Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-10-20
A COLUMN CUT OFF.
Disaster to Russian Troops Who
Crossed the Taitse River. D."
The JAPS APPEAR TO Be GAINING.


Toxic, Oct. 13.-Field Marshal
oyama, telegraphing from the field
yesterday, says that operations are
progressing favorably. Field Marshal
Oyama has met Gen. Kuropatkins ad-
vance with a general advance of the
main strength of his force along the
broad front. 1t is believed that a great
battle south of the Hun river is in
evitable. Besides this direct move
ment the Russians are attempting to
strike the Japanese right at two points
widely separated.
A considerable force Of Russians
which was sent across the Taitse
river, So miles east of Lao Yang, has
apparently been isolated by the Japa-
nese cutting its rear and the report Of
its defeat Of capture is expected.
Mukden, Oct. 13.-Stubborn fighting
is still in progress, being the third day
of the engagement. 1t is impossible
at this time to say what has been &C.
complished. Hospital trains are con-
tinually arriving from the south. The
wounded are being sent further north.
A dressing station has been established
on the railway platform here, where
nurses and surgeons give prompt at
tention to the most urgent cases be-
fore the trains proceed
The condition of Japanese wounded
from along the railway, who were sent
by the Red Cross to Mukden. and Of
other prisoners taken shows that part
OF the Japanese troops are inadequate
Iy clothed for the present cold weather.
Along the battle line some of the Chi
nese have built bomb-proofs, from the
protection of which they are gathering
crops between the cannonading. Other |
Chinese are moving their effects here
and there amidst the ruthless waste Of |
their grain and other property by the
contending armies.
Russian dragons have captured
copy Of message from the emperor Of
Japan to his troops in which the
mikado says he is still awaiting the
decisive defeat of the Russians. 1t is
apparent from this intelligence that the
Japanese are equally prepared for i'm
portant events.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 13.-While 1t is
now asserted that Gen. Kuropatkin en-
joys considerable numerical supe-
riority, the main fear expressed Is that
this superiority is insufficient to enable
him to carry out the big operations he
has undertaken. Apprehension is
caused by the Toxic dispatch saying
that Field Marshal Oyama reports that
he is gaining ground and has cut off
a Russian column below the Taitse
river. 1t is only natural after the re-
peated reverses already suffered that
Russians fully realize how much Gen.
Kuropatkin has staked on the assump-
ton Of the offensive. The battle now
in progress undoubtedly will outweigh
In Importance the hard fight at Lao
Yang. For Kuropatkin victory, partial
Or complete, Is necessary. Defeat
would certainly spell ruin for his mill
tary reputation and probably prove a
disaster of the first magnitude to the
Russian army. If the Japanese should
roll up Kuropatkin's advance now, all s
hope Of an aggressive Russian success {
IN this campaign or Of relief of Port 7
Arthur would be ended probably for d
his year, but Russian success now Y
means a winter campaign and i'm a
nense enhanced prestige. not only for
personally, but for the Rus 9
'ian arms in Manchurla, in the eyes q
II the Chinese, which is an important q
actor In the present situation. n