The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-08

St. Petersburg. May s.-(2;1S a. m.)- When the war commission adjourned this morning, Il failed to give out any official | dispatches regarding the situation on tine Liao Tung peninsula, or at Feng Wang ChcnG.
 Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the Japanese troops were in contact with the Russian forces at Feng Wang Cheng, and the report that the latter had evacuated | that place is generally credited. Surprise is caused by the withdrawal of General Krropatkin towards his base at Liao Yang, as Il is said that immediately after he learned of General Zassalitchls logses he sent endorsements to him to erable him to retain his position.
 | Officials here frankly confess that they are not fully informed of KuropatlSin's s plan. He is in sole charge of the opera tions in Manchuria. The czar declared that when General Kuropatkin started out that he should have compete in- dependence, so there can be no ground for complaint that he is hampered by in- structions or advice from officers in St. Petersburg, who could not possibly know
 
 l the 2eld meet. Kuropatkin, therefore, has made his own dispositions and formulated his own plan. What little is known here shows that he intends to observe the same l caution that has distinguished the opera
 tions of the Japanese. Finding that he l could not offer battle at Feng Wang Cheng with an even chance of success, he l has decided to fall back, it is believed, l to the Mao Tien Pass. Back of the pass l there is another pass, near which is a 1 temporary railroad connecting with Liao Yang.
 Follow Up Same Plans. l The Japanese have followed up now, l practically in all respects their plans in l the Chino-Japanese war. They have crossed the Yalu at the same place and
 landed on the Liao Tung peninsula at the same point, and it is believed that they will continue their tactics as their dispo- s.tions foreshadow the movements made | in 1894.
 | It is not at all unlikely that another Japanese army will be landed on the pe- ninsula, which will move northward along the railroad line. During the Chi no-Japanese war the Japanese captured Port Arthur two weeks after their dis embarkation on the peninsu,a.
 Russians say that the Japanese Will I not find 1t so easy a task to reduce Port Arthur as they did before
 The Japanese army marching north- ward along the railroad once past kai Ping. can compel the Russians to evac- uate New Chwang. or else undergo a pat | tie or state of siege. If the march IS prosecuted as far as Hal Cneng' wnere | the Japanese defeated the Chinese army. | General Kuropatkin will have to aban- don Mao Tien Pass in consequence Of the | strategic weakness of the position. The l nosaession of Feng Wang Cheng IS or | the highest importance, as 1t places un- i der the control of the Japanese without | further opposition large strip or Mah- churian territory bordering the Bay or
 Korea, and the road connecting Lao yang Hai Cheng, New Chwang and Pit sewo. The command of the road to plt- sewo will enable this army to estapiisn 1 communication with the Japanese operat- h,p on the Liao Tung peninsula.
 stoicism is Wonderful.
 The stoicism of the people is wonderful. | hut the fact that stoicism is displayed 1 ebows nlainer than words could, the de- 1 nression that exists The Russians had not looked for the retirement Of their army from Feng Wang Cheng, believing | that A. battle would occur there in whicn | their troops would be victorious ana
 would wipe out the sting of the disasters
 suffered. Nevertheless there Is no ols- position to criticize General kuropatkin
 in whom the people believe, and they VIII
 wait with all the doggedness of the slav character maifested in the Dark Days
 of the Turkish war for the victory which | they have faith is sure to come. l The enemy of the Japanese meets with
 unwilling admiration, and 1t is expected | that they will continue vigorous cam l paign. The nation is fully awakened to what this means. It understands that | Russia must exert all her strength, and | that a long war cannot be avoided.