Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-21
Russians and Japanese Trying
TO Test Strength of Each
Others Positions
EXPECT HEAVY BATTLE SOON
Russians Think It Will Be Some Time
Vet Before the Japs Will Make An
ether Attack, But Toxic Advices In
dicate Preparations Are About Com
pIsted.

St Petersburg, Sept. 21.--While the
war Offices advices do not indicate
that Oyama's armies have yet resumed
their forward movement, advance de-
tachments of the Japanese are feel
Ing out the strength and disposition
Of the Russian forces and the Japan-
0se flanking columns are already
pressing northward. Reports that a
battle at Mukden is imminent are,
however, regarded as premature. All
that seems to be definitely established
1s that Oyan1a Is again essaying to
flank Kuropatkin from the east. His
advance forces are seeking to obtain
command Of the roads leading twenty
10 thirty miles east Of Mukden. Yes
terday they attempted to seize Da
Pass on the road to Fushun in order to
turn the Russians left, but they We're
repulsed. Inaddition to two Russian
corps already mobflizing, seven other
corps are to be called to the colors.
Reports that Kuroki had crossed the
Hun river at Fushun turns out to be
false. The Russians strongly hold
the road to Fushun and Bentsiaputze,
and 1t is pointed out that If the Jap
allese had occupied Fushun, the Rus
SLAMS would have been compelled to
evacuate Mukden, since Fushun is
nearest to Tie Pass.
Toxic, Sept. 21.The impression is
growing generally that an engagement
will soon take place at Mukden. Ku-7
ropatkin is evidently preparing to make
q determined resistance to any attempt
TO dispossess him and is entrenching
and constructing defenses. He has an
immense force available. but the opin-
ION is expressed that Tie Pass would be
q more favorable location for the de-
Tense. The Russians, however, are un
willing to suffer the loss of prestige
which would be involved by abandon
ment of Mukden. Both armies are now
rested. having recovered from the ef-
fects of the fight at Lao Yang. They
ar. in condition to fight and the
weather is favorable ror military oper-
Japanese are speedily restoring the
railway. The army is now forwarding
the rolling stock with captured cars
and engines and with the Lao river
open the task of transporting men and
supplies to advanced base operations at
Liao Yang is simple.
There is much speculation now as to
the extent of the fall and winter cam
paign. 1t is generally thought Oyama
will continue pressing Kuropatkin back
unsil the winter falls and will then
strongly guard his advance line until
spring. The Japanese carried on an agI
gressive campaign against the Chinese
during the winter. but conditions are
different in this war.
Renewal of the attack upon Port Ar
thur on newer and more aggressive
lines is expected this week and it is
predicted the reduction of that fortress
will be accomplished within ten days
or d fortnight.
The spoils taken at Liao Yang con-
tinue to grow. Kuroki reports the cap
ture of four miles of railway rails and
two hundred tons of coal. A telegram
received today from military head
quarters in Manchuria says portions of
the Russian troops engaged in recon
oissance while returning from Ping
Taitsze continued in touch with the
Japanese lines along Mukden and Fun
su roads on September 1s. There was
no fighting.