Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-05-24
AS LONDON SEES 1T.
Believed That kuropatkin Should Have
Earlier Made Retreat.

London. May 23.-While there is 4
| good deal of confusion in the popular
mind regarding the military situation
in Manchuria, most European critics
believe that though the advance guard
on the Feng Wang Cheng road was re-
lpulsed, Japan's plan for enveloping
Gen. kurOpatkin's army at Lao Yang
has been relentlessly carried out a st.
Petersburg dispatch says some Japan
ese detachments are approaching Muk-
den. The best opinion is that Kuropat-
kin should have begun his retreat
fortnight ago, and the apparent deci-
sion to remain and engage n superior
Japanese force, while bold, is full of
peril.
1t is estimated from the most reliable
Information that the Russians cannot
put into action above 100000 men, while
the japanese will be able to oppose
them with fully 10000. The cXpecta-
tion is that in Il few days. if the Jap
anese succeed in surrounding the Rus
slams, Gen. Kuropatkin will cut his
way out, with tremendous loss, Of
course, and with great damage also
to the enemy.
He might, however. reach and save
IIarbin, where he will be compelled to
make another stand because all Rus
sia'S immense stores are there. 1t is
declared that Harbin is unsuitable to
easy defence, so that Russia's dilemma
in the event Of a siege is of the gravest
description.
Dispatches from the front are somewhat
conflicting. One from the Russian head
| quarters at Mukden says that the main
| body of the japanese army, estimated at
| SO, 600 men. remains south of the Russian
| force that is covering Lao Yang. This
| inaction causes satisfaction to the Rus
slams, as every days delay is favorable to
| them. enabling them to strengthen their
positions. 1t is supposed that the recent
| rams have hampered the movements of
the japanese artillery.
A dispatch from New Chwang says it is
stated on good authority that the object
of the Japanese movements in the dircc-
| tion of Lao Yang is to draw the Rus
slams northward and SO enable the com
pietion of the preparations for the cap
! ture of Port Arthur. The japanese
forces are still fortifying the hills on the
neck of land between Talicnwan bay and
lin Chow They are mounting quick
| ject of preventing Sorties of the Port Ar
| thur garrison.
| IlSIttcncS from Lao 1anS received IN
| St. Petersburg, Sunday. state that Gen.
| l\uropatkin Is strengthening his dCfcnccS
i and being strongly reinforced. The re-
ports OF Il great battle in which the Jap
| anese were defeated We're untrue. S!iir-
| miShing goes on daily. The Japanese
| made Il reconnaissance in the direction
| of Lao Yang, but withdrew as soon as
| they were pressed.
Japan's recent naval losses, while un-
| doubtcdly serious. are not regarded as
materially affecting the present situation.
| The disaster has revived the project of
sending the Baltic fleet to the Far East
! in June. and has greatly revived public
| feeling at St. Petersburg. 1t also con-
frmcd the determination of the Japanese
to take Port Arthur at an carly date ut
any cost. 1t is not believed at st. Pc
| tcrsburg that the Baltic fleet will be sent
| out if the Japanese succeed i'll capturing
| Port Arthur.
The most significant thing in Russia s
present attitude is the systematic agita-
| ton of Chinese scare. The Russian aJl-
thorities are seeking every opportunity in
| the press and otherwise to spread this
! poisonous propaganda. One object Un-
| doubtcdly is to prevent the adoption of
Secretary of State Hays suggestion of Il
| guarantee of Chinese neutrality by the
powers. Russia is also using every eff
| fort to increase the agitatio of the dan
gers of the Yellow Peril.