The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-11

the interests of peace the present tattle
in Manchuria would be decisive. There is
a difference of opinion among the military
experts in Washington as 10 whether huro-
ratkin can get out Of his present pedica-
/ ment by retreating TO Tie Pass
The stories that tie Japanese have gone
I to the northeast Of Mukden "A far IA Tie
Pass which Is to h come the centre OF fight
ing if Kuroratkiu con make his way back
TO that point. are discredited by many Off
CEN here The distance between Mukden
and Tie Pass. more than thirty miles, makes
II seem to army officers that the japanese
have not reached there in large numbers.
But if they have forced their way in strength
10 the vicinity Of Tie Pass. Kuropatkin's
situation is eXtr mely precarous
The army men here have great faith in
kuropatkin's strategic abilities and are
Inclined to believe that he will be able to
beat a retreat that will bring out at leaS
portion OF his great army in good shape,
and ready to establish a strong position at
Tie Pass His retreat from Linoyang is
cited as an evidence of his ability TO get
away from serious situations. From the
reports army men think that kurppatkn
will retreat in tine direction OF Tie Pass,
projecting IOe fullIbdu IL IeSt ne VAL
Kuropatk.n's lack of re nforcements for
the past week or two, as reported in the
press d.spatches, IL regarded as serious
phase of his situation and one Of the reasons
for his defeat The loss Of stores which
has been reported is cons dered, however,
one of the most serious blows to the Russian
General chances of maintaining good
retreat and getting out of hi. present fix
with even a semblance OF safety
The success, OF the japanese arms is
re garded as due to their system and tho
Russians lack of system. Both sides
have fought with great bravery, said one
officer of the army who il an authority
on strategic questions. 'but the japanese
have had the better system and the better
leadership Oyama, NoRi Nodzu and
kuroki are great leaders Kuropatkin, too,
is a great soldier, but practically his only
able aide is S,ackelberg. kuropathn was
able to get out of Liaoyang when every one
thought that he vas caught, and IA far
ns can see from what information | have
there IL no reason why he should not escape
now The most serious question Is that
Of stores The reports say that he has
lost nearly everything at Mukdon. If this
is true the situation is indeed serious Tor
him. but | do not think that he had any
great amount Of stores az Mukden, He
probably brought but little down from
Hardin and he undoubtedly saw what was
likely TO happen to his army,
1T is g very hard thing to scy what the
moral efTelt will be upon the Eussisns
on account Of the present defeat, Russia
has suffered defeats in other wars, but
kept on fighting In the Crimean war and
in the war with Turkey it was the same.
Russia suffered defeat after defeat. but al
ways kept on fighting OF course conditions
We're different then than they are now,
No man could safely prognosti,ate what
eject big defeat would have on the in
ternal Affairs Of Russia, and il would be
foolish TO try Everything j. sombre IN
Russia; people do not even dare to smile
Official Washington is keeping an eX-
tremely close watch on the situation in the
Far East and any indication that peace Z
i, nearer Is eagerly watched for In the
face OF recent statements from Russia
that the war would not cease for a long 1
time TO come there is little hope here that /
the present reverse Of Kuropatlun VIII
have any effect on the Russian policy