New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-13
THE PURSUIT CEASING.
Russians May Not Hold Tie Pass
The DisorderIy Retreat.

Tie Pass, March u, noon.-The japanese, 1t
Is reported. have ceased their pursuit, at least
temporarily. Some of the Japanese are twenty
five miles below Tie Pass. A resumption of
their advance IS expected. RuThors are in cir
culation that the japanese already are attempt
ing another wide turning movement TO drive
the Russians from Tie Pass.
The Russian troops here have been arriving
with hopeessly mixed units in consequence of
the change in the front The troops are being
sorted out and organizations reformed and as
signed TO places TO defend the new positions.
hut whether Tie Pass will be held or abandoned
probably VIII not be decided for several days.
It is still too early to tell the extent Of the
Russian defeat. because not all the parts of the
army have been assembled and the losses in the
Yretreat are no small portion of the casualties.
TIP TO the time of the beginning OF the retreat 1t
IS probable the japanese losses were heavier
than those OF the Russians and at the time the
Japanese broke through Flu Pass the Russians
appeared TO be holding their own and even
igaining little. Preparations were then being
t7nade 20 launch counterstroke.
The Japanese success was largely aided by the
weather conditions, which enabled them to ap-
:proach unobserved, but it was chiefly due to the
failure of some Of the organizations the left
flank III the retirement from the Shakhe to
cupy the positions marked out for them. The
iJapanese quickly discovered the intervals, scout
'ang columns having followed the retreat closely
A heavy column which had been held in
serve was quickly directed into the breach and
burst asunder the Russian line, rendering
tfreat imperative. The wonder is that the retreat
did not degenerate into panicky flight.
In consequence Of the rapid change Of front
fforced by the western attack, the units OF the
tarmy had become inextricaby confused. Bat
Ifalions were not in their proper regiments. regi
1nents were not IN their own divisions and divi-
lxions were not In the corps TO which they prop
Ierly belonged.
It is easily to comprehend that the forced
lretrement became disordered to extent by
the unexpected fire of small detachment of
rJapanese. probably not than two squad
rons of a mountain battery. which had slipped
rfar inside the Russian lines and opened on the
lretreating transport. This caused temporary
panic which was chiefly confined, however, to
the drivers and some artillerymen, whose nerves
had been weakened by the strain Of the twelve
days battle. who cut the traces and abandoned
f. their wagons and guns Further detachments OF
the army. however. came up and a portion OF
the wagons and guns were saved.
In the retreat of the First Army General
Rennenkampf. on whose corps fell the brunt OF
the fighting in the Tsinkhetchen operations, is
.reported to have displayed brilliant generalship
causing considerable loss TO the pursuing Jap.
anese
The decision Of General Kuropatkin to offer
battle on the Shskhe taken against his owr
best Judgment. He had been constantly
blamed. both in army circles and at home fol-
operating without decision and the demand thai
ne take the initiative and abandon the policy
! of retirement was voiced on all sides II an.
pears that General Kuropatkin yielded to this
opinion, which was that of many of his prin
cipsl generals, and decided to give battle, there