The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-17
ku-opatkIn In the MountaIns.

ku-opafkln IN tne mountains
General Kuropatkin and the remnants
of the army which was defeated by the
Japanese on the Shakhe and Hun rivers
and again around Mukden and Tie Pass
are now In the mountains a few miles
north of the southern entrance to the
pass trying to shake off their pursuers
who apparently are not going to repeat
the mistake of Lao Yang ard allow the
Russians 10 escape.
Kuropatkin has been reinforced by the
garrisons of Telling and other northern
towns and a few new troops, who were
on their way from Russia wien the bat
tie of Mukden began. But even with
these there seems little hope for him. He
has some thirty or forty l. lies of hilly
country extending from Tie Pass to
Fenghuatsien, which might enable him
to hold off the enemy for a time, but once
out of the hills he has before him nearly
300 miles of fat open country and in
Vulnerable rivers and streams to cross
This is what 1t is termed the great shl-
ley OF the Sungari but Is In fact an i'm
mense plain bounded on the east by high
mountains and extending northward into
Siberia and westward into Mongolia
Country Is Wonderfully Rich.
Kiren, east of the railway and Harbin,
the most northerly point on the railway
where 1t branches off to Vladivostok east
ward and to Siberia westward, are the
centers of this wonderfully rich country,
resembling In many respects the north
west territories of Canada. From Tie
Pass the railway runs over hills known
as the divide to Kaiyuan. 20 miles, then
striking into a valley. on each side OF
which rises high hills, emerges on to
the plain just northeast of the Chinese
city of Fenghuasin.
From there to Hardin hardly hill can
he seen from the railway train, the line
running almost straight except where an
occasional survey is necessary to reach
citv or favorable crossing of river. Be-
sides the railway there Is a splendid
wagon road from Tie Pass to Kaiyuan
where It branches, one branch making
detour to the westward slkirting the
mountains and running almost direct to
Harbin. The other branch passes through
the mountains to Kirin, from which center
there are many roads, The distance from
Tie Pass to Harbin is very little less
than 3UD miles anu CAACpS III VIC Affo~
few miles, every acre is under cultivation
or supporting herds of cattle. sheep and
horses.
Russians Have Plenty of Supplies.
So far as the coms-issariat is concern
ed the Russians need have no fear.
Hardly a pound of last years crop of
beans. millet or wheat left the country.
the Russians buying 1t all but storing
n at stations along the railway, immense
shelters being erected for its reception.
They also purchased all the cattle and
horses and had Cossacks herding them.
The weather on the plain is very much
colder than in the Mukden section of
Manchuria the thermometers in the
train dropping several degrees as the di-
vide is crossed and continuing to go
down until Lake Bailxal is reached. As
rule the ground does not commence to
thaw until April except a very little on
the surface in the middle of the day,
the sun being strong even in winter.
The most Important Russian town be-
tween Tie Pass ard Harbin, with the ex-
ception of Kirin. which is not on the rail-
way. is Kwansuliig, also spelled Kung-
chuling This town is a little over 100
miles north of Tie Pass. Here were gath
cred great stores of provisions along
side of which wee erected Red Cross
hospitals. the best by far that the Rus
slams had south of Harbin. At all other
stations there was aso hospita! accommo-
dation so that If Ku,opatkin escapes from
Oyama at Tie Pass he has a good coun-
try to cross at the most favorable sea-
son of the year. Andher few weeks and
the roads will be inpassable.
Is No DefensibIe Position.
But If he were hard PRESSED there is not
a defensible position, Unless he abandons
the railway and seeks safety In the east
ern hills Later in the year, of course,
the rivers would afford some protection
but in winter being frozen. they are as
easy to cross as is the country West
of Hardin. along the railway. the first
hills are encountered atput midway be-
tween Hardin and the Siberian border.
These mountains are mist formidable.
several switch backs and tunnels being
necessary to carry the railway over them.