The reasons for General Kuropatkin's inactivity are variously stated. According
to one set of observers, he clings to his plan, which Admiral Alexeieff overruled, of retreating to Kharbin, and there awaiting in a great fortified position the advance of the Japanese. According to another set, he is daily receiving large reinforcements, and hopes eventually to crush his enemies by sheer weight of numbers. And according to a third, he has not, and never has had, an adequate force at his disposal, the numbers originally attributed to the Russians beyond Lake Baikal being imaginary, while the single line of rail- way is overburdened by the transport of commissariat and munitions. Tens of thousands of soldiers are despatched from Russia proper—with some difficulty, for the Reservists are refractory—but they do not arrive, being, so to speak, "shed" at the stations along the endless line. It is simply impossible to ascertain the exact truth, but it will be revealed by the first great engagement.
