New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-10
RUSSIANS DEPRESSED.
General Stats attempt to Reassure
the People.

81. Petersburg. May 9.-The virtual abandon
ment by the Russians Of all their advanced
positions along the Manchurian littoral has
created a deep impression among the people
and A feeling of apprehension which the
thorities contend is unwarranted by a calm con-
sderation Of the situation. While not attempt
ing to minimize the importance Of the advantage
gained by the enemy In the occupation Of the
Liao-Tuug Peninsula and the advance from the
Yalu River. the general staff nevertheless de-
cares that if It had not been for General Zassa-
litch's stand At the Yalu the retreat and CON
centration Of General Kuropatkin's army upon
its normal line Of defence would have been re-
garded as a mastery piece OF strategy. The
eouanimity OF the government is shown by the
free publication OF all news kilograms from
abroad some being Of most sensational char
acter
At staff Headquarters the dominant idea IS
that the developments OF the last few days make
II certain that the war viii be long and bitter
There it IS said that half million men would
have been required 10 hold Southern Manchuria
The truth seems to be that General Kuropat-
kin has not more than 100000 men south of
Hardin. and that he is determined to pursue the
plan which he mapped out at frst-to allow the
enemy To follow him back into the heart OF
Manchuria until strong enough 10 assume the
offensive.
THE SIVOCTCH To BE DESTROYED.
The Associated Press is Informed that while
the Russian garrison is still at New-Chwang
the impossibility OF holding the position is fully
realized and preparations for dismantling the
forts and removing the garrison have been
completed. The Russian gunboat Sivoutch
there will be destroyed. Similar conditions pre-
vail at Hai-Cheug. twenty-five miles east OF
New-Chwang.
The question of holding the Russian position
AT Liao-Yang depends upon circumstances. The
Russians hold the pass which commands the
westerly approaches, but IL Is realized that the
position there also will be rendered untenable
il the Japanese succeed in bringing up n SUI
peror force along the northern road 10 Mouk-
den.
An ultimate retirement 10 Hardin might pos
sibly incur the danger OF a Chinese uprising.
which increases with the Japanese successes.
and must be taken into consideration. Should
the news of japanese victories infame the
Russians. withdrawal north OF the zone OF
Chinese hostility might become imperative. The
possibility os active operations against Nladivos
tok also has TO be reckoned with.
The general staff inveighs against too pessl-
mistic view of the situation. pointing out that
the japanese must land another army before
they can hope 10 make a strong advance move
ment, which viii require time. In the mean
time the strength of General kuropatkns army
and his position will daily increase.
Count Vorontzoff Dashkoff head of the Rus
sian Red Cross. authorizes an absolute denial
of the report published by a agency in
the United States that an urgent telegram had
been received at ST. Petersburg from Moukden
asking for the immediate dispatch of one hun
dred extra doctors, and announcing that cpl
denies Of typhus fever. dysentery and smallpox
had broken out among the Russian troops
Viceroy Alexieff refuses 10 receive any more
foreign war correspondents.