Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-05-13
LAWRENCEBURG, TENN. FRIDAY, MAY 49,
RUSSIANS RETREAT.
Zassaitch Ordered to Make No Fight
at Fenq Wang Chen.

st. Petersburg, May 9.-Two official
dispatches calculated to increase the
depression existing among all circles
in Russia were given out last night
From the point Of view of the pro-
gress of the campaign, the most i'm
portant is regarding the capture by
the Japanese, without opposition, of
Feng Wang Cheng on May 6. The
second gives details concerning the
killed, wounded and missing among
the troops under the command of
Lieut., Gen. Zassalitch, as the result
cf the fighting on the Yalu, the mum.
Der of which totals 1919 officers and
men.
Gen. Kuropatkin forwarded a mes
sage from Gen. Zassalitch, who had
been left in charge of the column re-
tiring from Feng Wang Cheng, which
described the movements of the army
in connection with the occupation of
the town. The information caused no
surprise to officials, who had already
been advised of the decision that no
attempt would be made to hold Feng
Wang Cheng, the superiority of the
Japanese in all fighting arms insuring
a disaster similar to that at Kiulien
Cheng. Therefore Gen. Zassalitch was
given strict orders that there should
be no fight of the. rear guard. The
Russians left while Gen. Kuroki was
making his dispositions for big bat
tie.
The Japanese approached from two
directions, along the main road and
up the valley, placing batteries so
as to command the town. This pro-
cedure on the part of Gen. Kuroki
shows that the entire Japanese plan
Of operation had been .thoughtfully
prepared and that every division com
mander knew exactly what he should
do. ,es M
Now that Gen. Kuroki is established
at Feng Wang Cheng, the Russians
are puzzled as to what move he will
make next The fact that he sent
two companies to Dalien Fiapu Use,
ten miles north-northeast of Feng
Wang Cheng, might indicate his pur-
pose to proceed along this road to
Ting Chan Glen, ninety miles north
from where he would march west to
the Lao Yank. This would permit an
effective flanking movement, but It
Is not considered probable, the like
lihood being that he will move along
the road by which the Russians re-
treated toward Lao Yang. This road
branches off at Chats Chang. twenty
miles westward from Feng Wanf
| Cheng, and continues almost directly
west Of Hal Chang, which was cap
tured by the Japanese during the
Chino-Japanese war A march on
| this lace would compel the evacua.
ton Of New Chwang, as the force
| there would be in danger of destruc
ton, or of being subjected to siegt
by the armies converging from Ha.
Chang and the southern part of the
lao Tung peninsula.
There Is no confirmation up to the
present of the report that the Rus.
slams are preparing to evacuate New
Chwang, but few would be surprised
| if 1t should turn out to be correct
The effect of march along the road
to Hal Cheng would be to place abso
luIely III COHliO vi tuC Odp1hOoC oil
Manchuria between the Yalu and the
Lao Tung peninsula, with the excep
ton of Port Arthur. The Russians
admit that at this stage of the wal
the Japanese control the territory
mentioned.
The Russian Invalid, the army or
gan. makes this concession.
The remainder of the press Is ST.
lent.
Only one. afternoon paper referred
to the abandonment of Feng Wang
Cheng, and that one inconpicuously
1t is believed that Kuroki, instead OF
proceeding to Hal Cheng, will move
northwest along the road to Lac
Yang. He will find the Russians in
trenched at Tien Chori Chan pass
west of the Mao Tien line pass.