New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-10
RUSSIAN STAFF SILENT.
Information Refused-People Vel
come Countrymen' Defeat.

ST. Petersburg, March 9.-The general staff
officers furnish no clear explanation of the sit
uation at Moukden declining to make public
any details beyond those contained in the off,
cial dispatches.
The atmosphere of the War Office is intensely
gloomy. The officials admit that General Ku-
ropakn has suffered a bloody defeat. but they
say that it is not a disaster.
The most important development of the day Is
the report that a flying Japanese column has
appeared northeast of Moukden and is heading
rapidly west. This probably is part of General
Kurcki's army, which is making detour by
forced marches and swinging around to effect
junction with General Nogi If the maneuvre
succeeds the net will be closed.
1t is said here that General Kuropatkin and
his staff at Fan-Cha-Tun station, on
the railroad ten miles below Tie Pass
In addition to the Eastern Chinese Railway
and the Mandarin road, it turns out that the
Russians have narrow gauge railroad connect
ing Moukden with Tie Pass. over which to effect
their withdrawal
The feature OF the situation is the satisfaction
of the Radicals who do not attempt to conceal
their JOY and frankly acknowledge that the
bigger the disaster the better they will be
suited. They seemingly would like to see half
million of their countrymen perish at the
hands of their country's foes for the embar-
rassment it would cause the government
One of General Linevitch's corps was hurried
ly withdrawn last night and dispatched to the
support of General Kaulbars's hard pressed
forces, who were lighting off General Nogi's
thanking legions west and northwest of the CITY
At the same time the remainder of General
Linevitch's army fell back to the north bank
of the Hun River. where it checked tempo
rarily the pursuing columns of General Kuroki
who hemmed him in west, south and east
All day yesterday and last night wounded,
munitions baggage and stores streamed north
ward. The railroad and the Mandarin road
were almost blocked at the last moment, not
withstanding the fact that immense amount
of stores was removed last week. The Russo
Chinese Bank moved to Tie Pass on Sunday
guns, projectiles reaching the railroad.
General Nogi has already reached point
opposite the station of Sou-Ha-Tai, half way
between Moukden and Tie Pass. but 1t is be-
north for blow at the line of communications
which would realize Field Marshal oyama' 8
plan for closing the iron ring.
While the defeat OF Kuropatkin has revived
the talk of peace ii is too early yet to measure
its full effect. If Kuropatkin succeeds In draw
ing off his army no matter how badly shat
tered, the War Office insists that the situation
will be unchanged, repeating the old argument
that Kuropetkin, with his army still intact will
again await reinforcements while the Japanese
will suffer under the disadvantage OF lengthsned
comm unioatione.
One of the most persistent rumors here is that
the Russian west front which practically ex-
tends north and south 10 protect the line of re-
treat, has been broken and that the bulk of the
Russian army has been forced eastward In the
direction of fu-Shan Should this prove to be
true. General Chickering's part of General Line
vitchs army is certain to be trapped