Evening journal., 1904-10-17

farther norL. 1t is understood that
the correspondents also have been or
dered TO Harbin, which indicates that
the retreat viii not even stop at Tai
pass. An hopes of the world heralded
advance TO Port Arthur have been
abandoned
The weather conditions are even
worse than during the retreat from
Liaoyang. Streams are bank high, and
fords are impossible. but il is impossi-
bic to say how this Will affect the. final
situation. 1t may prove Russian saliva
ton by preventing a japanese pursuit
On the other hand. however. II the
Russians are on the wrong side the
flooded rivers may only emphasize the
completeness Of the disaster
Another serious fact that remains
undetermined is the ammunition sup
ply. Seven days of furious lighting
must have greatly depleted the supply
of both armies. Official circles express
great confidence that General Kuro-
patkin Is better Of In this respect. but
at last accounts the Japanese were
bombarding as if they were confident
Of an inexhgustlble supply.
The official story of the battle says
that the Japanese made determined
effort 20 break the Russian center Fri
day night, but this, II seems, may be a
clerical on telegraphic error for Thurs
day. simultaneously the japanese
launched a heavy assault against the
village Of Shalhe, which had already
been the scene Of so many furious at-
tacks and counter attacks. The Rus
slams were forced TO evacuate the vii
lace, but heroicaily recaptured the po-
sition. This brought reserves Of both
sides into action. but whether the
whole OF the reserves Of either side
were engaged is not clear. In any
event the Russians were again finally
driven out. making five times that
Shakhe had changed hands I'm the
course Of the battle. The Russians
then retired TO new position north Of
Hhakhe
Gcneu Kuropatkin says that Friday
night was passed n comparative quiet,
but that Saturday saw an immense
concentration Of japanese ON the Great
Mandarin road. where the Russian bat
teries were vigorously playing in an
effort TO hold them in check
The result of Saturdays fight has not
been officially given. but there is every
evidence that It was Of the most severe
character.
II was during the Japanese furious
night attack Of Wednesday, according
to unofficial accounts, that the Rus
slams lost their guns Thursday wit
messed another furious cannonade, in
which the whole Of the Russian cen
ter was forced back. In the afternoon
OF the same day the Russian right be-
gan TO give way. Toward evening came
n few hours lull but at midnight the
cannonadlng was renewed with in
creased fury. eye witnesses declaring
that IL exceeded In intensity that at
Liaoyang during the famous fighting
of the 30th and 3ist Of August.
There was much desperate fighting
on Fridny which was carried on
through tremendous storm OF rain
hail and thunder, General Kuropatl,in
personally took command Of the Pc
troff regiment.
Although the official account OF the
battle does not present the disastrous
picture that many IN ST. Petersburg
had resigned themselves TO see the
cneral feeling here Is Of the deepest
sllom. II tho battle has not been
Nvssia's Sedan In fact. the moral and
political effect could hardly he worse
The result will render the war and its
conduct more unpopular than ever at
home. while the greNtest fears are ex-
pressed that the Chinese population, If
not the government will be oncourag-
ed TO abandon a long doubtful neutral
ity and openly side with the victorious
Japanese. From the military point of
view the most bitter disappointment is
IN the knowledge that the reverse seals
the fate of the heroic defenders OF
Port Arthur who are now without
hope Of succor from the outside
world.
A remarkable feature throughout is
the nonnlar sympashv with General