The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-10-21
lMPAssAeLE ROADS COMPEL A
SUSPENSION OF FIGHTING.
ARE CHANGING THEIR LINES
The Secret Understanding Between
Emperor William and the Gear
Discussed.

St Petersburg, Oct. 20, 2:O5 a. NJ
For the moment heavy rains and i'm
passable roads have compelled a sus-
pension of operations in Mahchuria.
There was practically no fighting yes
terday and none whatever last night
Changing Their Lines.
There is evidence Of a new disposi-
tion of the forces on both sides. Gen
eral Kuropatkin is extending his right,
whether with a view to a turning
movement or for the safety OF Lone
Tree hill, the Importance of which
point is fully realized by the Japan
ese, who have attempted to retake 1t
in two night attacks, or whether to
meet and thwart Japanese turning
movement from the west, has not yet
developed.
To Renew Struggle.
The Japanese appear to be shifting
weight to the westward. Yelled hints
continue to arrive that the Russians
have recovered from the blow infiict-
ed last week by Field Marshal Oyama
and that General Kuropatkin is pre-
pairing to renew the struggle as soon
as the roads become dry.
Two Associated Press dispatches
from Mukden tonight mention reports
that the Japanese already are prepar-
ing to retire, and the war Office ad-
mitsssthat Kuropatkin's left has again
moved slightly forward, but there is
no light upon the movements OF the
japanese.
There is indeed an utter lack OF late
news from Toxic, and an enemy so re-
sourceful may really be preparing a
surprise movement, instead OF retreat,
relieving the pressure on the front
with a view to accomplishing some
thing on the flank.
Many critics here continue to be-
lieve that General Kuropatkin intends
to return to the line of the Hun river.
A Breathing Spell.
The enforced cessation OF opera
tions by the bad weather, it the jap
anese offensive had really exhausted
itself, gives both armies time to
breathe and time to pull themselves
together and would seem to insure
as much benefit to one side as to the
other, for practical purposes.
Will Assume New Phase.
When operations recommence they
will assume an entirely new phase,
with new dispositions and objectives.
Practically last weeks battle has end
ed, and it goes into history as Rus
sian defeat. When operations are re-
sumed a new battle will begin.
The movement of troops on the Rus
sian western frontier, and the prepa-
rations to further reduce garrisons in
this region revive talk of a complete
understanding with Germany under
which the frontier will be protected
so as to permit of the. dispatch to
Manchuria of troops stationed in Po-
land.
Germany and Russia.
There are about 100000 soldiers in
Poland, comprising some of the best
troops in the empire. In the best in
formed diplomatic circles it is be-
lieved that nothing in the shape OF a
treaty between Russian and Germany
i.as been committed to writing, but
mere is simply mutual personal un-
s.erstanding between the two sover-
eigns covering this point and some be-
lieve, going much further. So far as
the present war is concerned there is
no evidence that the supposed agree
ment covers active aid, as such an
agreement would render operative
the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
Friendship Of the Emperors.
1t is thought, however, in diplomatic
quarters, that there is something in
the nature of q pledge on the part OF
the emperor of Germany to protect
Russia's western frontier. 1t is now
recalled as significant of the deep per-
sonal friendship of the two emperors
that when Emperor William was
aDout to undergo an operation last
year, he commended his eldest son to