The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-10-14
RUSSIANS NOW AFTER JAPS
0yama Falling Back Upon Fortified
Positions.
THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN IS CHANGED.
Reported That the Japs Have Abandoned
Slanchan, Saimatze and Other Positions
East Of Liaoyang-No Advise Through Japa-
nese Sources Commander May At.
tempt to Turn LiaoyaEg.

tempt to Turn LiaoyaEg.
The sudden and complete change
in the plan of campaign in Manchuria
caused by General Kuropatkin assum-
ing the offensive will, it is believed,
lead to some surprising movements
by the Japanese. 1t now appears that
the latter retired from Bentsiaputze
almost without a struggle, notwith-
standing the importance attached to
that position by the Russians.
1t is reported through Russian
sources that the Japanese have aban-
doned Sianchan, Saimatze and Mel
choulin, positions east of Liaoyang.
and that their outposts are being driv-
en- in all along the line. No advices
have been received from the Japa-
nese commanders. They are as mystic
riously secretive as ever.
1t appears that Kuropatkin means
to give battle south of Mukden, and
that the position he has prepared at
Tie Pass is for the contingency of de-
feat, and also to strengthen his general
PLAN Only six miles separate the ad-
vance lines, and the vital question is
whether Oyama will contest the pres
ent Russian advance or fall back to
his strong positions to the north OF
Liaoyang.
Kuropatkin's advance is being made
with extreme slowness and delibera-
ton, and it is now known that the
movement against Bentsiaputze has
been under way since October a. The
new situation causes St. Petersburg to
believe that winter campaign will
be undertaken.
A dispatch from the field headquar-
tiers of the Japanese second army says
that the Russians are building heavy
earthworks south of Mukden. ku-
ropatkin's army is moving in two
strong columns, one on each side OF
the railway, and they are intrenching
as they advance.
The Russian War Office estimates
that Field Marshal Oyama's total
strength is about 100000 men, OF which
10000 are posted between the Hun
River, to the west, and Bentslaputze:
eastward, the remainder being held
in reserve at Liaoyang. Kuropatkin's
forces number over 100000 men.
Toxic reports that the Japanese re-
Gently conferred heavy fire from the
fleet and land batteries on the Rus
sian vessels in Port Arthur, sinking
three of them.
There was another farewell review
of the Baltic fleet by the Gar at Rev
Ell and the Russian ships have sailed
for Leban.
Rumors of the existence of secret
understanding between Russia and
Germany covering the war are re-
vived, but nothing conhrmatory is OBJ
tainable.
St. Petersburg (By Cable).-A bat
tie upon which the fate of this years
campaign in Manchuria depends seems
only few days ahead. Advices from
the front are meager. All that is posi-
lively known officially is that General
Kuropatkin has cast the die at last
about-faced his army and is marching
resolutely against the enemy as if re-
solved to do or die.
According to unofficial reports Field
Marshal Oyama, at the first sign OF
General Kuropatkin taking the often
sive, began drawing in his line and
concentrating upon fortified positions
north of Liaoyang: According to last
reports, the Japanese outposts are be-
ing driven in all along the line.
The strategy of the forward move
ment will be concealed, as were the
preparations for the advance, so that
all surmises as to where General XII
ropatkin intends to strike are mere
guesswork. 1t is not clear whether
General Kuropatkin contemplates a
blow on the left, center or right of the
Japanese army, but the fact that stress
is laid upon the capture of Bentsia-
putze, which opens the roads and fords
/, to Bensihu, 20 miles east of Liaoyang
where General Kuroki crossed, and
that Cossacks are already reported in
the neighborhood of the stream, might
foreshadow an exact reversal of the
Battle of Liaoyang, this time the Rus
sian commander hanking and turning
Liaoyang with his left, as Field Mar
shall Oyama did with his right.