The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-11
Toxic Reports That Russian
Advance Has Been Checked.
ALONG ENTIRE LINE.
VanguardS of the Two Armies
Are Within GunShot.
The Japanese Have Been Re-
Enforced by 700 Men.
One OF the Mikado's GunbOats
Sunk at Port Arthur.

Nunk at IOtL ArL0urs
Dispatches from both Russian and
Japanese sources today leave little
doubt that the armies of Oyama and
Kuropat tkin are now closely engaged
but neither the extent nor the exact
location of the battle is known. Toxic
hears that the Russians have crossed
the Hun river in force and are aggres-
sively attacking the Japanese. The
same dispatch says that the Japanese
recaptured a position previously taken
by the Russians but the name of the
place is not given. Toxic also reports
that the Russian advance was checked
and that the losses on both sides have
been heavy.
st. Petersburg reports that Oyama's
front has been rapidly narrowing dur
ing the past few days, under pressure
of the Russian advance and that his
entire force is now north of the Taitse
river, covering front not exceeding 20
miles. The point of the Japanese con-
centration is not definitely known be-
yond the general statement that their
line stretches from the Yentai mines
westward to the railway. Toxic Off
ciaIly announces the loss of the ar
mored gunboat Hei Yen which struck a
mine off Pigeon bay on the night Of
September IS, foundering with nearly
her entire complement of 300 men.
Toxic, Oct. 11-4 P. Mt IS report
ed that the Russians have crossed the
Hun river in heavy force and are ag-
gressively attacking the Japanese
forces which were moving northward.
A general engagement is said to be in
progress.
St.Petersburg, Oct. 11.-General Kur-
opatkin has telegraphed to the emper-
or that the Russian vanguard is now in
contact with the Japanese who are
within gunshot- The scouts are sktr-
mishing along the entire line.
A Period of Anxiety.
St Petersburg, Oct. 11.-12:45 p. M
"A period of anxiety is ahead. The
Russian public has been warned that
now the tables are turned ana the
Russian army is advancing they can
not expect news which might reveal
General Kuropatkin's plans to the
japanese and the people will have to
be content with meagre information
concerning what has actually been ac--
complished until the impending battle
is in full swing. The same retfcence
chara cterized the Japanese offensive
and the latter being now on the
defensive, will probably furnish the
world with more information OF the
Russian movements than can be ex-
pected from the Russian side.
With the curtain drawn on the war
stage many wild rumors may be ex-
pected. While the general staff inti-
mates that Kuropatkin is advancing
cautiously and entrenching as he goes,
most of the military critics hold the
opinion that his greatest chance of sue
cess is a quick smash at the Jap
anese positions north of the Taitse riv-
er which would drive the Japanese
in confusion back upon the river be-
fore they had a chance to prepare for
their withdrawal.
AS Kuropatkin's order of the day
was not given out until seven days
after the advance it would not be sur
prising if heavy fighting was already
in progress. Indeed. the latest news
paper dispatches say that an artillery
duel lasted throughout Sunday on the
center and right flank and that the
Japanese arc everywhere retiring be-
fore the Russian advance.
The statement that Kuropatkin is
moving on each side of the railroad in
order to have an easy line of commu-
nication would indicate his intentions
to make a frontal attack. with pos
sible turning movement from the west,
where the ground is open, but there
the river bars the way and no de-
cisive victory is seemingly possible un-
less he can reach the Japanese line of
communication below Lao Yang A
military expert writes:
'It is difficult to say when Field
Marshal Oyama will accept battle.
RSGndDS ne VIII resist the ADVANCE at
various positions north of the Taitse
river, but according to the latest un-
officials reports our troops are advanc-
ing along the whole line and the cav
airy is even across the Taitse river
Japanese Reinforced.
st. Petersburg. Oct. IA dispatch
from the Russian headquarters at
Mukden says the land blockade OF
Port Arthur has weakened: that the
Japanese at Lao Yang have been re-
inforced by fifteen thousand men by
way of Newchwang, and that they ex-
pect three additional divisions in a
few days.
Japanese Gunboat Sunk.
Toxic. Oct 11.-3 p. m.-The Jap
anese gunboat Hei Ven struck a mine
in Pigeon bay west of Port Arthur,
September Is, and sank. Only four
of her crew were rescued
The loss of the armored gunboat Hef
Yen was announced today and permis-
sion was granted by the authorities 10
publish the details of the disaster.
The Hei Yen struck a mine off Pigeon
bay on the night of September Is, and
foundered. Nearly 300 persons, her en-
tire complement were drowned. Two
petty officers and two sailors managed
to reach Chiao Pal island. from which
they were rescued.
The Hei Yen, which was engaged in
guard duty off Pigeon bay was missed
by the fleet and a search for the ves-