The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-20
dostlIities Are Suspended.

St. Petersburg, October 2-(2:25 a. m.)- for the moment heavy rains and impas- sable roads have compelled a suspension of operations in Manchuria. There was little fighting yesterday, and none what ever last night. There is evidence of a new disposition of the forces on both sides. General Kuropatkin is extending his right, whether with view to a turn ing movement for the safety of Lone Tree Hill, the importance of which Is fully realized by the Japanese, who have attempted to retake it in two night at tacks, or whether to meet and thwart a Japanese turning movement from the west, has not yet developed.
 The Japanese also appear to be shift ing weight to the vest
 Yelled hints continue to arrive that the Russians have recovered from the blow inflicted last week by Field Marshal Oya- ma and that General Kuropatkin is pre- pairing to renew the struggle so soon as the roads become dry. Two Associated Press dispatches from Mukden tonight mention reports that the Japanese are already preparing to retire, and the war office admits that Kuropatkin's left has
  is no light upon the movement of the Japanese The late news from To1io is that Oyama may be preparing surprise movement instead of retreat, relieving the pressure on the front with a view to accomplishing something on the flank. Many critics continue to believe that General Kuropatkin intends to return to the Hun river.
 Gives Both Armies Breath.
 If the Japanese offensive movement had really exhausted itself it gives both ar mics time to breathe and pull themselves together. and would seem to induce as much benefit to one side as to the other for practical purposes. When operations recommence they will assume an entirely new phase with new dispositions and ob- jectives. Last weeks battle has ended, and it goes into history as a Russian de- feat. When operations are resumed a new battle will begin.
 The reappearance of Viceroy Alexieff at Mukden today for a conference is not particularly reassuring, as such confer ences in the past have not been fruitful of success.
 The movement of troops on the Euro pean- Russian western frontier and the preparations to reduce garrisons in this region revive talk of complete under standing with Germany, under which the frontier will be protected, so as to permit the dispatch to Manchuria of troops sta tioned in Poland.
 There are about eOO,OOO soldiers in Po- land some of the best troops in the em- pire. It is already known that all of three corps in the Wilma government would be included in General Grippen- berg's army, but as those troops are in- cluded as what is known as Russia $ third line of defence, the fact has not att tracted much attention. It now develops that the rifle brigade at Poltsk in the government of Tschenstoehova, directly on the frontier is mobiizing.
 Not Committed to Writing.
 In the best informed diplomatic circles it is believed that nothing in the shape of q treaty between Russia and Germany has been committed to writing, but that there is simply mutual understanding between the two sovereigns covering this point, and some believe going much fur ther So far as the present war is con oerned, there is no evidence that the sup posed agreement covers active aid as such an agreement would render operative the Anglo-Japanese alliance. It is thought, however, in diplomatic quarters that there is something in the nature of a pledge the part of the emperor of Ger many to protect Russia's western from tier.
 It Is now recalled as significant of the deep personal friendship of the two en- perors that when Emperor William was about to undergo an operation last year, he commended his eldest son to the hands of Emperor Nicholas. This fact was men, tioned at the time in the Official Messen- ger, but did not attract as much atten- ton as it is now receiving.