PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 64, 13 September 1904, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Contradictory as are tho despatches relating to My* progress of tho Munchurian campaign published to-day, they go to show that Kuropatkiu has found present safety with 'his main force north of Mukden On his way to Thieling, whilo his pursuora appear to have made pauso for concentration. Oyama advised Tokio ou Friday that tho main force of the llussiuus appeared to have retired north of the Hun Eiver, which crosses tho railway about three miles south of Mukden. Some positions aro given, but unfortunately we cannot locato the places named on the plans at our disposal. A London incbsago despatched yebU-rday status that Kuroki had occupied a hill east of the town, and at St. Petersburg it is considered certain that tho Japanese aro advanoing north-east of Mukden. On (ho other hand, a mu&sage of this morning says that the Russians continue to retire towards Thieling, whilo the Japanese advance slowly, their main force being reEortod as at Yentai. On top of this 1 wo aye Burleigh telegraphing on the Bth inst. (last Thursday) that Kuroki had drawn in his urmy, and was then encamped five miles north-east of Liaoyang. It is impossible to reconcile bhese coallicting statements. From a hill east of Mukden to fivo miles north-east of Liaoyang is, as the crow flies, 42 miles. Conundrum : Where is Kuroki ? Where, also, is Oko, and what has become of the great northern turning movement? And if Kuropatkin has passed north of Mukden and is out of the- toils for the time being, how comes it that Oyama, instead of occupying that ancient and populous city and thrilling all China, has fallen back to five miles from Liaoyang? Tho truth probably is that tho pursuing army is thoroughly exhausted, and that nil available forces were during the many days of strenuous fighting brought to tho front. Tired nature must have her way, and rest is indispensable. But why Kuroki should draw in his army from near Mukden to Liaoyang is to us unintelligible. Heavy Russian reinforcements from Kharbin might account for a retrograde moccment of 42 miles, or certainty of tho approach of the Russian General Linevitch M'ith his alleged army from tho north-east, but there is no evidence of either event being in the region of probability. Between defective maps nnd contradictory telegrams it is impossible to define tho present actual positions of any of the forces engaged. If tho Japoneso are falling back on Yentai and Liaoyang it may of course bo that their transport has been unequal to tho strain, and organisation of communications, commisariat, and the rest has become a necessity boforo advancing further from the base of operations. Anyway, those of our loaders who are sufficiently interested can indulge in their own speculations. The' rains continuo, and tho railway from Hharbin is proving insufficient to supply Kuropatkin's army. In this respect the Japanese have now a groat advantage, since they can draw their supplies from the seaboard at the Y«lu and from Niuohwang, while with Mukden in their possession the Liao River will prove yet a third highway. The Russians are said w> be much demoralised, and a sinister story couics irom Liaoyang of Japanese soldiers gotting out of hand and murdering a distinguished Scotch minister. Bennot Bnrleigh has at last abandoned his post as correspondent of the Telegraph with the Japanese army. He cays that military attaches and correspondents are not pormitted to see tho fighting nearer than sis miles, and that the general staff dislike and distrust all foreigners. Wo fnncy the Japs have done well to muzzle the correspondents, and that nnd Lord Kitchener in the Transvaal the power of an Oyama we should have learned as little of that

campaign as we do to-day of the atrugglo in Manchuria. Advice? from Port Arthur seem to show tlmt the garrison is nenring the end of its store of powder and projectiles. Since Nogi could not take the place in time to reinforce the armies of the north lie may not think it worth while to incur the cost of a, great assault when he can avoid it by waiting and "arrive" in the end. Tho Baltic Fleet has sailed from Kronsiadt "nominally" for tho Far EasC. If actually, its departure will hasten tho fall of Port Arthur, so thivt Togo may be free to accord the new arrivals a fitting welcome.