New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-14
GREAT ARMIES MOVING.
Oku, NOdzu and Kur0ki Pressing
Sl05CIy North and Vest.

CJOIItE " NOIJft UHtt w CSt.
St. Petersburg. July 13.-steadny and eau
tiously General Oku's army from the south and
General Nodzu's army from the east are closing
in upon Tashi-Chiao. where General Kuropatkln
Is reported to be entrenching One hundred and
thirty thousand men are involved in the move
ment. The next few days will determine whether
General Kuropatkin intends to make a stand at
Tashi-Chiao. whose capture by the Japanese
would compel the immediate evacuation CT New
Chwang.
The outposts Of the armies are scarcely fifteen
miles apart. The slowness Of the advance is ap-
parently due to the natural difficulties In the
way Of a rapid movement Of the Japanese east
ern fanking columns.
General SakharoT reports that General Kuroki
is massing his troops near the Pha Pass and
moving out by both roads upon Hai-Cheng.
Heavy pressure from this quarter would render
Tashi-Chiao untenable.
All the japanese energies now seem TO be
concentrated on aTshi-Chiao and Hai-Chens-
The operations TO the north which may have
been feints. haev been suddenly suspended.
The growing activity Of Chinese bandits in ~,
valley of the Lao River at this CRITICAL moneFe
means additional embarrassment to Genera
Kuropatkin.
General Sakharoff's dispatch is dated July =.
and reports that the japanese on July 10 begar-
70 construct field works on the heights betwevl
the railroad line and the road from Kai-Ping 10
Tashi- -Chiao
japanese outposts were observed on July II
between Madlinkau and sangaisha. and skir
mishing took place between the advance guards
near the village OF Sia-Dian-Tsia. on the same
dav. The japanese retired when the Russians
were reinforced.
a Japanese detachment of one battalion Of In
fantry and three squadrons of cavalry was dis
covered about eight miles northeast of Kaio-
Ping their outposts extending along the valley
Of the Pan-Tak. from Yu-Dia-Tien. about nine
miles east of Kai-Ping. so far as Panshipudza.
about four miles south OF ChI-Dia-Kao.
General Sakharoff also reports that the Japa-
nese are throwing up earthworks on the heights
on both sides of Kheion-
A Japanese force is encamped on the road be-
tween Si-Mu-C -Cheng and Feng-Wang-C -Cheng. and
it's advance guard has occupied the Valley of the
Saukhe River.
General Sakharofr adds that number OF out
post engagements have taken place IN different
directions. with trifling losses on both sides
They Indicate the persistent advance OF ths
japanese
According 10 a telegram from Liao-Yans the
Russian scouts have discovered mora japanese
detachments in the valley Of the Tai-Tse River.
on the road TO Moukden- The correspondent
thinks the Japanese IL that vicinity intend 20
direct the operations of the Chinese bandits,
who are concentrating In the surrounding val
levs for the purpose Of raiding the railroad and
blowing up bridges.
The military critic OF the 'Viedomostf be-
lieves that General KurOpatkn IS deliberately
sl1rrenderine his southern positions. like that OF
Kai-Ping for the purpose OF drawing ON the
Japanese into the open country at or above
Tashi-Chiao where the Russians will be able TO
deplov large forces and to derive full advantages
from their superior cavalry. He attributes Cen
General Nodzu whose divisions stalled in
the Chapan and Ia passes on account OF
transport difficulties and to the stubborn resist
anc~ Of General ZarOcbaieh, commander OF the
Fourth Siberian Army Corps. whose forces viii
have to he cleared out before a southern ad-
vance is made
The critic thinks that the Japanese game OF
strategy is 20 effect a JUactUre between Nodzu
and Oku. in order TO force Kuropatkin the
northward and. if this plan should be sUcesss-
full to combine with Kurol1i Liao-Yaas.
The mobilization of two more army cops &
expected shortly.