The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-07-16
REJOICING IN ST. PETERSBURG
No Disposition to Doubt Japs' Defeat
AZ Port Arthur.

dI FOTk fihlfhlf
St Petersburg. July i5,-The peo-
pl4 OF ST. Petersburg are In a happy
frame OF mind. The absence OF a dis
patch from Lieutenant General StOes'
sci commander of the military forces
al Port Arthur. regarding the report
ed disaster to the Japanese last sun
day night generally attributed to the
delay in communicating official news.
owing to the absence of the emperor.
Private dispatches received IN ST.
Petersburg from Russian sources in
the Far East confirm the reports from
MuRden and chefoo According 10 a
usually reliable source the japanese
losses were $500 and the Russian
losses 500.
The city remains in a ferment OF
excitement. and extras are eagerly
bought in the hope OF finding the long
expected dispatch from General Stoes-
sell II was only late last night that
a dispatch arrived, which, had II be
come generally known. would have
tended somewhat to dampen the en-.
thusiasm. This was a dispatch from
TAtchekiao, communicating an IN
dated dispatch from Port Arthur re-
eeiyed there July 49, IL did not men
ton the assault or the repulse, but 1t
Is quite possible that the dispatch was
sent from Port Arthur earlier than
July 10, so that It cannot be fairly re-
garded as contradictory evidence
Il is quite certain up to this date
that there is no disposition in any
quarter In St. Petersburg to question
the truth of the news. There is gen
eral conviction that If Viceroy Alex
Jeff decided to communicate the re-
port to the general stan # must be
true.
The Associated Press learns that the
war Office had some hesitation in CIV
Ing out the dispatch, owing to It's du-
biative wording. II is contrary to the
custom OF the war Office to publish
statements made with such reserve as
Yiceroy Alexieff thought III 10 adopt.
The rejoicing In the Russian capital
is increased by foreign dispatch CON
firming the Japenese reverse. The
question is eagerly asked If the Rus
SLAMS took advantage Of the japanese
discontinue to follow up the blow
and infict a crushing defeat, and pos
sibly the capture OF siege guns.
The news that the Yladivostok
cruisers and torpedo boats were out
again filled the Russian cup OF Joy 10
overlooking.
The retreat from Yinkow, and per
haps from Tatchekiao, does not weigh
in the balance. People who had be-
gun 10 grumble at General Kuropatk!n
are inclined, under the influence of
the news from Port Arthur 10 take
the opposite view. which is also voiced
by a trained military expert, who says
the retreat from Kaichou was a mas.
terpiece in tactics. This expert sees
In Kuropatkln's strategy the flawless
carrying out OF military science, a de-
parture from which would have pre-
cipitated disaster. In this light Gen
eral Baron Stakelberg's march ap-
pears to have been a stroke of genius,
since he kept in contact with the en-
envy, prevented a juncture OF the Japa-
nese armies. and generally retarded
the Japanese plans. both in the north
and south Of the Lao Tung peninsula.
The transfer of General Kuropat-
kin's staff to Tatchekiao and the ap-
pearance Of great activity there bluffed
the japanese into devoting all their
attention to that quarter, leaving the
more valuable line from Lao Yang to
Mukden alone.
Even II there be no terrible battle
at Tatcheldao or Haicheng, the Rus
SLAMS are now looking forward with
entire confidence to the concentration
of General Kuropatkin's forces around
Lao Yang. which will mark the sue
cessful termination of the first stage
of his campaign.