The San Francisco call., 1905-03-09

ters Of offensive strategy since Napo-
leon. while General Kuropatkin is now
engaged in endeavoring to defend his
title as a master Of successful retreats
and bring off his army, with its i'm
mense train, safely to Tie Pass. where
a position was long ago prepared with
this contingency in view.
The problem before the Russian COM
naander-in-chief is much more difficult
than the one he met successfully at
Liaoyang, since now he is threatened
on both tanks. his left wing being en-
tangled in a mountainous region far
from the railroad. Nevertheless, Rus
sian military men here express a fair
degree Of confidence in General Kuro-
patkin's ability once more to extricate
his army and avoid a Russian Sedan.
Besides his skill in rear-guard action,
they base their hopes on the physical
condition Of the japanese soldiers,
who, though they are conceded TO be
the greatest naarchers in the world, are
well nigh exhausted by their strenuous
endeaVOrs Of the last fortnight.
Only TO the initiated .is the news Of
the reverse positively known at this
time. Emperor Nicholas and high mill
tary officials, Of course, were informed
by General Kuropatkin's telegram of
Tuesday, stating that Mukden must be
abandoned, and they received details Of
the beginning of the withdrawal as
they appeared in portions of the official
dispatches given out yesterday.
HOPED TO AVOID BATTLE.
Last evening a newspaper contained
q vague report of doubtful origin, cred
tied TO Chinese sources, but the first
positive statement was derived from
the press dispatch from General Kuro-
kis headquarters, the contents OF
which were quickly telegraphed to
many Liberals from friends abroad.
The report probably viii not be printed
in this mornings papers, the Govern
ment, true to its policy Of breaking bad
news gently, only preparing the way by
authorizing the publication Of num-
Der Of premonitory kilograms. The
news, however, is only what was eX-
pected. ultimate retirement having
been discounted from the moment
Oyama began his brilliant move west
ward.
From information in the possession
OF the press, il is known that General
Kuropatkin contemplated retirement
before the beginning Of the battle, and
that he had hoped to accomplish it
without a serious combat. The Japan
ese 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
rendered an effective counter-stroke
out Of the question. and the decision to
retire was Immediately taken on March
6. Withdrawal was actually begun dur
ing the night.
RENNENKANPFF IN DANGER.
The great question now and the one
over which the general staff burned
its lights late into the night, is wheth-
717E I-1Tf -1..z
the Russians in his strategic net suf-
ficiently TO prevent a successful retreat
TO Tie Pass. General Rennenkampff' S
force to the eastward admittedly is in
great danger Of being cut off, and a.
considerable force of japanese appears
10 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, il may have the gravest conse-
quences for General Kuropatkin, who
is now engaged in a literal race with
the japanese to reach a naturally de-
fensible position forty miles north
ward. Thus far he has stood off all
attacks directed against the fianks Of
his army and holds the way of retreat
open. He undoubtedly was forced to
abandon a number Of siege guns on his
Shakhe position, but il he succeeds
in turning over the army intact, with
r-train, TO his successor, the Russian
case viii be by no means desperate
for Oyama viii again have missed his
quarry and a comparatively barren
victory win have been purchased at an
enormous cost Of life.
All reports indicate that the jap
anese were utterly reckless Of sacri-
fices, making attack after attack
especially on the center and west
against machine guns and infantry
FIRE which literally moved down the
advancing columns, making human
flesh so cheap that the survivors could
hide themselves behind piles Of
corpses.
KUROPATKIN TO BE DEPOSED.
After this action, General Kuropat-
kins deposition may be regarded as
certain. War Minister Sakharoff is
picked as his probable successor;
though Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholo-
witch OF the Board of Strategists may
be entrusted with the direction Of af-
fairs.
A strong faction OF the army-thoso
high in influence about the Emperor
opposed General Kuropatkin from the
first, and though his early defeats were
condoned because ii was realized that
General Kuropatlxin was doing all that
man could with the tools at his COM
mand, il is now felt that after twice
having had 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
q general whose Interpretation Of a
victory was a successful retreat.
Fabian tactics are well enough in
their way, say these critics, but
Kuropatlxiu went beyond those OF Fa-
bian. and neglected to take account
OF favorable opportunities for counter
strokes
Friends of General KuropatlSin, how
ever, say that no other general is apt
TO DO as well as he has done, and de-
clare that his removal may mean, IS
IN the American Civil war, the ex-