New-York tribune., 1904-09-03

helps to make the dispatch intelligible The ar
tillery fight during the day makes il evident
that screen Of Russian guns was used TO cover
the movement across the river. The guns on
the north bank doubtless were also employed
FOR this purpose. being placed so as TO protect
the railroad bridge spanning the Tai-Tse.
The review OF the Third Siberian Corps. men
toned in the dispatch, probably refers TO
march past Of the troops while crossing the
river. il being impossible TO suppose that there
a formal review while the battle was in
progress
Late yesterday the War ONCE said it was en-
tirely without news OF to-day's fighting. but
added that the railroad between LiaO-Yang and
Aioukden was open.
There seemed so be an air Of considerable con-
ndence at Peterhof last night An official who
saw the Emperor yesterday afternoon said that
his majesty was extremely confident and in
good spirits.
Experts who are familiar with the nature OF
the intricate and powerful defenses constructed
north OF the Tai-Tse by General Velitchko. one
of Russia's foremost engineers. believe that the
Japanese are facing almost impossible task
in attacking them. especially with divided forces.
1t IS pointed out that General Kuroki will have
30 make 3 considerable detour to reunite his
forces. The bridge heads abutting on the north
bank Of the Tai-Tse River are strongly defended
by intrenched artillery while # is understood
that there is a strong rearguard still the
thus making the bridges utterly irlrracticable
for q japanese crossing.
A temporary lull in the nghting would not be
surprising. The men on both sides nave al
ready made almost superhuman efforts
r. Is positively stated that General Kuropatkin
decided 10 withdraw from his positions south
Of Ldao-Yang 10 the north or right bank of the
Taa-Tse River on Tuesday night The fact that
Eslropatkin's strongest position was ncrth or
the Tai-Tse was a secret successfully guard
ed that not even an .ntimation Of it had leaked
out. II is now explained that the Russian com
snsnder in chief had anticipated that the Jap
suese would pursue the tactics which had been
SO successful in every previous stage of the
campaign This time Kuropatkin was prepared
for Just what happened. and as soon as he re-
s,eivea word that General Kurok had crossed
she Tai-Tse twenty miles from Liao-9ang and
v-ss moving westward the Russian cOmmander
met the move by drawing his whole army over
at night
BY this piece Of strategy Kuropatkin, in the
opinion Of the general staff gained an immense
advantage. His army is concentrated on one
side of the river ana the road is still open for
his retirement northward, while the japanese
armies which must act in unison. are separated
F,y the river which places Kuropatkin in po-
-s.so,, "a o,nosA KuroLi With his whole army,
uhile Generals oku and Nodzu the other
side Kuropatkin's great strength in cavalry.
in the opinion Of the War Office, will stand him
in good stead now.
There are two good regular bridges at LAO
Yang. over which the Russian crossing was ef-
fected. ana then there is the railroad bridge,
about two miles down the stream
The Toxic report that Kuroli's forces were in
action at Hei-Ying-Tai, north of the river. in
dicates that General Kuropatkin has already
engaged him with part of his army. 1t is un-
derstood that, through the fighting Of the last
few days Kuropatkin's main reserves did not
leave their position on the north bank Of the
river
The absence Of press kilograms is explained
by the transfer OF the head telegraph office at
TAao- Yang TO Shakhe, fifteen miles north
japanese shells were dropping into the office on
the north bank Of the Tai-Tse. shell killed
two operators Monday. The field telegraph
which is working between Shakhe and Kuro-
pstkin's headquarters, is not available 10 cor
respondents. who would have TO send their
messages by express rider to Shakhe. difficult
task. owing the heavy roads
Interest here is at white heat. Every foreign
telegram is eagerly pounced upon and the
newspapers are printing extra editions four or
I'VE times a day a thing heretofore unprece-
aented in the Russian capital