Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-05-17


mand of the Russian squadron there,
has led to the suggestion that Skryd-
loff return from the far east and hoist
his flag as commander of the Baltic
squadron. which is destined for the far
east Vice Admiral Rojestvensky, who
has been gazetted to command the lat
ter is Junior of Vice Admiral Skryd-
loft and would be ordered to report to
him as communicating chief. Whatever
Skrydloffs future plans may be, the
admiralty says he will certainly pro-
ceed TO yladivostok and inspect the
squadron there. The report that
Vladivostok is bIockaded is denied at
the admiralty. kilograms received
from Rear-Admiral lesson do not refer
to the presence of single Japanese
ship. 1t is said that the Russians
would not have the slightest objection
to a blockade of Vladivostok, since 1T
would tie up Japanese squadron
without causing inconvenience, 1t being
Admiral Skrydloff's plan not to risk
either of the Russian squadrons until
the Baltic squadron reaches the Pa
cific.
No official dispatches were given out
this morning ON account Of the delay
occasioned by the emperor's journey.
His majesty arrived at Kharkoff this
morning, whittier all dispatches have
been transmitted. A special force of
operators has been detailed for this
purpose
In tNe absence of advices the general
staff is continuing it's speculation based
on the latest reports Of the appearance
of considerable bodies of the enemy in
the northwest section of Manchuria.
The opinion prevails that this is an in
dication of the intention OF the Japan
eSe to make an attempt to stop Gen
eraI Kuropatkin's retreat northward
while the main Japanese force is hurled
against Liao Yang and Mukden, 1t is
believed here that the Japanese gem
erals must appreciate that they would,
lose the fruits of their achievement if
Knropatkin retired unmolested to Har-
bin and there awaited reinforcements,
leaving the invaders to hold the coun-
try, and thereby losing men by disease.
The Japanese course would have good
prospects of success if. they had suf-
ficient strength, but the authorities
here are convinced that the enemy Is
too weak to carry 1t out. AS further
showing that Kuropatkin never had
any intention to attempt, to stop the
northward advance of the Japanese. q
railroad engineer who has just arrived
here from the far east was quoted to-
day as saying that when he talked with
he III Cbl dNA
the latter wanted an additional line
built in the rear of the Manchurian
army, so as to enable it to fall, back
and subsequently advance.
The engineer added: Kuropatki"
said he hoped to advance at the end of
June. or I'm case the rains interfered.
at the end of August. pointed out
that he had better 60 slow and make
survey, to which Kuropatkin re-
Piled
Build Immediately. There is nc
time for a survey. Otherwise the whole
territory will be in the enemy's
hands
Mukden. Monday, May 16.-The
fghting line is steadily nearing Muk,
den, where Viceroy Alexieffs head
quarters still remain. Little reliable
information can be obtained by the
newspaper correspondents, who ara
forbidden to proceed to the scene of,
operations. and official information is
withheld until advices are sent to st
Petersburg. It is now known, how
ever. that the Japanese are almost
within striking distance of the Rus
slams. and that the forces protecting
Iiao-Yang are stretching eastward
from the railroad along the Mao-Tien
mountain range.
The japanese are advancing in three
columns and are now north of Siu-
Yen and Feng- -Wang-Cheng Two col-
umns are reported to be working fur
ther to the northward with the object
of turning the Russian position and
advancing upon Mukden.
Numerous small engagements have
been fought, but no decisive action has
taken place. Port Arthur is now com
I~kc r0Ia I'll y y, To
dition at Polandien.
The Japanese are now operating in
n rugged country well suited to the
Russian defense; but north of Lac
Yang to Mukden the country is fiat
plain. intersected by rivers. The
weather recently has. been hot and
dry, but the rain which has fallen in
the past two DAYS has made the roads
almost impossible for vehicles. and
when the rainy season begins, at the
end of June. this plain will be convert
ed into morass. This condition will
probably result in the practical suspen-
sion of operations.
A significant feature of the situation
is the demeanor of the Chinese popu-
lation which may be said to be n ba-
rometer of the military weather. A
close observer of the expressions and
general attitude of the Chinese can tell
now tue HgntinE hundred miles hWay
Is turning. They have rapid and mys
terious channels OF information through
which the result of the battle at Feng-
AWang-Cheng spread and could be sus-
pected from the outward manner of
the Chinese before the Russians made
II known here. The cutting off of Port
Arthur is another instance in point
The newspaper correspondents are
most courteously treated by Colonel
Poestich. the officer whom Niceroy
Alexieff appointed to attend them, but
they are chatting under the restrictions
imposed here. which prevent them
from seeing anything Of the fighting
General Kuropatkin is evidently un-
willing that the foreign correspondents
shall witness the present phase Of OPP
erations. though he may accept them
in the indefinite future, when the Rus
SLAMS are able 10 make a sweeping ad-