Arizona republican., 1905-02-13
PHOENIX. ARIZONA, FEB, 10. 1905
The larger strategy OF the War.

1t has been difficult to estimate the
value of raids and maneuvers in the
war zone in Manchuria because COM
paratively little is known of the posi-
lions Of the two armies. Captain P.
c. March, United States military at
tache, who was with the japanese
army from the beginning OF the war, in
a recent interview sheds new light on
the situation.
Captain March says the two armies
are in line for a distance of thirty
miles along the Shakhe. In some
places the advance posts are not more
than 200 yards apart, and at others
the distance is 1000 yards. AT one
end the Japanese line is not more than
fifteen miles from Mukden; at the 9TH
er fifty miles.
In the opinion of Captain March.
Hardin is the objective of the Japan
csc campaign. 1t is strategically the
most important point in Manchuria,
and the seat of great mills with ca
pacity to supply the whole Russian
army The japanese feel that if they
could by supreme effort capture Har-
bin, break the two railways centering
there, and come into possession of the
mills and the supplies accumulated
there, peace would be near. 1t may be
doubted, however, whether Captain
March correctly understands the Jap
anese plans. 1t seems more than prob
able that Japan will be content with
what she has gained already and
henceforth viii act on the defensive
As to the question of supplies, Cap
tain March says that the japanese are
learning that raw rice is a bad field
ration, and that in the matter of food.
the Russian soldiers are better off than
the japanese, their commissary being
we'll managed. Each company has
great cook stove on wheels in which a
big boiler of soup is always cooking.
and there is a hot bowl for each SOL
der at regular intervals.
Captain March reports that the way
in which the Russians came out of the
battle of the Shakhe, losing heavily
without Reorganization or sign OF de-
sion upon the japanese. They began
to wonder whether, after all, they
could wear out or conquer a foe that
cared so little for defeat or loss.
Captain March has a high regard for
the soldiers on both sides, and says
that both Russians and Japanese have
learned to fight at night, making rush
es to avoid the murderous artillery fire.
AS to Notifications, he does not believe
that any two armies ever did so much
digging as the armies in Manchuria
have done in the last eight months.
If Captain March is correct, the
larger strategy of the war, involving
movements against other bases than
Mukden and Lao Yang, is receiving
the close attention of both command
ers-in-chief. There is still doubt as
to whether either Kuropatkin or Oya-
ma is strong enough to take the mi
tiative in an offensive campaign. 1t
is believed that with General Nogi's
army Oyana can muster 325, 900 eff
fectIvc men.
derends upon how many men have
been sent east over the Siberian rail-
road. A British officer says that I'M
der the effective management Of the
Russian minister of railways, the
transportation capacity of the railroad
is double the estimate made ten
months ago, and that Kuropatkin has
100000 men. Captain March, however,
puts his force at 100000
The inference to be drawn from the
statements of Captain March and
others from the seat of war is that
recent engagements and raids count
for little in the planning of the great
campaign which is soon to open unless
peace is speedily declared.
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