New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-09
RUSSIAN LOSSES 9,S97.
Result of Yah BattLe-Fear of Dis
aster Caused Retreat.

GSter Caused Retreat.
ST. Petersburg May 9.-Two official dispatches
tending 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 re-
gardng the capture by the japanese without
opposition OF Feng Wang Cheng on May 6. The
second gives details concerning the killed.
wounded and missing among the troops under
the command OF Lieutenant General Zassalitch
as the result OF the fighting on the Yalu. the
total loss being 2.397 officers and men.
General Kuropatl1in forwarded a message from
Lieutenant General Zassalitch. who had been
left in command Of the column retiring from
Feng-Wang-Cheng, which described the move
ments Of the enemy in connection with the &C.
cupation OF the town.
The information caused no surprise TO the off,
Gals, who had already been advised OF the de-
cision that attempt would be made TO hold
-Wang-ChenG. the superiority of the Jap
anese in all fighting arms insuring disaster
similar 10 that at Kuen-Cheng. Therefore
General Zassalitch received strict orders that
there should be no fight at the rearguard. The
Russians left while General Kurod was making
his dispositions for Zig battle.
JAPANESE MOVE WELL PLANNED.
The japanese approached from two directions
along the main road and up the valley, placing
batteries so to command the town. This
procedure on the part of General Kuroh shows
that the entire japanese plan Of operations had
been thoughtfully prepared. and that every
division commander knew exactly what he
should do
NON that General Kurok is established at
Feng- Wang-Cheng she Russians puzzled as
10 what move he will next make. The fact that
he sent two companies 10 Daliandiapu-tse, ten
miles noTth-northeas; Of Feng-Wang- Cheng.
might indicate his purpose to proceed along this
road 10 Ting Chan-Gien thirty miles north,
whence he could march due west 10 Lao Yang.
This would permit effective fanking move
neut, but it is not considered probable, the like
llhood being that he viii move along the road
by which the Russians retreated toward Lao
Yang. This road branches off at Chats-Chang.
twenty miles westward Of Feng-Wang- Cheng,
and continues almost directly west 10 Hal
Cheng. which captured by the A.panese
IN the Chino-Japanese War
KUROKI MAY MENACE NEW-CHwANG.
A march Oh this place would compel the
evacuation OF New-Chwang, as the force there
would be in danger OF destruction OF being
subjected 10 a siege by the armies converging
from Hai-Cheng and the southern part OF the
Liao-Tung Peninsula.
There is no confirmation this morning OF the
uate New-Chwang but few would be surprised
if it should turn out 10 be correct. The effect
of march along the road TO Hai-ChenS would
be TO place absolutely in the control OF the
japanese all Manchuria between the Yalu and
the Liao-Tung Peninsula. with the exception
of Port arthur. The Russians admit that at
this stage Of the war the japanese control the
territory mentioned, the "Russky Invalid the
army organ, making this concession. The re-
mainder of the press is silent
Only one afternoon paper referred 10 the
abandonment of Feng- Wang-( rheQE Tucked
away in a corner Of that paper a small
item saying that the post and telegraph Offices
at that point were closed.
KURoPATKIN's PLANS UNKNOWN.
Where General Kuropatkn's main force is
now stationed has not been announced. though
General Zassaltch states that the cavalry start
ed for Schlindjane.
There continues 10 be the greatest ignorance
regarding the plans Of the commander in chief.
who is taking every precaution TO prevent in
formation from reaching the enemy, the censor
st Liao-Yang refusing 10 pass single press
dispatch which in any way indicates the Rus
sian movements. Messages from other points
are strictly censored.
II is believed that General Kuroki. instead of
proceeding 10 Hai-Cheng. viii move northwest
along the road TO Liao-Yang. He will find the
Russians intrenched at Tien-Chori-Chan Pass.
west Of Mac-TieE-Llng Pass.
II is pointed out that the abandonment Of
Southern Manchuria viii be beneficial 10 the
Russians. it will enable the complete ooncen-
tration OF the forces which have heretofore been
scattered in consequence Of ignorance as 10
what the enemy proposed 10 DO.
Though the people tried by the general
withdrawal, it is recalled that General Kuro-
patkin counselled patience before he left St
Petersburg for ManchurIa. No word OF criti-
cism az his conduct Is heard, every one recog-
MIXING that he knows all the conditions and is
better able TO judge when he can safely offer
battle 10 the enemy
THE RUSSIAN CASUALTIES.
The sTeWsonle figures in the Russian losses
on the Yalu are higher than had been reported
by Major General Kashtalinsky, who himself an
pears 10 have been wounded by a Aging stone
The list enables exact statement Of the
forces under General Zassalltch, which were
made up exclusively Of Eastern Siberians and
sncluaed the 9th. roth. nth, 18th and 22d regi-
ments, battalion OF the 2fth Regiment. all the