The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-05-12
RUSSIANS ARE PUZZLED
Wonder What Move General KurokI
viii Make Next.

St Petersburg. May 1.-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 progress
of the campaign. the most important
is that regarding the capture by the
japanese without opposition OF ! eng
Wang Cheng. on May G. The second
lives details concerning the killed
wounded and missing among the
iroops under the command of hieuten'
ant General Zassalitch. as the result
of the fighting ON the Yalu. the NUM-
Der of which totals 1891 officers and
men.
General KuropatNn forwarded
message from Lieutenant General Zas-
salitch. who had been left in command
Of the column retiring from Fens
Wang Cheng. which described the
movements OF the enemy in connec-
ton with the occupation OF the town.
The information caused no surprise
TO the officials. who had already been
advised of the decision that no at
tempt would be made TO hold Feng
Wang Cheng the superiority of the
japanese in all fighting arms ensuring
a disaster similar TO that at Kin Lien
Cheng. Therefore General Zassalitch
was given strict orders that there
should be no fight of the rear guard
The Russians lett while General
Kuroh was making his dispositions
for a big battle.
The japanese approached from TWO
directions along the main road and mp
the valley. placing batteries so as to
command the town. This procedure on
the part of General KuroN shows that
The entire Japanese plan Of operation
had been thoushtfully prepared ana
that every division commander knew
exactly what he should do.
Now that General KurOh is estab-
lished al Feng Wang Cheng, the Rus
slams are puzzled as to what move he
will make next. The fact that he sent
two companies to Daliandiapu-Tse. 10
miles northeast of Feng Wang Cheng
might indicate his purpose to proceed
along this road 70 Ting Chan Glen, go
miles north from where he would
march due west to Lao Yang. This
would permit an effective thanking
movement. but it is not considered
probable. the likelihood being that he
will move along the road by which the
Russians retreated toward Lao Yang
This road branches off at Chats
Chang. 20 miles westward of Feng
Wang Cheng. and continues almost
directly west of Hal Cheng, which was
captured by the Japanese during the
Chino-Japauese war. A march on this
place would compel the evacuation OF
Newchwang. as the force there would
he in danger of destruction or of being
subjected to a siege by the armies
convareing from Hal Cheng and the
southern part Of the Lao Tung PENN
sula.
II Jsps Killed Celebrating Victory
Toxic. May 9.-During the popular
demonstration last night in honor OF
the victories achieved by the japanese
forces. q people were killed and 40
injured. The killed and injured are
mostly boys. who were caught against
closed gates at an angle in the old
palace walls by the throng and were
crushed or drowned i'm an old mOat
Tens or tnOGsands OF people carrying
lanterns. flags and banners marched
past the imperial palace and the offices
Of the foreign. war and navy depart
ments. Dozens of American and Brit
ish flags were carried by men, women
and children. who participated in the
celebration. 1t was the greatest de-
monstration ever Witnessed in japan.