The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-10
KURoPATKIN IN FIELD
The General IS Personally Directing the
" ''~.~' ~ Operations.

Kuropatkin is in the field personally d.
recting the forward movements Of the
army, which it is understood is divided
into two strong columns moving on
each side Of the railroad whence they
will draw their supplies, their TANKS be-
rons of cossacks. The Russians are
forty and forty five miles extending from
kaou-tou pass to Ben-tsia-putze on the
east and across the Hun river to the
left bank to the Liao river on the west.
I ! ne ns+ are ,;ea taking every precaution
ing up entertainments as they advance
southwark. Field Marshal Oyama,
however, has not yet shown a DISPOSE.
ton to hold strongly his outer positions.
The evacuation Of en-tsia-pu-tze left
the flank of the Japanese position at
the Yen-ta1 mines unprotected and news
OF the abandonment Of the mines is,
therefore, hourly expected.
Japs Hold Strong Position.
The Japanese appear to be concentrate
ing their forces in the Notifications
formerly occupied by the Russians on
the. right bank Of the Tai:tse river,
which are exceedingly strong and
have an equally good defense north and
south.
The Japanese retired from Ben-tsia-
pu-tze almost without a struggle, fear
ing that General Mistchenko s cossacks
would surround the position and cut
them off.
Ben-tsia-put-ze is of the highest i'm
Portance, commanding the roads from
Mukden and Fu-shun to Liao-yang and
Private advices from Mukden Just re-
ceived indicate that the artillery is al
ready at work.
An engagement is reported to have
occurred yesterday on the Russian right
flank, fourteen miles southwest of Muk-
den.
Such news Of the Russian movements
missing the advance is likely. to be tel
egraphed by General Kuropatkin each
evening after the days work in the
field is over. .,...
Has Oyama Changed Plan?
It is now evident that Field Marshal
Oyama, aware. that Kuropatkin is pre-
pairing to strike, instead Of extending
himself for the big fanking movement
east so much talked Of, has recognized
the necessity of meeting the Russian
forth Of Tiao-yane The Interval pVsiI'f bes
tween the eventual collision will doubt
less be utilized by both sides in feeling
out. their respective strength and dis
positions and in active skirmishing in
tanks Of which the daring march of the
cossacks across the Shak-he river, al
most to the Yen-tai mines, is an exam
pie. "
Not until the combined movements of
Kuropatkin' IS army are in full swing
southwark will it be seen whether
Oyama intends to contest the present
advance or fall back on the fortified
positions north Of Liao-yang, where he
would reverse the situation hitherto, as
the Japanese would for the first time
enjoy the advantage Of fighting behind
defenses.
Jap General Has 100000 Men.
According to the estimates Of the
war office, Oyama 8 total strength is
about 5000 men, Of which 10000 are
posted between the Hun river to the
west, and Ben-tsia-pu- tie eastward, the
remainder being held in reserve at Lao
yang. Kuropatkin disposes of nine
corps, giving him perhaps slight supe-
riority in numbers. l.
The Second Army.
Lieutenant General Grippenberg, who
is to command thetIseeond Manchurian
army, will take with him to the front
large portion of the troops Of the