The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-09-05
TIRES CONFIDENCE IN
GEN. KUR0PATKIN.
Bitter Disappointment Prevails in
st. Petersburg.

HEeNnlIH IN
st. Petersburg.
st. Petersburg, Sept. 5. 2;20 a. NJ
There is bitter disappointment to-
night probably the keenest of the
whole land campaign, over the situa-
ton at the front. Up to Lao Yang,
the retreating from and the abandon
ment of positions had been expected,
and that much the public and the off,
Gals thought they knew of Gen. Ku-
ropatkin's- present plan of campaign.
Had Lao Yang been abandoned
without a fight the public at least
would have looked forward patiently
to a decisive stand at Mukden, but
after a desperate battle, with victory
for the instant apparently in sight, to
find Lao Yang abandoned, the i'm
mense stores captured or destroyed
and the retreat continued under the
most adverse conditions, severely tries
public confidence in the commander
in-chief
At this hour even the authorities
know little more than has already
been given to the public. There is
still much doubt as to whether Ku-
ropatkin is continuing his retreat, or
whether indeed, he has been able to
do so. The public as yet is not aware
of Gen. Stakelberg's escape from be-
ing cut off.
The situation, as it is known to date,
is that the Russian army is south of
the branch connecting Yentai station
ten miles northeast of Lao Yang, with
the Yentai mines, where fierce fighting
has been in progress. Actual fighting
seems to have been suspended for the
moment, the armies probably resting
after their continuous exertions of the
past ten days, the longest single battle
in history, and it will depend upon their
respective recuperative powers as to
which will first be able to resume ac-
tivity.
The country is ill-suited to military
operations 1t is hatter and more open
than the region south of Lao Yang,
but is covered at this season with dense
fields of Chinese corn growing higher
than a man on horseback. 1t is more
suited to surprise tactics and to Of
fensive operations than to an orderly
retreat.
One feature of the situation, how
ever apparently has been overlooked
by the local critics in their eagerness
to chronicle a decisive engagement,
namely, that Kuropatkin is still in
command of the railway and apparent
ly has saved majority of the rolling
stock. This is chiefly in requisition at
present for the transportation of the
wounded, but Mukden, with strong de-
lenses, is less than thirty miles north
of Yentai. What force Kuropatxin is
holding in reserve there, even the au
thorities do not exactly know, but it is
believed that it must be considerable,
While the European achievements
which have been rushing east for weeks
past are pouring in there daily.
The japanese army is confessedly
exhausted, and is getting further from
its base of supplies. If it reaches
Mukden without dealing Kuropatkin Il
crushing blow and Field Marshal
Oyama seems to be not able to en-
velop the Russian force-the Japanese
will find themselves in front of a fresh
and strongly defended city, where the
Russians will be sure of a warm well
come and renewed supplies and against
which it seems impossible that the
Japanese commander will be able to
hurl his brave, but WORKOUT and pos
sbly starving, forces.
1t is possible that even now Rus
sian reinforcements may be descending
from the north to aid their retreating
comrades at Mukden. which is less
than two days ordinary march dis
tant, even ignoring the railway.
What effect the present reverse will
have on Gen. Kuropatkin's reputation
at home it is impossible to say. 1t
may be remembered, however, that be-
fore starting for the Far East. Gen.
Kuropatkin said he fully expected his
reputation to sink lower than his
friends even dreamed, but thereafter
there would come a turn. and it would
rebound. He was unwilling to say
where the turn would occur.
The battleship Oriel has gone to
Cronstadt. This brings Rear Admiral
Rojestvensky's squadron up to its full
complement.
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