The San Francisco call., 1905-03-12
Abandons Guns and
Supplies to the
Victors.
LOSSES ENORMOUS
Slav Fox Himself
Directs Rear
Guard.
ENEMY Is PURSUING
ENEMY Is PURSUING

| Kuropatlzin's retreat from Iiaoyanp,
considered one of the most masterly
I'm history, has been far overshadowed
by the latest feat of the Russian gen.
eral. After fighting for nearly three
weeks against a force now said to
have numbered close to half a million
men, losing in killed, wounded and
missing probably a third of his army,
Or nearly 100000 men, and fourth
OF his artillery. Kuropatkin gathered
what was left together north of Mulx-
den and is taking them toward Tie
Pass, through rain of shrapnel
which is being thrown upon them from
both right and left.
/ There is stiIis however, q chance of
General kawamura's army taking a
hand In the battle and should it strike
the Russians at Tie Pass or cut their
communications to the nortl1ward the
disaster to Kuropatl4in's once fine
army will be complete.
What part of his army the Russian
general has saved apparently is not
known at the Russian headquarters.
All dispatches indicate that part of
his force has been cut off. General
Kaulbars seems TO have extricated his
corps, likewise Bilderling, but not SO
with Lineyitch.
A press correspondent says the jap
anese surrounded the First and Fourth
Russian corps and adds that help
could not be sent to them. Their fate
Is not recorded and the inference is
that they have suffered either annihf-
lation or capture.
TIE PASS. March IL e p. m) For
many versts all the approaches to Tie
Pass are covered by troops, artillery
and baggage transports pressing
northward, and twenty-five miles away
the strong rear guard of troops, which
is commanded by General Kuropatkin
in person, is retiring slowly, dogged-
! ly disputing with the pursuing enemy
every foot Of ground in order to cover
the retreat to the rear of the army.
The losses in this defeat, which is
the most bitter yet experienced by the
Russian army, by a moderate compu-
tation is not less than 10000 men on
both sides.
The Russians, in addition, sacrificed
enormous quantities Of munitions and
stores, the greater part of which were
set on fire before leaving Mukden.
| It is impossible to say whether the
Russians will be able to put up a fight
and hold this position or whether It
will be necessary to continue to re-
treat to Harbin, but the rank and file.
whose military qualities never shone
so brightly as In the defeat, are far
from being panic-stricken, and un-
der capable leadership and given
brief time to strengthen positions may
be able to check their pursuing enemy
at this point.
HOW THE BATTLE WAS LOST.
The order to abandon Mukden and
retreat to the Tie Pass position was
given at o'clock on the evening of
March g. At dawn Of that day the
Russians held line on the Hun River
i from a point ten miles east of Fushun
| to Madyapu, the west front extending
! to a point six miles north of Mukden
station, and the continuous line of bat
tie generally paralleling the railroad,
four or five miles distant.
A terrible dust storm ragged and ten
sion had reached its extreme limit. 1t
was realized that if any point of the
Russian line gave way all would be
lost The position in the most extreme
danger appeared to be north of Muk-
| den station where 1t seemed for a time
that the Japanese might break through
and entirely cut the lines of retreat.
/ General Kuropatkin concentrated
/ heavy columns there. took command
himself and succeeded during Thurs
i day morning in forcing the Japanese
back from the railroad and also in
driving out bodies of japanese east of
! the railroad.
/ RUSSIAN LINE BROKEN.
The maneuver appeared to point to
success, when news arrived that the
r-onffnuoE IN P10o 09 C1lvrr11y,