New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-12

st. Petersburg. March IA dispatch from
General Kuropatkin. timed 6 p. M, March 10.
says:
The retreat of the army was very dangerous
and especially trying for those corps wnlch
were some distance from the Mandarin Road
The Japanese penetrated far into the noun
tains in the direction of Tswan. They threat
ened our troops, but, thanks 60 extraordinary
efforts, armies are out OF danger
The enemy cannonaded the route OF our re-
treat from the east and west. The Eastern
Mandarin Road was bombarded at two points
near Tawan and the Pu River.
Our troops are very brave.
The reason the Japanese advanced so easily
from the south is that the Hun River which
covered our position at Moukden. was frozen
over.
at the front.
It is reported in the military clubs this even
ing that General Kuroqatkin has lost 300 guns
and about Ga00O prisoners, besides about the
same number of killed or wounded.
The dispatch received by Emperor Nicholas
from General Kuropatkin last night. in addi-
ton to announcing that the Russian armies
were in danger, added:
The Second Army under BiIderling. has suf-
fered the heaviest in killed. wounded and prison
ers How many are surrounded is unknown
Tie Pass. March II. p m.-For many versts
all the approaches TO Tie Pass are covered with
troops artillery aud baggage transports press
ing northward, and twenty five miles away the
strong rear guard of troops. which is personally
commanded by General Kuropatkin. is retiring
slowly. doggedly disputing with the pursuing
enemy every foot of ground IN order to cover
the retreat of the remainder of the army.
The losses in this defeat. which is the most
bitter vet experienced by the Russian army. by
moderate computation are not less than 100000
men on both sides.
The Russians. in addition sacrificed enormous
quantities Of munitions and stores the greater
mart of which were set on fire before leaving
Moukden.
II is impossible to say whether the Russians
will be able to hold this position whether it
will he necessary to continue the retreat to
Harbin. but the rank and file. whose military
qualities never shine so brightly as in defeat
are far from being panc-stricken. and, under
capable leadership and with a brief time to
strengthen positions. may be able to check the
pursuing enemy at this point.
The order 10 abandon Moukden and retreat to
the Tie Pass position given at o'clock on
the evening of March o. At dawn of that day
the Russians held a line on the Hun River from
point ten miles east of Fu-Shun to Ma-Dya-Pu.
the west front extending TO a point six miles
north of Moukden station the line of battle in
general running parallel with the railway four
or five miles distant.
terrible dust storm ragged and tension had
reached its extreme limit. 1t was realized If
INV point of the Russian line gave way all
would be lost.
The position in the most extreme danger ap-
neared 70 he north of Moukden Station. where
it seemed for a time that the Japanese might
break through and entirely cut the lines Of re-
treat General Kuropatkin concentrated heavy
columns there. took command himself, and sue
,eeded on Thursday morning in forcing the
1oDanese back from the railroad and also in
lrivinr ont bodies of Japanese east of the line,
The nanceuvre appeared to point to success
when suddenly news arrived that the Japanese
had broken through between the slender First
md Fourth Army corps, taking advantage OF
be hurricane. which was blowing clouds OF
Inst into the faces of the Russians. TO deliver
m attack which the Russians were not pre-
Jared to meet.
II was impossible TO support the retiring
,orps as the reserves to the last man had been
ent TO the line of battle at other points. and as
he danger of the communications being severed
" this attack from the east was Imminent, re-
reat was determined on and Immediately be
,un.
The four principal roads leading northward
oward Tie Pass We're completely occupied by
continuous file of artillery and transport and
he retreating army blackened the country be-
ween the highways.
Before beginning the retreat all the depots.
torres, military buildings and everything that
would be of service TO the japanese was set ON
re large amount of baggage and many
uns were abandoned. All rolling stock belong
ne to the main railroad was brought away. and 1
ot a single car or locomotive was left at Mouk. /
en-. though some cars belonging to the military
Bohns Lsxatiyes keep the human machine in per-