The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-08
SILENCE IN ST. r=--1RsBURa.
War Office Fails to Make Public any Dispatches

St. Petersburg. May S.-When the War Commission adjourned this morn- Ing. it failed to give out any official dispatches regarding the situation on the Liao. Tung peninsula, or at FenE Wang Cheng.
 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 Kuropatkin to- wards his base at Liang Nang, as 1t Is said that immediately after he learned of General Zassalltch's losses he sent achievements to him to enable him to retain his position.
 Officials here frankly confess that they are not fully informed of Kuro- patkin's plan. He is in sole charge of the operations in Manchuria. The Czar decided when General Kuropatkin started out that, he should have com plete independence, so there can be no ground for complaint that, he is ham, pered by instructions or advice from officers in St. Petersburg. who could not possibly know all the conditions which the troops in the field meet. Kuropatzin Supreme.
 Kuropatkin. therefore, has made his own dispositions and formulated his
 
 shows that he intends to observe the same caution that has distinguished the operations of the Japanese. Find Ing that he could not offer battle at Feng Wang Cheng with an even chance of success. he has decided to fall back. 1t is believed, to the Mao Tien pass. Back of the pass there is another pass near which is a temporary railroad connecting with Liang Yang.
 Tha Io have foIIOVad m nnuy practically in all respects. their plans In the Chino-Japancse war. They have crossed the Yalu at the same place and landed on the Lfao Tung pen insula at the same points, and 1t is be- lieved they will continue their tactics as their dispositions foreshadow the movements made in 1894.
 It is not at all unlikely that another Japanese army will be landed on the peninsula, which will move northward along the railroad line. During the Chino Japanese war the Japanese cap . tured Port Arthur two weeks after their disemharkation on the peninsula.
 Russians say that the Japanese will not find it 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 svacuate Newchwang or else undergo a battle or a state of siege. If the march Is prosecuted as far as HaichenE where the Japanese defeated fthe Chi nese army, General Kuropatkin will have to abandon Maotien pass in con sequence of the strategic weakness of the position.
 Of High Importance.
 The possession of Feng Wang Cheng Is of the highest importance, as it places under the control of the Japa- nese without further opposition a large strip of Manchurian territory border Ing the bay of Korea and the road con- necting Liaoyang Haicheng, New. chwang and Pitsewo. The command of the road to Pitsewo will enable this army to establish communication with the Japanese operating on the Liao Tung peninsula.
 The stoicism of the people is won derfui, but the fact that stoicism is displayed, shows plainer than words could the depression that exists. The Russians had not looked for the re- tirement of their army from Feng Wang Cheng, believing that a battle would occur there in which their troops would be victorious and would wipe out the sting of the disasters suf- tered
 There is nU disposition to criticise General Kuropatkin in whom the peo- ple believe. and tlsey will wait with all the doggedness of the Slav charac- ter manifested in the dark days of the Turkish war. for the victory which they have faith Is sure to come.
 The energy of the Japanese meets with unwilling admiration and it is expected that they will continue a wig orous campaign. The nation is fully awakened to what this means It un- derstands that Russia must exert all and that long war p-