Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-29
GEN. LINEVlTCH REGRETS
The Order to Retreat from Mukden
Which He Regarded Unnecessary.

GunSnu Pass. Manchuria, April 2S.-
General Lnevitch granted an interview
to The Associated Press at his hcadq1,ar-
ters here. today, in the course of which
he expressed himself satisfied with the
condition of the Russian army and its
readiness to assume the Offensive.
He manifested emphatic regret for the
recall from Mukden, emphasizing his
words with n blow upon the camp table
before him, exclaimng:
Il would certainly not have retreated.
I realize that it is easy now to pass indg-
nent upon accomplished failures; but
nevertheless. | repeat. / would not have
retreat5d. I persuaded Kuropatkin to
stand ut Tie Pass and we halted there
for time. We could have renamed, but
on account of certain administrative fac
tors he considered it inexpedient and the
retirement was continued. After assun-
ing command I gave the men DAYS rest.
The Japanese did not press us and could
not do so, as their condition was quite
as bad as ours. AS for that unfortunate
retirement itself, any observer can con-
vince himself that its significance. and
especially.its Influence upon. the army. has
been industriously and greatly exagger-
ated by the japanese and the foreign
press. The retreat was in no sense in
the nature of complete rout. proof OF
which is evident i'm the fact that in less
than a month after the retreat the two
armies which were thrown into confusion
by the Japanese had been consolidated
and fully reorg1nzed The first army
did not require this, having retired in or
der"
General Linevuch attributes the greater
success of the first army during tho re
treat to the relatively more advantageous
position in which it was located He ad-
mitt"d that there We're heavy losses in
both men and material during the retire
ment. and especially to the wagon trains:
but he declared that this also was eXag-
ecrated. Touching the brcal-inc through?
Of the japanese at the Hun river. March
o. General LineVitch said he did not, nor
does he now attach real significance to it.
believing that this force was not greater
than two companies Of scouts or smell
bodies of cavalry. and he believes that
the report that the Japanese artillery
was in action east of the great Mandarin
road. March 10. was based on miscalcula-
ton.
General J.inevitch also discussed the
Griponburg incident. taking the part of
General Kuropatkin against his former
subordinate. and finished with an express
sion of good will towards the press in TIL.
present war.
After an expression of regret that so
much harm had been done before he was
uivcD q cloud If 1rI-
| cned the rugged. energetic face Of tho
venerable general. and he twice repeat
ed: Eyes. it is n sad inheritance
In the last fortnight. the Russian army
OF the right. left and center has advanced
beyond the Sipinghai position. and the
Russian vanguard posts are now in the
form of ar inverted crescent the left horn
of which is considerably in tho rear of
Changtufu. which the japanese hold and
which is strongly fortified The Japan
| ese are now cXerting n pressure against
| the Russian advance. On account of the
| nature of the country ard the position
of the opposing armies. it is impossible
to effect "Reminiscences by small parties
of scouts. and work of this nature must
| nc done by considerable dotachments. Of
vice being practically reconnaissance in
force. These "Reminiscences do not show
| at the present moment a Japanese turn
| ing movement in the direction Of Kirin
| hur it is impossible to say what may be
| taking place along the eastward roads
from Korea and the Yalu territory. The
country there. however. is exceedingly
mountainous and difficult for military OPP
| erations and it is thought that the roads
| are impracticable for troops with artil-
lerv trains.
| The Japanese are actively fortifying
| around Naiyuan and the line of japanese
deferces appears to be approximately in
| the vicinity of the villages of Shahedzi
and Syasouske and the valley of Kaokhc
| Prince Hilkoff. the minister of railways.
| has arrived here.