The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-09
zAssALITCH Is BLAMED.
Russians Hold Him Responsible for
the Present Situation.

the Present Situation.
St Petersburg, May 9. 3:34 p. NJ
The swift march of events at the the
ater of war-the virtual abandonment
by the Russians of all their advanced
positions along the Manehurian lit
toral=has created a deep Impression
among the people and a feeling of ap-
prehension which the authorities con-
tend is unwarranted by a calm con-
sideration of the situation. While not
attempting to minimize the import
ance of the advantages gained by the
enemy in the occupation of the Lao
Tung peninsula and the advance from
the Yalu river, the general staff never
theleSS declares that If 1t had not
been for General Zassalitch's rash
stand at the Yalu, the retreat and
concentration of General Kuropatkin's S
army upon its normal line of defense
would have been regarded as a mas
terly piece of strategy. The eQuanim-
ity of the government is shown by the
free publication of all news kilograms
from abroad. some being of a most
sensational character At the general
staff the one dominant idea is that the
developments of the last few days
make it certain that the war will be
long and bitter. There it is said that
half a million men would have been
required to hold southern Manchuria.
The real truth seems to be that Cen
eraI KurOpatkin has not much over
100000 men south of Harbin. and he
is determined to pursue the plan which
he mapped out at first-to allow the
enemy to follow him back into the
heart of Manchuria. until strong
enough to assume the offensive.
The Associated Press is informed
that while the Russian garrison is
still at New Chwang, the untena bility
of the position is fully realized and
preparations for dismantling the forts
and removing the garrison have been
completed. The Russian gunboat
SiVouch here will be destroyed The
same thing applies to Pal Cheng. 25
question of holding the Russian posi-
ton at Lao Yang depends upon cir
cumStanceS. The Russians hold the
pass which commands the westerly
position there also will be rendered
untenable if the enemy succeeds in
bringing up a superior force along the
northern road to Mukden. An ulti-
sibly incur the danger or a Chinese
uprising, which increases with the
Japanese successes, and must be taken
into considera ton. Should the news
Chinese residents in Manchurfa
against the Russians the latter's with
drawal north of the zone of their hos
tility might become imperative The
possibility of active operations against
Vladivostok also have to be reckoned
with.
The general staff inveighs against a
too pessinistic view of the situation,
pointing out that the japanese must
land another army before they can
hope to make a strong advance move
ment, which will require time. In the
meantime the strength of General
KurOpatkin's army and position will
daily increase. The general staff re-
peats the words of the commander-in-
chief patience, patience, patience -
They also insist that the fun extent Of
the Russian losses on the Yalu river
has been published.
1T is no guess work of our losses, .
said a member of the general staff.
Every man has been accounted for.
Let the enemy publish theirs"