The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-09

| An engagen snt was being fought near u,
imperial tombs. Ten thousand RuHlhn0
attacked Tafangshan. but were rep,lsed
with severe loss. They left many OF tisir
dead on the field. The japanese were 40
crossing with their operations on tho heights
/ five miles west of Mukden. and they wele
also pressing the railway.
It lie reported that there is continvLl
diminishing near Snminting where the
japanese occupation became mure daAn!Io
on "Wednesday. Traders theio are not
allowed TO reship even non-contraband
goods.
KURoPATKIS's CHANCES.
There is abundant speculation and little
else in reference to Gen. Kuropathn's
chances Of withdrawing his army success
fully. Toxic believes it will be impossible
| for him to do so unless unforeseen circum-
stances ARISE, but there 10 nothing reliable
| TO show that the japanese will be able TO
convert the retreat into rout. The pre-
dictions that they viii enyelop and cut OF
the Russians do not seem TO take into ac-
count the undoubtable fact that the Jspa-
nese are as exhausted as their enemy.
There are not wanting critics worthy Of
being listened 70 who point out that Gen
Kuropatkin is not necessarily endangered
at all Mr.. Mcguire, a well known army
tutor and civilian tactician, contends that
! Gen. Kuropatkin is really winning. He is
deliberately retreadng slowly, fighting de-
! tanning actions. the whole series OF which
has ended in accordance with his prede-
termined strategy.
Even II he were surrounded and capt
ured with his entire army at Mukden,
Russia would not be defeated. but would
reorganize her resources as Napoleon did
after Leipsic and the Prssians after Jena
Mr.. Mcguire recalls tho battle OF the Rap
pahannock which it was predicted, marked
the decline and fail Of the United States,
but the war continued for thirty months
after that battle, and the United States has
not yet declined or fallen He says that the
revolution in Russia will not necessarily
stop the war any moro than did the French
Revolution stop Frances war
! A despatch 20 the Times from St Peters-
! burg SAWS that serious news pas received
at Tssrskoe-Selo before noon Wednesday
Gen. kuropatkin reported tn. the Japanese
had massed an enormous force northwest
OF Mukden, necees tating an immediate
retreat II Is feared tina: the Russ ans will
| ~. - ali ;a
three days march north OF Mukden. II the
japanese are able to intercept the Russ an
retreat Gen. Kuropatkin will run the risk
Of being annihilated, His present where
shouts 8 unknown even 10 the general staf,
which continues to profess optimism
Gen. Kuropatkn received considerable
roenforcements a few days ago, which it
was then hoped. would enable him to turn
the tables on the japanese The only hope
now is that these fresh troops will staye
of crushing defeat Of the whole Russian
army by checking Gen oku's attacks on
the TANKS If the retreating army and en-
able it to remove its stores and guns.
The Russian losses during the first ten
DAYS Of tho battle are officially given as
nearly 33,oOo. including $50 officers. Great
admiration is expressed by the General
staff for the japanese tactics.
The Paris correspondent Of the Tines
saws that on Tuesday Russia give an order
to a French contractor for $1,000 three inch
shrapnel shells, making it a condition that
they be provided by a French firm. Tho
cases will he made at Birmingham. England
and will be filed in France This is part
of an order for 10000 shells. They will be
forwarded across Germany without being
examined by the German customs.
THE OFFICIAL IMPORTS
WASHINGTON March s-Thc following
c7olezram vas received Of the japanese
Legation to-day, dated Toxic. March s.
In the direction Of Hingking our detach-
nent on the sih,of March occupied Suaijen
fifty miles southeast Of Hingkln 8; other
wise situation unchanged In the direc-
ton Of Shsho. in the district east Of rail-
wav. enemy's attacks on the morning Of
the 7th Of March on some Of our positions
we're everywhere repulssd. In the dis
trict west Of the railway our army occu-
pied the eastern part Of Harchengpao, and
the enemy's Subsequent attempt to re-
store it wss repulsed a'so'
On the right hank Of Hunho zee occupied
large part Of Dkusnrao, whereupon the
enemy's force, about one division strong
delivered counter attacks, hut was re-
pulsed.
This oabegram was received later
our detachment which he'd been en-
gazing the eremys strong forces near
Machuntan dislodeed them from their posi-
tons on the morning Of MSron and vas
pursuing them norihward.
KIROPiTkTN ~ I BiD IN.