Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-10-27
RUSSIA OWNS DEFEAT;
EXPECTS GERMAN AID
War in Msnehurla Apparently Halts,
but Surprise Is Expected.

st. Petersburg, October 20. 2:05 a
m.--For the moment heavy rains and
impossible roads have compelled a
suspension of operations in Manchuria.
There was practically no fighting yes
terday and none whatever last night
There is evidence of a new disposi-
ton of forces on both sides. Gen.
Kuropatkin is extending his right,
whether with view to turning move
mont for the safety Of Lone Tree hill
or whether to meet and thwart the
Japanese turning movement from the
west. has not developed. The Japan
csc also appear to be shifting weight
to the westward There is an utter lack
of late news from Toxic and an enemy
so resOurceful may really be preparing
surprise movement instead of a re-
treat. relieving the pressure on the
front with a view TO accomplishing some
thing on the flank. Many critics here
continue to believe that Gen. Kuropat-
kin intends to return to the line of
the Hun river.
When operations recommence they
will assume an entirely new phase,
with new dispositions and detectives.
Practically, last weeks battle has end
ed and it goes into history as a Rus
sian defeat. When the operations are
resumed a new battle will begin.
The reappearanaco of Viceroy Alex
jeff at Mukden to-day for a conference
is not particularly reassuTring, as such
conferences in the past have not been
fruitful of success.
The movement Of troops on the Rus
sian western frontier and the prepare
lions to further reduce garrisons in
this region, revive talk OF a complete
understanding with Germany. under
which the frontier will be protected
so as to permit of the dispatch to
Manchuria of troops stationed in Po-
land.
There are about 100000 soldiers in
Poland. comprising some of the best
| troops in the empire. 1t is already
| known that practically all of three
corps in the Wilma government will
/ be included in Gen. Grippenberg's
army, but as these troops are includ-
ed in what is known as Russia's third
! line of defense, the fact has not at
! tracted much attention. 1t now de-
velops that the rifle brigade at Plotsk,
| in the government of Tshenstoehova,
directly on the frontier is mobilizing.
| In the best informed diplomatic circles
| it is believed that nothing in the shape
of treaty between Russia and Ger
many has been comitted to writing, but
there is simply a mutual understanding
| between the two sovereigns covering
much farther So far as the present
war is concerned, there is no evidence
that the supposed agreement covers
active aid, as such an agreement would
| render operative the Anglo-Japanese
agreement
1t is thought probable, however. in
diplomatic circles that there is some
thing in the nature of pledge on the
part of the emperor of Germany to
protect Russia's western frontier.
1t is now recalled as significant of
the deep personal friendship OF the
two emperors. that, when Emperor
William was about to undergo an oper
alton last year, he commended his
eldest son to the hands of Emperor
Nicholas. This fact was mentioned
at the time in the Official Messenger
but did no attract as much attention
as it is now receiving
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