vantage.
If the Japanese attempt forward move
ment at this time it is clear that they must
take great risks. Obviously they Will prac-
tically stake the hazard of the Whole cam
naign on a single throw of the die. If their
attack is repulsed and they are unable aIter
driving the Russian light troops 10 us
lodge the main Russian army from us pos.
behind the Yalu. their Station VIII verge
nnon the desperate. For it Is easy TO see
that this Japanese army in Korea is sur
rounded on three sides by water II IL 1aiis
to break the Russian line on It's front II
is absolutely surrounded. In such con-
dition the Japanese would have but single
recourse left, and that would be to embark
their army as quickly as possible ana WITH
draw it from Korea.
But this is much more easy sald tnali
done for it is not to- be doubted but that
the Russian army would advance with all
possible speed and in full. numbers on the
very heels of the retreating Japanese
Military men we'll know that such thlng
as an orderly retreat is impossible to de-
feated army if the commander OF the hght
cavalry knows his business. In conSe-
auence of the necessary disorder 1t would
be Impossible for anything like a proper
embarkation of the Japan army to be ef-
fected Therefore all that would remain
TO the Japan army would be to seek refuge
in the fortihca tons which they very likely
have built to cover their landing places
and it is easy to see that the destruction
and capture of a large part of their FORCES
necessarily would ensue. OF course, II the
Japanese initiate a grand military opera
ton on the offensive, drive In the Russian
light troops and force the passage OF the
Vain and overthrow the main Russian
army. everything will be very rosy for them
for some time TO come.