Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1904-10-15
Unusual Activity And BustIe Are Per-
ceived.
kUROPATKIN NAY EYAcUATE.
The War Commission Sat Until an
Unusually late hour But Adjourned
without Issuing Additional News
From Front.

The significance of a Mukden dis
patch noting an unusual activity in
that place is the subject of much
speculation at st. Petersburg. The
theory that it indicates the purpose
of General Kuropatkin to evacuate
the town is not generally accepted,
military officers there surmising that
the commotion noted is in connection
with movement to check a Japanese
thanking operation. In Russian circles
some credence is given to the rumor
that Admiral Wren has left Port
Arthur with his ships, confusion re-
sulting from severe storm on Tuesday
being regarded as having made such
dash possible. Time-expired mem
bers of the guards regiments in ST.
Petersburg and vicinity have been or
dered to remain with the colors. There
are indications that the Russian war
ships in the Baltic will soon be dis
patched to the Far East.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 8.-The war
commission sat until an unusually late
hour, but adjourned without issuing
additional news from the front.
Expert opinion is divided as to
whether serious engagement is like
ly to occur at Mukden, but the dis
patch from that city reporting an I'M
usual activity there gives rise to much
speculative comment. 1t is impossi-
BILE to say whether this condition pres
sages the evacuation of Mukden, but
in any case it is evident that some
thing of unusual interest is pending.
Some are even bold enough to take
it that General Kuropatkin is pre-
pairing to assume the offensive, but
in view of the fact that most reliable
advices credit him with only about
six divisions at Mukden, this is eX-
ceedingly improbable. It is though
more likely that the commotion had
to do with one or the other of the Jap
anese thanking columns which the
Russian commander may have been
preparing to check.
st. Petersburg,-W the admiral
ty claims to have no knowledge of the
departure of the Port Arthur squad
ron, it is inferrable from the way
in which the report that such an
| event had transpired has been receiv.
ed that definite confirmation would
not create surprise. The Associated
Pr6SS is informed InaC no direct OF
ders have been sent to Admiral Wir
en- to break through the blockading
feet, but it is tactically admitted that
the admiral has discretionary powers
to leave Port Arthur should the situa
ton demand or conditions be prOpi
tious. In naval circles it is pointed
out that Wednesday morning the con
ditions might have been favorable fol
a sortie. Heavy storms ragged Tues
day, and, doubtless compelled the
blockading vessels and particularly
the torpedo boats to seek shelter, thus
leaving the way clear for a dash tC
Vladivostok. Some naval officers
however are inclined to think that fir
ing that was heard at Chefoo may only
have been directed at blockade run
ners.
Orders were issued to all the sea
men belonging to the battle ship Ore
and the cruisers Oleg, Semtchug and
Izumrud to rejoin lneir vessels at
| Cronstadt Immediately. 1t is believ
ed that this pressages the sailing OF
| these vessels tomorrow for Reval
where Emperor Nicholas is going t.
review the whole Pacific squadron.