Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-08-11
CRUCIAL HOUR NEAR
laps Declare Kuropatkin Can No
Longer Evade a Fight.
Has SACRIFICED HIS PRESTIGE.


Toxic, Aug. Seen. Kuropatkin's
success in extricating his army from
the Lao Tung peninsula without dis
aster has ELECTED much praise from
the Japanese. The concentrating OF
his army at Kaichou at one time
seemed certain to involve 1t in disaster.
1t Is considered here that Kuropatkin
sacrificed his prestige by abandoning
an immense territory without a battle.
He was forced to abandon or destroy
valuable stores and munitions Of war
when the transportation was almost
the most serious problem to the Rus
SLAMS. He also impaired the morale
Of his army, but he preserved his men
and guns. The unexpected loss of the
Russian left at Tatchekiao and the ap-
pearance of the Japanese Takushan
army on the flank forced the abandon
ment and surrender, without a fight,
Of Yinkow, Haicheng and New
Chwang. 1t is generally believed that
the crisis will come shortly at Lao
Yang and that Kuropatkin will be
froced to give battle, whatever his
present purpose may be. Gen. Oku's
and the Takushan armies are pressing
~northward and Gen. Kuroki Is close
at hand, ready to take any part neces-
sary in the general Japanese play.
The possession of Yinkow (the port
Of New Chwang) has enormously sim
plifed the transportation problem for
the Japanese. 1t gives their two
armies a freedom of movement which
they have heretofore not possessed.
st. Petersburg, Aug. ga telegram
from Chefoo dated August 7 says that
according to Chinese information a
fierce battle was fought on the land
side of Port Arthur August 5. The
Japanese are reported to have been re-
pulsed with great loss, the killed alone
being estimated at 10000, while the
Russian loss was about 1000. The
telegram says Lieut.. Gen Stoessel was
personally in command and that the
conduct of the Russian troops was
splendid.
Lieut.. Gen. Stoessel, commanding
the Russian military forces at Port
Arthur, in an undated dispatch to the
emperor says: 81 Am happy to report
that the troops repulsed all the jap
anese attacks Of July 26, 81 and 20
with enormous losses. The g~arrison's
enthusiasm was extraordinary. The
fleet assisted In the defense by bonn
harding the Japanese flank. Our losses
during the three days fighting were
about 1900 and 40 officers killed or
wounded. According to statements Of
Chinese and prisoners the Japanese
lost as many as 10000. Their losses
were so great that the enemy has not
had time to remove the dead and
wounded"
Lao Yang. Aug. s.-The Japanese
are advancing on Mukden and II is
probable that a simultaneous attack
will be made on Mukden and LiAo
Yang, in which case a decisive battle
10 assured.
London, Aug. 8.-The Times CORE
spondent at Toxic, under date Of Au-
gust Z, says that there are unofficial re-
ports there that the japanese have
captured commanding positions north
and northeast of Port Arthur at a dis
lance Of 1850 yards from the main line
Of Russian d~efenses.
Constantinople. Aug. S.-The porte
has practically accepted the verbal no.
tihcation made by the Russian ambas-
NJ. Zinavief, OF the impending
passage Of the Dardanelles by some
vessels Of the volunteer feet laden with
coal. This notification was accompa-
MED By assurances that the vessels
would preserve the character Of mer-
chairman throughout the voyage.
Chefoo. Aug. S-The japanese force
which captured VOLTS hill is now In
trenched IN the valley about tvo-thirds
n q mus from the fortress at Port