New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-15
ST. PETERSBURG HAPPY.
Report of japanese Repulse at Port
arthur accepted

St Petersburg July 15.-The people OF ST
Petersburg retired tonight in a happy frame or
mind. The absence of a dispatch from Lteuten-
ant General stoessel military commander at
Port Arthur. regarding the reported disaster TO
the japanese last Sunday night Is generally
attributed to the delay in communicating official
news owing to the absence of the Emperor
Private dispatches from Russian sources in the
Far East confirm the reports from Moukden ana
Che-Foo. According to a usually reliable source
the Japanese losses were $500 and the Russian
losses 800.
The city remains in ferment of excitement
and extras are eagerly bought in the hope OF
finding the long expected dispatch from ueiiei"'
Stoessel 1t was only late tonight that news ar
rived which, had 1t become generally known
would have tended somewhat to dampen the
enthusiasm This was from Tashi-Chieo. COM
municating an undated dispatch from Port Ar
thur received there July 10 1t did not men
ton the assault the repulse. but 1t is quite
possible that it was sent from Port Arthur
earlier than July 10 so that it cannot be fairly
regarded as contradictory evidence
II IS certain up TO this date that there Is no
disposition in any quarter here to question the
truth of the news. There Is a general convlc-
ton that. If Viceroy Alexieff decided TO com
municate the report to the general staff. it must
be true The Associated Press learns that the
War ONCE had some hesitation in giving out
the dispatch owing 10 its doubtful wording. II
is contrary to the custom of the War Office to
publish statements made with such reserve as
Vceroy Alexier thought fit to adopt,
There is good reason to believe that the re-
port came from the Russian Consul at Che-Foo
Arrangements have almost been completed for
the transmission of wireless reports between the
Lao Tial-Shan Promontory and Che-Foo.
whereby St. Petersburg will be advised daily OF
1ba 81 Arth
The rejoicing in the Russian capital is in
creased by n foreign dispatch confirming the
ia panese reverse The question IS eagerly asked
II the Russians took advantage OF the japanese
discontinue TO follow up the blow and intiict
crushing defeat. with possibly the capture of the
siege guns. The news that the Vladivostok
cruisers and torpedo boats were out again filled
the Russian cup OF Joy TO overlooking.
The retreat from Ying-Kow and. perhaps from
Tashi-Chiao. do not weigh in the balance. Peo-
pie who had begun to grumble at General Kuro-
patkln inclined under the influence OF the
news from Port Arthur to take the opposite
view. which is also voiced by trained military
expert who says that the retreat from Kali
Ping was a masterpiece in tactics. This expert
sees in General EUROPA atkins strategy the flaw
less carrying out OF military science a departure
from which would have prec,pitated disaster In
this light General Baron Stackelberg's march
appears TO have been a stroke of genius since
ne kept In contact with the enemy, prevented
tuncture OF the Japanese armies and generally
retarded the japanese plans both IN the north
and south OF the Liao-Tung Peninsula.
The transfer OF General Kuropatkin's staff to
Tashi-Chiao. and the appearance OF great
activity there buned the japanese into devot-
ing all their attention to that quarter. leaving
the more valuable line from Llao-Yang TO
Moukden alone. Even II there be no battle at
Tash- Chao or Haicheng. the Russians
looking forward with entire confidence to the
concentration of General Kuropatkins forces
around Liao-Yang, which will mark the sue
cessful termination OF the first stage Of his
campaign.
1t is not improbable that fighting is
progressing at Tashi- Chiao as Russian advices
show that the Japanese were within few miles
of that place. coming up in two columns from
the south each side of the railroad and in
two columns from the east the Siu-Yen
roads The extent Of the Russian resistance will
probably be determined by the character OF
General Kurokrs and General Nodzu's advances
on Haicheng. A large force of Japanese within
striking distance of HaIcheng would render II
impossible for the Russian commander In chief
to remain at Tashi-Chiao. in which event there
will be a fight at Haicheng, the result of which
will be much more important than the recent
enga cement at kal-Plng.
A telegram from Lieutenant General Sakharoff
reviewing the situation yesterday. notes the con-
tinued Japanese advance on Tashi- Chiao. and
contnu ous fighting along the SiuYen roads con-
verging on Tangchi ten miles southeast of
Tashi- Chino. The Russian outposts apparently
were not offering serious resistance on either of
the Siu-Yen roads along the line OF General
Oku's advance There may be a slight collision
at Tangent. where General Kuropatkin probably
has stationed his left wing rearsuard. The Japa-
nese utilizing Kai-Ping to land supplies
General SGkharoff also reports the appearance
of General Kurokis outposts considerably south
Of Lao Yang This is indication OF Il gen
eral thanking movement Haicheng. The
japanese northern outposts falling back on
Sumatju probably due to pressure on the part
Of General Rennenkamph
Although there is confirmation here of the
Toxic report that the Japanese have taken
Yeng- Kow without opposition il does not create
surprise, the abandonment of that place being
considered only a matter of time.
The Emperor Is expected to arrive here to-
morrow Saturday from his trip to the south
of Russia. whittier he went to bid farewell TO
the troops departing for the Far East. All
preparations have been made at the Peterhof for
the reception of heir to the throne about
July "a