The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-05-21

LONDON, May 21.-Advices from St.
Petersburg say that following on the
heels of the news of the disasters to
the Japanese feet the general staff has
received official advices of the defeat
of the Japanese force (which was
marching northward from Fengwang-
cheng for the purpose of executing u
flank movement on Mukden.
Details of the dispatch will not be
made public until it has been passed
has been communicated to make it
clear that in order to save themselves
from destruction the japanese were
compelled to retreat toward Feng.
wangcheng.
Since General Kuroki sent a column
northward to gain the road leading di-
rectly west'from Mukden General Ku-
ropatkln has kept it under the closest
surveillance, awaiting the moment to
strike ii heavy blow when it should be
so distant from the main japanese ar
my as to prevent its easy re-euforce-
ment In observing this plan the Rus
slams withdrew, and the japanese, not
finding a strong force of the enemy be-
fore them, continued to advance. When
the time for action came General Ku-
ropatkin let General Rennenkamp1
loose from the leash.
General Rennenkampff had under his
command only a few regiments, but
they were the flower of the COssack
cavalry, and he fell on the enemy,
whose number has not yet been re-
vealed, with such vigor as to compel
the Japanese retirement twelve miles
toward the base, near enough, it is pre-
sumed, to have received re-enforce-
ments from General Kuroki, who must
Immediately have been advised of the
awkward predicament.
The operation is described by the
general staff as just such move as 1t
was expected General Kuropatkin
would make and for which General
Rennenkampff was fitted and chosen.
The latters appearance on the stage
was somewhat late. 1t had been in
tended that he should raid Korea ut
the beginning of the war, but he ar
rived at the front too late.
The general staff believes General
Rennenkampff's attack must have
been In the nature of a thunderbOlt.
He is man to attack quickly and
hard once given the opportunity, and
his men, veterans of the Chinese cam.
paign, had been selected especially be-
cause they had tasted blood and knew
what it was TO be under fire. The cas-
ualties sustained by the opposing
forces have not yet been announced.
One effect of the Japanese naval dis
aster has been the renewal Of the talk
In diplomatic circles OF a possible
friendly Intervention of one of the
great powers, but neither Sir Charles
Hardinge, the British ambassador, or
any of the other ambassadors will
bring up the subject, officially or other
wise, in view of the recent declaration
of the Russian government, that it
would not brook Intervention.
A Newchwang report says Japanese
numbering 10000 men came upon 3D.
900 Russians in strong position sixty
miles west Of Fengwangcheng. 1t be-
ing unwise to risk battle, the Japa-
nese retreated In good order and with
great rapidity.
The Russians are jubilant over their
reported victory near Fengwangcheng
and consider that, 1t being Emperor
Nicholas birthday, the victory is good
medicine" for the japanese.
The latest authentic reports show
that there are two divisions of the
Yalu army. One is moving on Hal
cheng, and the other was going toward
Liaoyang. 1t is believed the Russians
concentrated their forces and struck
the enemy south of Liaoyang, driving
the japanese back. The reports say
the japanese loss was heavy.
1t is understood that the siege guns
removed from the Newchwang forts
and taken to the Haicheng forts were
mounted there.
A Tokyo report says in the naval
disasters off Port Arthur Captain Ma
kao, commander of the Hatsuse, was
among those saved from the battleship
after 1t was blown up.
Among the lost on the Hatsuse were
Commander Tsukamoto, Viscount Nire