The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-09
R. R. is CUT.

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this morning papers. the government
true to its policy of breaking bad news
gently only preparing the way by auth
orizing the publication of a number of
premOnitory kilograms. The news, how
ever, is only what was expected, ulti-
mate retirement having been discounted
from the moment Oyama inaugurated
his brilliant move westward.
From information in the possession of
the Associated Press it is known XII
ropatkin contemplated retirement be-
fore the beginning of the battle and
that he had hoped to accomplish it
without a serious combat. The Japa-
neSe, however, forced him to accept bat
tie The double turning movement
compelled him to send the major part
of his reserves to the fighting line and
render an effective counterstroke out of
the question and the decision to retire
was taken on March as was stated by
the Associated Press on that day.
Withdrawal was actually begun during
the night.
The great question now and the one
over which the general staff burned its
lights late in to the night is whether
Field Marshal Oyama has entangled
the Russians in his strategic net suffi-
GENTLY to prevent a successful retreat
to Tie Pass. General Rennenkampff'S
force to the eastward it is admitted is
in great danger of being cut off, and a
considerable force of Japanese appear
to be operating on the Russian right
well toward Tie Pass. If the Japanese
succeed in reaching the railroad and
interrupt traffic if only for a few hours
it may have the greatest consequence
for General KUropatkin, who is now en-
gagged in a loteraI race with the Japa-
nese to reach a naturally defensible po-
SitiOn 40 miles north ward. Thus far he
has stood off all the attacks directly
against the tanks of his army and
holds the way of retreat open. He un-
doubtedly was forced to abandon a
number of siege guns on his Shakhe
position, but if he succeeds in turning
over the army intact with the principal
portion of it's artillery train to his sue
cessOr. the Russian case will be by no
means desperate for Oyama will again
have missed his quarry and compare
lively barren victory will have been
purchased at enormous cost of life.
All reports indicate that the japanese
were utter reckless of sacrifices, max
ing attack after attack, and on the GEN.
ter and west against machine guns and
infantry fire which literally moved
down the advancing columns, making
human flesh so cheap that the survi-
vors could bastion themselves behind
piles of corpSeS-
After this action General Kuropat-
kin's deposition may be regarded as
certain. War Minister Sakharof is
picked as his probable successor;
though Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholas
evitch of the board of strategists.
may be entrusted with the direction of
affairs. A strong faction OF the army,
those high in influence about the en-
peror, opposed Gen. Kuropatkin from
the first and though his early defeats
were condoned because it was realized
that Kuropatkin was doing all that
man could with the tools at his COM
nand. it is now felt that after twice
having the opportunity to show what
he could do with a powerful army and
having failed to accomplish victory
either time his removal is advisable.
A high military official said last night
that the emperor had had enough of
general whose Interpretation of vic
tory was a successful retreat