Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-10
GEN. KURoPATKIN's ORDER.
He Announces That Forces Are Strong
Enough to Advance.

Following is the text of an order of the
day issued by General Kuropatkin and
dated Mukden, October 2. announcing his
determination to take the offensive:
more than seven months ago the enemy
treacherously fell upon US at Port Arthur
before war had been declared. Since then,
by land and sea, Russian troops have per-
formed many heroic deeds of which the
fatherland may justly be proud. The en-
envy, however, is not only not overthrown.
but in his arrogance continues to dream of
complete victory
1.-The troops of the Manchurian army, in
unvarying good spirits, hitherto have not
been numerically strong enough to defeat
the Japanese army. Much time is neces-
sary for overcoming all the difficulties of
strengthening the active army SO to en-
able it to accomplish with complete success
the arduous but honorable task imposed
upon it, 1t is for this reason that, in spite
of the repeated repulse of japanese at
tacks upon our positions at Tatchekiao,
Liandiansian and Liaoyang, 1 did not con-
slider that the time had arrived to take ad-
vantage of these successes and to begin
forward movement, and 1, therefore. gave
the order to retreat.
Withdrawal From Liaoyang,
You left the position you had so hero
ically defended. covered with piles of the
enemy's dead and without allowing YOUR
selves to be disturbed by the foe and in
full preparedness for a fresh fight, After
a fve-days battle at Liaoyang you re-
tired on new positions. which had been pre-
pared previously. After successfully de-
Tending all advanced and main positions
you withdrew to Mukden under most diff.
cult conditions.
Attacked by General Kurokis army you
marched through almost impaS SabIe mud
nghtlng throughout the day and extricat-
ing guns and carts with your hands at
night and returned to Mukden without
aoandoning single gun, prisoner, or
wounded man, and with the baggage train
entirely intact
Retreat Deemed Necessary.
ordered the retreat with sorrowful
heart, but with mistaken confidence that If
was necessary in order to gain complete
and decisive victory over the enemy when
the time came.
The emperor has assigned for the con-
Met with Japan forces sufficient to assure
us victory. All difficulties in transporting
these forces over distance of 10000 versts
are being overcome in spirit Of self-sac-
rlnce and with indomtable energy and Skill
by Russian men of every branch and rank
of the service and every social position to
whom has been intrusted this work. which.
for difficulty, is unprecedented in the his.
tory of warfare.
In the course Of seven months hundreds
or thousands of men and tens of thousands
OF horses and carts and millions of pounds
of stores have been coming uninterruptedly
by rail from European Russia and Siberia
to Manchuria.
IF the regiments which already have
been sent out prove insufficient fresh
troops Will arrive, for the inf1eXble wish of
the emperor that we should vanquish the
foe will be infiexibly fulfilled
Russian Forces Strong Enough.
Heretofore the enemy, in operating has
relied on his great forces, and, disposing
his armies SO as to surround US, has chosen,
as he deemed fit. his time for attack; but
now the moment to go to meet the enemy
for which the whole army has been longing,
has come, and the time has arrived for us
to compel the Japanese to do our will, for
the forces of the Manchurian army are
strong enough to begin a forward move
ment.
Nevertheless, you must be increasingly
mindful of the victory to be gained over
strong and gallant foe. In addition to
numerical strength in all commands, from
the lowest to the highest, the firm determi
nation must be to prevail, to gain victory.
Whatever be the sacrifice necessary to this
end, bear in mind the Importance of victory
to Russia; and, above all, remember how
necessary victory is, the more speedily to
relieve our brothers at Port Arthur, who,
for seven months, have heroically maintain
ed the defense of the fortress intrusted to
their care.
"Our army, strong in its union with the
emperor and all Russia, performed great
deeds of heroism for the fatherIand in all
our wars, and gained for itself well-merited
renown among all nations. Think at every
hour of the defense of Russias dignity and
rights in the far east, which have been in
trusted to you by the emperor's wish.
Think at every hour that to you the defense
of the honor and fame of the whole Rus
sian army has been confided.
1.-THE illustrious head of the Russian land,
together with the whole of Russia, prays
for you. blesses you for your heroic deeds.
Strengthened by this prayer and the small
consciousness of the Importance Of the task
that has fallen to us, we must go forward
fearlessly with firm determination to do
our duty to the end, without sparing our
lives.
'"The will of God be with us ALL