Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-03-11

Russians Fleeing in Disorder-Army
Being Cut up-Enormous Losses
Kuropatktn Surrounded.

Being Cut up-Enormous Losses
Kuropatkin Surrounded.
Toxic. March 1.-THE fastest dis
patches frsm the front indicate that the
Russian retreat has become rout. The
Russians are flying northward, with the
Japanese following them closely. So
vigorous and relentless has been the
pursuit that whole division of the enemy
have beeu cut into small sections A
wedge was driven into the Russian center
on the Hun river, IN which Kuropatkin
relied, in great measure, to cover his
retreat and the victorious japanese ars
rushing toward the north. By this move
ment the Russians have been enveloped
between the wedge and General Oku's
army on the west. In this position the
retreat lost all semblance of order, the
Russians flying wildly.
Russians lest heavily during thess
manoeuvres, The heavy guns of the
Japanese we're trained on the routed
sections and wrought awful havoc in the
ranks OF the unprotected enemy, whose
only thought was to get beyond range.
BY the wedge movement the large
force OF the Russians was corraled, The
Russians are now fighting desperately
10 pierce the Gordon. Many of the mill
tary experts here are of the opinion that
General Nogi, with the Port Arthur
veterans, has cut bis way through on
the north and will prevent this.
The japanese are pursuing the same
tactics of cutting up the enemy into
sections ia their attacks in other
directions. The enveioping movement
has succeeded, as reported by Field
Marshal Oyams, and the japanese are
directing their energies now TO the
annihilation of the subforces or forcing
them To surrender.
1t now seems inevitable but that the
JapaneSe movement will succeed aud
that the entire Russian army will be cut
up. The Russians have lost practically
all their heavy guns, snd their hurried
retreat offers no opportunity for prepar-
ing deienses to meet the japanese attack.
Adyices are being received constantly,
and these indicate that Gen. Nogi has
completed effective juncture with the
forces of General Kuroki oil the east,
thus completing the Gordon. The extent
of the Russian casualties is still in doubt,
but it is known that the losses of guns
and ammunition are enormous. 1t is
impossible to obtain even approximate
figures as to the number of men Kuro-
patkin has lost, but local estimates place
the number of prisoners that have been
taken already at between 20, 900 and
80, 900.
1t is not clear whether General Kuro-
patkin had planned to make stand aud
hold his line north of the Hun river or
whether be retired too late to accom-
plished the concentration of his forces
after withdrawing from that position.
If the japanese forces succeed in bar
ring the retreat by way of Fushun, and
Telling only remnant Of General
Kuropatkinis army can escape.
ST. Petersburg, March ll.-Nine
hundred officers Of the Msnchurian army
have signed round robin addressed to
Gen, Kuropatkin, demanding the con-
clpsion of hostilitles owing to the menace
of famine. The troops are discouraged
as the result of tho chronic failure Of
their efforts.
st. Petersburg, March Livery
effort is being made by the officials to
conceal the enormity of the Russian
disaster from the people. The general
public is not yet aware OF Kuropatkin's
serious position. The officials maintain
confident trout, saying that he will
undoubtedly be able to extricate him
self
With General Oku's Army (Undated).
We captured Sujatou, where the main
Russian supply depot was located, after
a desperate conflict, securing enormous
quantities of supplies, Including 10000
rifles and cartridges.
st. Petersburg, March ll.-Your
correspondent hears rumor which as
yet he has not been able to confirm, that
the Car is considering the summoniug
of special council to consider condi-
tons of peace. The informant states
that this does not necessarily mean that
peace will surely follow, for after taking
the opinion of his advisors, the Ozar
may decide to continue the struggle.
Almost every body that your correspon-
dent meets says that the battle of Muk-
den should end the war, but adds that
as Soon as hostilities end, the govern
ment must prepare to resume the strug-
gle some time In the future. The
general denressinn Is very acute.