No attack has yet been made on Newchwang, but the
.Japanese columns, in a strength as yet not known, are evidently marching through Korea upon the Yalu. German observers, indeed, think it clear that a great battle will take place shortly upon that river, probably towards its mouth, where the Japanese will have the assistance of their gunboats. Meanwhile a skirmish of some importance took place near Cheng-ju upon March 28th between an advance guard of their most northerly column and a considerable body of Cossacks. The latter were • advantageously placed upon a hill, and apparently fought hard, but were driven from their position, retreating, reports. Admiral Alexeieff, in good order. The losses on.either side were slight, but the advantage remained with the Japanese. No trustworthy evidence has, been pub- lished of the comparative strength of the fortes approachint *the future battlefield upon the Yalu, but it is evident from 'scattered notices that the Japanese, while inferior in cavalry, are superior in artillery. Definite information, possibly of
'grave importance, ought to be received before the end of nest week, and we need scarcely repeat that the result of the first engagement on any large scale will have immense moral effect upon the course of the war.
