The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-22
RUN FOR HARDIN.
Russian Army Has Covered los
Miles of the Distance.
Closely Followed by the YictOri-
GUS and Untiring Japanese.
STOP TO TAKE BREATH
Boom of Cannon Is Still Heard
ON the Right Flank.
KurOpatkin Has Changed Places
With Linevitch.
STOP TO TAKE BREATH

| Gunshu Pass. Tuesday, March 21-The
4 correspondent of the Associated Press
after the removed OF the Russian head
| quarters from Tie Pass, remained with
the rear guard, being some days with
! out Geographic facilities. Extensive
prepare lions to carry out the plan of
retreat were made by Generals Ku-
ropatkin, Linevitch, Bilderrling and
Kaulbars and We're successfully carried
out. On March 10 Kuropatkin consid-
ering that the army was safe, departed
for Hardin, but having subsequently
| decided to remain as commander of the
first army reached here today, receiving
a great ovation at the railroad station
and acknowledging the cheers by a
short speech in which he expressed the
hope that the army would soon be able
to retrieve its reverses.
1t is too early to determine the effect
of the change in the supreme command
but private soldiers have confidence in
the venerable Linevitch. The reorgani-
cation effected at Tie Pass after the
retreat from Nukden incontestibly
marked the end of the second stage OF
the war.
Gunshu Pass, which has a large rail-
road station and Red Cross settlement
with all army facilities is now an enor-
1
let in all directions. Troops are arriy-
ing daily. The advance divisions are
continuing their march northward While
some fresh troops from European Rus
STA are coming south to relieve the
WOTnout rear guard.
The booming of guns on the right
flank was heard all morning.
Pursuit Continues.
Gunshu Pass, Manchuria, los Miles
North of Tie Pass, Monday, March 20
The Russian rear guard is now at Sip
inghai, 20 miles north of Tie Pass. The
Japanese are slowly pursuing but are
not theoretically pressing the rear. APP
parently Field Marshal Oyama is hold
ing his main army at Tie Pass.
When the Russians evacuated Tie
Pass March Is, one span OF the five
span bridge over the Tehai river which
flows into the Lao river just north of
the town was destroyed by dynamite
Immediately after the last train had
been dispatched northward and as the
army moved northWard the bridges of
the railroad were disabled and every
thing in the shape of stores, etc, which
could not be taken was burned.
Some desultory artillery fire was
heard on the extreme right as the re-
treat progressed but the Japanese ap-
peared to be indecisiys, Their pursuit
lacked strength in spite of four days
rest at Tie Pass, which gave the Rus
slams a chance to reform after the hard
ships they had suffered and they took
up the march in orderly fashion, press
ing forward, however, at such a pace
that many horses and cattle in the
transport train were exhausted and left
dying by the roadside. Like an endless
serpent the army trailed over the vast
rolling country moving along during the
day over half a dozen meanderfng roads
parallel with the railroad. At night the
neighboring hillSides were lighted by
dead grass ignited by the camp fires.
Thirty miles were covered the first day.
kaiyuan being left behind March 16
The rear guard evacuated Changtufu,
March 10. Dispatch riders report that
Colonel Madraoff in command of an ir-
regular force in the mountains far east
ward found himself cut off before he
got news of the great battle of Muk-
den and was compelled to retire north
east, probably making his way toward
Kirin.
Uncertain About Oyama.
ST. Petersburg, March 22-1:55 p. M
The retreat of the Russian army, from
the latest reports, evidently is being
conducted in a splendid fashion. In four
days actual marching after leaving Tie
Pass the rear guard has fallen back
seventy miles and the heads of the col
unns are already entering Gunshu pass.
40 miles further north, keeping up with
the Japanese column marching north
over the Grand Trade route. With the
bridges and railroad destroyed behind
the Russians the Japanese are unable
to press the rear and according to in
formation received from the, front it is
believed that the Dulk OF F1elQ AdISnal
Oyama's army is still at Tie Pass, the
thanking column being comparatively
weak. This news may, however, prove
incorrect. For two days there has been
some skirmishing accompanied by ar
tillery exchanges between the Japanese
on the Grand Trade route and the Rus
slams screening the retreat showing that
they are in constant contact.
With the crossing of the Sungari river
at Chantihitu protected, many military
men here believe that General Linevitch
while prepared to withdraw to Hardin
will attempt to hold the line from Khan
changtze to Kirin so as to control the
rich Sungari valley as a source of sup
ply for the army. A japanese advance
to Kirin would be equivalent to the iso-
lation of Vladivostok-
The war office points to the fact that
Linevitch was able to give his troops Il
day of rest as being the best evidence
that complete order has been restored
and that the stories of demoralized
flight are untrue.
The press commends General Kuro-
patkin highly for the fine spirit which
he displayed in returning to the army
the defeated leader is more to be pitied
than blamed. The advocates of a con-
tinuance of the war are encouraged by
the somewhat better outlook for the
Manchurian army, the success of the
internal loan and the announced de-
parture of the squadron commanded by