The Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1905, 1905-03-18
USSO-JAPANESE WAR

which will force the Russians onto the
plains north of the pass, where, in
their disorganiZed state, they would
be easy prey for the victory-fushed
soldiers of the Mikado. The men who
escaped are Strengthening the fortif-
cations in Tie pass, but it is hardly
possible that the pass can be held in
the face of the overwhelming forces
opposed to the Russians, and it is not
likely that Oyama will rest satisfied
with his victory at Mullden as he did
after Liao-yang. There will be no
uneasiness as to the food supply as
long as communications are main
tanned to the northward, as large
bands of cattle roam the plains under
Cossack herders, and at every station
on the railway is a huge commissariat
department. The Russian soldier is
always well fed, the soup kitchens on
wheels always keeping in touch with
the men.
Russian Losses Were $4,000.
AS to the losses, Gen. Kuropatl1in
now admits that $4,000 wounded were
carried off the field. This, with the
$4,000 dead left on the field, the 49,
600 prisoners and the wounded left in
the hospitals, comes somewhat nearer
the latest Japanese estimate that the
total Russian losses were 155, 900. At
this rate Kuropatkin cannot have
more than 100000 effective fighting
men with him. The army of Gen.
Linevitch seems to have made the
best retreat, but this no doubt was
due to the stubborn fight made by
Gen. Rennenkampff on his extreme
left, and the equally fierce resistance
Of Gen. Kaulbars on the right, the
latter general losing $4,000 men.
Relentless Japs in Pursuit.
While Gen. Kuropatkin has appar-
emily succeeded in saving more of his
artillery than seemed possible, his
losses in men. ammunition and COM
missariat supplies in the battle of
Mukden are far greater than earlier
reports indicated, and even that por-
ton Of his army which he succeeded
in eXtricating from the positions
around Mukden is still in serious
danger. The Japanese generals, real
izing that with a little more speed
they could have inflicted a crushing
defeat on the Russian army after the
battle of Liao-yang, determined not to
again allow an opportunity to pass,
and are following. after the defeated
ri forces
While a small portion of Kuropatkins
army has reached Tie pass, the great
er part Of those who escaped from the
battle of Mukden are still
Struggling Onward,
being at last accounts between twelve
and sixteen miles from their goal,
with the Japanese. flushed with vic
tory and reinforced by fresh men,
harrassing them from all sides. Even
should the remnant Of the army reach
Tie pass it is hardly possible for it to
make a stand there against the over
wheIming force opposing it, especially
as the Russians must be worn out and
weakened by the loss of men, guns
and ammunition. 1t is more likely that
Kuropatkin will fall right back to
Hardin with what he can save and
wait there for the reinforcements that
St. Petersburg already has promised
him. A possible obstacle to the plan
is Gen. Kamamura's army, which has
not yet been located, and which may
also be heading for the northern CAPT
tai.
Russia Loses 100000 Men.
Gen. Kuropatkin admits that 1,190
officers and 46,931 men are not re-
spending to roll calls. This is rather
vague. It may or may not include the
thousands of wounded VINO have been
sent north, and again it may not in
cIude the losses suffered by the third
army, with which the commandments
chief was not in communication for
some time The figures given by the
japanese war office appear more rea-
sonable, namely, 10000 prisoners, rs
500 dead and left on the field and 3d.
600 killed Or wounded, the latter fig
ure. OF course, including the dead
found by the Japanese. The Russian
losses, therefore, total over lOO,O0O
men, or more Ithan One-third of the
whole army. The fact that the Japan
csc report the capture Of only sixty
guns indicates that Kuropat1in at the
last moment succeeded in sending a
portion Of his artillery
on the railway. The
Japanese Losses
UP to this morning Were reported as
Al ,222, not including the army which
pushed north between Mukden and
Fushun.
Official Russia is determined to car
ry on the war and st. Petersburg re-
ports that orders have been issued for
the mobilization of more troops. This
may prove a difficult task with the
temper of the Russian people in its
present condition. There is still hope
in st. Petersburg that Russia can ex-
haust Japan financially, and for
there has been talk of the mo-
bilization of an army on the Siberian
border which would compel Japan to
keep her vast army in Manchuria.
RECEIVERS FROM OPERATION.