The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-09-08
RACING TO MUKDEN
kuroh Endeavoring to Cut OF Kuro-
patkin's Retreat.

ST. Petersburg. Sept "a dispatch
received from General Kuropatkin. for
warded Sunday evening. indicates that
Kuropatkin's army and General Ru-
r0bts army are racing for Multden
and that the result is I'm doubt
General Kuropatkin says that the
retreat is being conducted in perfect
order
Field Marshal Oyama's whole army
/ is across the Taitse river and IS pur-
suing General KurOpatklns forces
The Russian losses during the fight
Ing at Lao YanS are estimated at
5000.
There IS no doubt here that a num-
Der of guns. especially siege artillery
have been abandoned
1t is officially stated that the united
Russian forces are now north of Yen
tai. except a detachment left at that
place TO cover tine retreat
The japanese swarmed across the
Taitse river near it's junction with the
Pensi.
The bulk OF the Japanese force Is
marching direct on Mukden.
Il is impossible 20 obtain any state
ment from the authorities regarding
the reported preparations for the
abandonment of Mukden.
This is the first iHtimation that such
a course is contemplated If IL turns
ont 10 be true. it means the abandon
mpnt of the whole of Southern Man
churia and the winding up OF the pres
ont CAMPAIGN
In fact. should Mubdon be eyacu-
ated. there would be no point for win
tpring the army of a quarter OF mil
lion. with IT'S many wounded. short OF
Hardin.
On the other hand. the evacuation
of Mukden would give Field Marshal
Oyama commodl0us winter quarters
and the practical control OF TWO lines
of railway. The Kinch0u-Sinminton
line. tapping rich Chinese territory
stops little short Of Mukden, with
which il is connected by good wagon
road
The report Of the prospective eyacu'
alton of Mukden. IF well founded. would
indicate that the Gripping effect OF
the Lao Yang fighting on kuropat-
kin's army is more serious than has as
vet been minated.
The japanese have thrown a strong
Ganking column across the Taitse
river at Beuitzu. about 80 miles north
east OF Lao Yang This column IS bur
rving 70 the northeast and endeavor-
ing to Get in between the Russian
army and Mukd N. Il is against TINS
movement that KurOpatlIin has dis
Matched Lieutenant General Rennen'
kampf with a strong Cossack division,
which il is believed is already block
ing the eastern high road.
Kuropatkin has three roads over
which he is marching towards Muk-
den. besides the dOuble.tracked rail-
way. The latter is chiefly occupied in
the transportation of guns and OF
equipment. of which there is q great
quantity. The soldiers are marching
in light order. and most OF the wound
ed have already been dispatched north
by rail-
General KurODatlin, in telegram to
the general staff, filed at p. m, Sep
TENDER 5, north Of Yentai, says the
japanese on Sunday engaged his rear
guard south of Yentai the fight con
tinuing until Monday, The telegram de-
tails the precautions taken TO check
mate the Japanese flankers-
Kuropatkin estimates his losses up
to and including September A, at 49,
600. This is considered to be very
conservative figure. The loss to the
Japanese probably will be double this
number. owing 10 their position as at
taekers
Kuropatkin SAYS nothing regarding
the loss Of guns. but 1t is probable