New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-11

know nothing. We hope he will bring the army
oer safely. but we 90 not know how he will do
., we.only know he has begun to retreat; that
is all"
Fvervqne Is now discussing peace, which
many Of the stanchest advocates OF the war;
n,reaucraas and officers. now declare to be IN
evitable. It is openly reported that RojestVen-
sl5v.s feet has been recalled and is now on the
way bomeward. The admiralty, when asked
# the report were true said: We don't know
call again tomorrow" and declined to COM
n.ent on the cancellation of the purchase Of
GOLFERS. or the direction of Rojestvensky's
voyage from Madagascar waters 1t can be
stated. however, that no oyertures Afor peace
have vet been made, and none are likely 10 be
made before the extent of the disaster has
developed
Aside from peace, defeat may bring other con
sequences in its train. That an enormous i'm
petus has been given to.thes reform movement is
plain to even the most .reactionary Conserva-
tives. but the immediate result chiefly dreaded
is the effect on internal disorders, not only in
the capital. but Also on the millions of peasants
in the vast agricultural regions, among whom
the spirit Of revolt is now being fostered, and
already has caused pillage and arson in some
districts. It is believed. however. that the gov
eminent is amply able to check these uprisings
and prevent Radicals in The cities from accom-
plishing anything more than demonstrations and
talk Of revolution.
Outwardly St. Petersburg takes the defeat uE-
concernedly. A stranger in the streets would
never know that armies defending the prestige
of Russia had just sustained crushing reverse.
There were no crowds last night, no demonstra-
lions. no change from the ordinary street life.
Newsboys were hawking extras on the street
the three lines Of General Kuropatkin's dispatch.
surrounded by wide margins of blank paper-but
there was nothing to indicate that the extras
were more important than those in which for
year General KuropatKin's dispatches have been
issued.
The government made no attempt to pa1ate
the shock or explain the significance of the re-
treat, but simply sent the dispatch. when it
was issued by the general staff late in the
evening. direct TO the papers. with authorize
ton to print. At the clubs and in private
houses. however. the situation was discussed
and rediscussed, conjecture added to fact, and
the invariable query was, What further"
One circle of Liberals, on receiving the news,
called for wine and solemnly pledged New
Russia"
The defeat however, is keenly felt, especially
by families represented in the endangered army. |
The spirit of unpatriotic exuItation seems likely
to do the Liberals no good, as the defeat. which
one Russian correspondent describes as ''slaugh-
ter, not battle" entails the sacrifice of so many
thousands Of. Russian lives the people fear to |
count up their losses. It is realized that in
the fighting before Moukden was evacuated the |
death roll of the. battle OF. shakhe must have |
been far exceeded. anu the streets of st. Pc
tersburg where now every third woman wears
Grape, viii present a sombre sight when the
casualty. lists appear -.
The papers blame Russian diplomacy for not |
Including in the theatre Of operations the terri
tory west to the Hsin-AIn-Tun road, which
Field Marshal Oyama used to accomplish his |
bold turning movement. and criticism is heaped |
upon Ixuropatkin. The Russ" however while |
admitting Kuropatkin's faults as a strategist, |
insists that the responsibility should not be |
shouldered by him alone The real cause of the !
Russian defeat, the paper boldly declares, is !
'the bureaucracy, which is Incapable of efficient
administration and the vicious system which |
kills all initiative in the men out of whom sol
diers are made and keeps them in ignorance, |
while the system of our adversary creates good
and intelligent soldiers"