New-York tribune., 1904-10-17

General Kuropatkin's story leaves the Rus
slams still tenaciously holding the north bank
Of the Shakhe river. but general belief is that
this Is only the desperate finale OF one OF the
greatest military dramas OF history, and that
the whole Russian army is retiring toward
Moukden. having suffered at the most conserva-
tive estimate a loss of over 10000.
| or the left flank which was one Of the most
important points in the line of battle absolutely
nothing is heard which leaves the inference that
! it is not in position to communicate with the
/ remainder of the army.
/ All the wounded are being carried 20 Hardin
| further north. It Is understood that the corTe-
! spondents also have been ordered to Harbin
which indicates that the retreat will not even
stop at Tie Pass. All hopes Of the world-heralded
advance to Port Arthur have been abandoned
! The weather conditions even worse than DUR
| ing the retreat from Liao-Yang. Streams are
bank high and fords are impossible; but It ls
| impossible to say how this will affect the nnal
situation. It may prove Russian salvation oy
preventing a Japanese pursuit On the OtheT
! hand, however, If the Russians are on the wrong
! side the flooded rivers may only emphasize the
completeness Of the disaster.
Another serious fact that remains undeteF-
mined is the ammunition supply. Seven days
of furious fighting must have greatly cep4eVeU
the supply of both armies. Official circles ex-
press great confidence that General KuroPatkin
is better off in this respect, but at last accounts
the Japanese were bonlbardng as II they "e'e
confident of an inexhaustibie supply
The official story of the battle says theI 'HO
Jspanese made q determined effort 10 break the
Russian centre Friday night. but this. it seems
may be a clerical or telegTaPnIc eI'V1 @''
Thursday. simultaneously the Japanese
launched a heavy assault against the va
lage OF Shakhe, which had already oeeh
furious attacks ana
counter attacks. The Russians were forced TO
evacuate the village, but heroically recaptureo
the position. This brought the reserves Oh Ooth
sides into action, but whether the whole OF the
reserves OF either side were engaged is not clear
The Russians were again and finally driven oul'
making FIVE times that Shakhe had changed
hands in the course Of the battle. The Russians
then retired to a new position north or ShaKne'
General Kuropatkin says that Friday night
was passed in comparative quiet, tut that sat
urciay saw an immense concentration OF Japan
ese on the Great Mandarin Road, where the
Russian batteries we're vigorously playing IN
an effort to hold them IN check.
The result of Saturdays fight has not been Of
hcially given, but there is every evidence that
it was OF the most severe character
It was in the japanese furious night attack of
Wednesday according to unofficial accounts.
that the Russians lost their guns. Thursday
witnessed another furious cannonade. in which
the whole OF the Russian centre was forced
back In the afternoon Of the same day the
Russian right began TO give way. Toward
evening came a few hours luIl. but az midnight
the cannonading was renewed with increased
fury. eyewitnesses declaring that it exceeded
IN intensity that at Liao-Yang.
There was much desperate lighting on Friday.
which carried on through tremendous
storm OF rain. hail and thunder. General Kuro'
patkin personally took command Of the Petrof
Regiment II was in the midst Of this awful
war OF man and elements. the PetrofT Regiment
leading. that the Russians for the last time
charged doggedly into Shakhe and took the town
in the face of the hottest japanese lombard
ment
The latest reports from the battle OF Sun
day afternoon and evening. when the Russians
We're carrying on heavy rearguard fight, evil
denuy retiring Moukden. Generals oku and
Nodzu were concentrating for another blow on
the Russian right. where the hghting is de-
scribed as having been furious General Nodzu
is reported TO rave been wounded seriously. but
this cannot be confirmed.
Moukden itself remains quiet. though the
sounds Of battle plainly heard TO the south
ward The railway station IS coneested with
trains Of wounded proceeding 10 Harbr. The
hospital facilities are completely overtaxed Six
urday alone. The heroic surgeons and nurses.
many Of whom have been without sleep for
thirty-Eix hours. are ready TO drop from fn-
tieue
Although the official account OF the battle
does not present the disastrous picture that
many In St. Petersburg had resigned themselves
to see. the general feeling here is of the deepest
gloom. II the battle has not been Russia's
Sedan in fact. the moral and political effect
could hardly be worse. The result VIII render
the war and It's conduct more unpopular than
ever at home. while the greatest fears are ex-
pressed that the Chinese population, II not the
government, VIII be encouraged to abandon "A
long doubtful neutrality ana openly side with
the victorious Japanese. From the military
point OF view, the most bitter disappointment Is
in the knowledge that the reverse seals the fate
of the heroic defenders of Port 4 hur who are
now without hope OF succor from the outside
world
A remarkable feature is the popular sympathy
with Genera! KurOpatkin. Viceroy Alexieff is
again charged with responsibility for kuropat-
rather than criticism is awarded to the i'll
starred general. but It is felt among army OFF,
Russia has suffered at his hands that it is
impossible that he can ever have the chance to
retrieve the disaster.
Moukden. Oct 1G. 1925 p. m-shakhe is
again In the hands OF the Russians After the
last evacuation OF the village by the Russians
the Japanese failed in attempt to reoccupy
it. and now the village is held by Russian in
fantry. There is(5every indication that the
Russian right flank is about to resume the of
fensive and reoccupy the positions held by them
on October 10 and Ii. The japanese resistance
is growing weaker, and they apparently
preparing to eVacdate.
Toward the east and centre the Jananese are
more stubborn, and are showing more resist
ance. Some of the positions the fighting line
nave already changed hands ten times