New-York tribune., 1904-10-04
RUSSIANS IN THE DARK.
UNABLE TO LOCATE FOE.
Scouts Fail TO Keep in Touch 7f'lH
KurOki'S .4rmy.

Moukden. oct. 3.-There have been few
small outpost fights. bGt otherwise the situation
r. unchanged The japanese are active west
aard Of Moukden. TIE Russian cavalry forces
are strong in that direction. their horses are in
splendid condition and the roads are good. The
japanese are also active eastward and have
been reinforced.
ST Petersburg. oct. 3.-The Var Commission
adjourned tonight without issuing further
news from the front An Associated Press dis
patch from Moulden. filed there at 1880 o'clock
tonight. states merely that all is quiet there-
There is intense interest here in developments
at Moakden. but the public, and, apparently, the
authorities also. are utterly in the dark as TO
what is transpring. The little news received
from Port Arthur comes from abroad, but that
little is satisfactory. inasmuch as ii records a
further repulse of the japanese attacks.
dispatch was received to-day from General
Sakharoh announcing that the Japanese have
strengthened their advance posts al Fengtiapu
sixteen miles southeast Of Moukden. Elsewhere,
he adds there are no developments.
The reports circulated abroad in the last few
days that the Emperor had received most pessi-
rnistic reports from Lieutenant General Stoes-
sci are denied. It is learned authoritatively
that his majesty did not get a single dispatch
from Stoessel while he vas away. On the con-
trary the feeling about Port Arthur is dis
tinctly more hopeful, owing the failure OF the
besiegers to make headway.
Nemirovich Danchenko the Russian cor
respondent was recently received by General
Kuropatkin at Moullden He telegraphs that
the commander is looking hale and hearty and
that his words breathe unrUfIied confidence
Kuropatkin is worshipped by the soldiers and
enjoys the unbounded confidence Of the officers.
whom he cheers and invigorates by example
into unceasing activity. To the younger officers
he saws constantly:
BE patient. We are sure TO win. The enemy
must and shall be vanquished. TIL then help
one another. Be vigilant. Remember that war
is the time 10 learn. So take your lessons to
heart"
The War ONCE apparently does not anticipate
6ghting on a large scale in the immediate future
The principal cause Of alarm al tie War Office
is oocasioned by the lack of definite Information
regarding the exact wherea bouts Of Field Mar
shal Oyama's right. The Russian scouts have
lost touch with General Kuroki's main army
which may give increasing Importance 10 the
Ranking movement west under General O1u.
which hitherto has been regarded as feint for
the real turning movement 10 strike at Gen
eral Kuropatkin'S line Of communications from
the east. 1t also may contain the potentialities
Of a big surprise.
Ten DAYS ago kuropatkin ana The War Office
were convinced that the Japanese were con-
centrating at Sianchan and that an immediate
advance IN force was imminent Accordingly.
she Russians fell back from The passes of the
Ia Mountain range without Offering resistance.
3ut after several days they suddenly discovered
that the Japanese We're not pressing forward,
and thcreuion the Russian scouts pushed out
10 ascertain the cause They penetrated as far
Sisnohan and Siaodyr bringing back the
starting Intelligence that no more than bri-
radr cf J2panese troops was there
T:is forthwith was followed w by important
cavalry movements and the reoccupation Of the
Da range PASSES But Kuroki's main body was
SO; located. There were 40 indications how
ever. shat he had succeeded in reaching a po-
Eltion further eastward whence he could make
pivot movement against the railroad and II
.sas consequently concluded that his main force
must ctil be between the Yentaf mines and
BensihU. FIVE miles due east Of Yentai station
In a word, the present adyicos Indicate that
the japanese preparations are being MADE more
slowly than supposed. Possibly the DELAY is
owing 10 their desire TO take advantage Of The
fine weather 10 complete their arrangements for
q long winter campaign before actively resurn-
ing the offensive Kuropatkin's plans are care
fuly guarded While ne is disposing his forces
TO take advantage of any situation that may
OFFER, the best opinion is that he VIII not ao-
cept general engagement hut win withdraw
10 Tie Pass, where the bulk % his army is
massed.