The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-08
KuropaIkin's Critics Increase Be- cause He Must Abandon
 Makdtn and to North
EVERYTHING NOW DEPENDS
 ON HIS RESERVE FORCES
After Day of Furious and Unprece. dented Fighting the Russian Po- sition Is More Desperate
 Than Ever Before.

St. Petersburg March s.-2:16 a. m That the battle of Mukden will go down in history with Liao Yang in the long lists of Russian defeats is the almost uni. versal belief in official St Petersburg, which has forgot the meaning of the word victory
 The war office does not admit that the issue of the great battle which already exceeds in magnitude of operations and losses that of Shakhe has been decided, although 1t is positively stated in high quarters that Kuropatkin has telegraph. ed to Emperor Nicholas that 1t will be impossible to hold Mukden, and that the withdrawal of the army northward has already been begun.
 Nothing from General Kuropatlsin since Monday has been given out, but advices to St. Petersburg newspapers and dis patches to the Associated Press dated at o'clock last night indicate that the posi- tion of the Russian army after day of furious and unprecedented fighting is desperate, but not absolutely hopeless, some Russian correspondents even pre- dieting Russian victory soon, and one
 
 has already begun to retire southward.
 Depends on kuropatkn's Reserve.
 Everything now depends on Kuropat- kins reserve.
 While the Japanese hurled themselves forward at every point yesterday. their main energies were behind the blow west and southwest, in attempt to envelop the Russian right and drive a wedge through the line at Madzyapu, but Gen eral Kuropatkin seems to heve been able successfully to change front on his shat tered right, aligning from northwest to southeast, to protect the railroad at Muk- den, and at at nightfall 1t was reported that .he was practically holding all of his positions.
 According to reports all the concen- trated attacks of the Japanese to the westward failed and the efforts of Gen erals Nogi and Oku to push the encircing movement north and eastward across General Kuropatkin's lines of communi- cation was blocked. Reports however, conflicting. One correspondent tele- phs of hearing firing to the north ward toward Tie Pass. which may be be- tween Cossacks and a flying column of Japanese
 Simply Meet the Attacks.
 While some Russian correspondents perhaps attach importance to several minor Russian successes on the south ern front, which evidently were simply counter attacks, and in no sense really offensive movements, If Kuropatkin has plan for striking a real blow upon which in the opinion of experts his sal- vation depends, there is no indication as yet of such a purpose. The comman- der-in-chief has been confining his strat- egy. as at Lao Yang to meeting the attacks of the Japanese and accepting battle at places chosen by Field Marshal Oyama
 Both sides are terribly exhausted by ten days of continuous fighting and all the correspondents at the front estimate that the issue must be definitely decided today.
 At the military clubs here General Kuropatkin Is already regarded as beat en. the only question being his ability to execute retreat. Those who believe there Is st.ll chance for actual Russian victory are few and far between. The majority regard the fighting yesterday as in reality a read guard action. entertain ing a hope that there will be a with drawal during the night The officials are dependent practically upon the same advices as the public.
 kuropatkin's Critics Increase.
 General huTDpdIkln cTltCS among military men are increasing in number, the burden of complaint being that in every action he has shown a lack of initiative. With defeat now. whether disastrous or otherwise, they declare his star will set. On the other hand 1t is re- piled Field Marshal Oyama's daring strategy If successful in this battle will cntitle him to rank as one of the greatest military generals of the age.
 Politically the result may determine the question of continued prosecution of the war. An overwhelming disaster 1t is be- lieved will surely bring Russia to terms, but anything less might not break the stubborn resolution on the Russian gov ernment. Tn it's bearing on the internal situation the result of the battle is re- garded as equally important.
 No exact figures are hazarded as to the lcsses although it is evident they will exceed those at Liao Yang on both sides.
 Japs Were Heavier Losers.
 According to all accounts the Japanese who had to attack were the heavier losers everywhere except in the west. In the matter of supplying food and ammunition the Russians, occupying defensive lines, enjoy great advantage which might prove decisive at the crucial movement. All the dispatches from the front dwell upon the terrible exhaustion and hunger of prisoners who have been captured