Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-14

TOKYO. october III p.m.-Field Mar
shal Oyama reports that a battle Is beng
fought along almost the entire front ana
that the Japanese are making satisfactory
progress.
Kuropatkin Reports Guns LOST.
The Emperor has received the following
Dispatch dated yesterday, from General
kuropatkin:
Two regiments of the Russian right on
October IL sustained heavy losses. The
commander of one was killed and the
brigade commander was wounded Both
regiments were compelled to Withdraw
abandoning their artillery, but subsequent
w. under Colonel Vannovsky, who tenn
porarily assumed command OF the br1gade,
they. after a desperate assault, regalneu
possession of the guns, with the exception
of sixteen, which remained IN the hands OF
the Japanese The final issue of the battle
Wednesday this flank was unsuccessful
for us On account of a night attack OF
the Japanese, who executed a turning move
ment, our troops were forced no. only 10
abandon their positions. but again lost the
guns previously recovered from the Jap
anese. Our forces retired to the position
previously prepared on the Shakhe river.
Russians on the Defensive.
Another dispatch from Gen. Kuropatkin,
dated early this morning. says, regarding
the fighting of October Il and October IL,
that the Russians on the right wing de-
Tended their advanced positions and also
portions of the different main positions
particularly in the direction of Sialiuhedzy'
until toward evening, when kuropatkin Or
dered them to withdraw short distance
In spite of the fact that the japanese at
tacks were chiefly directed against these
troops, they held the ground 10 winch they
retired.
ON the left wing. after very obstinate
struggle, the Russians occupied the rocky
hills south of Bentsiaputze and near Ben
sihu, about eight miles north of Yentai,
but the arrival of large japanese reinforce
ments prevented them from Fronting by
this success. and as this body was sepa-
rated from the rest of the troops kuro-
patkin ordered 1t to retire.
The dispatch reiterates that the russians
suffered heavy losses, but no details have
yet been given out
Anxiety at ST. Petersburg.
1t is now o'clock at night on the battle
ground below Mukden and the fate OF Cen
eral Kuropatkin's forward movement ana
possibly the fate of his whole army may
already have been decided. but no word
has yet come regarding the issue Natur-
ally the city is filled with countless rumors
of defeat and victory. The public has been
aroused to the highest pitch of excite
ment and anxiety by kuropatkin's dispatch
of last night revealing the terrific character
of the combat yesterday, and acquaintng
the people officially that he was on the de-
fensive.
That, together with the Tokyo dispatches
declaring that the japanese forces We're
everywhere gaining ground and kuropat-
kins concluding statement that he would
give orders tomorrow to obstinately de-
fend the positions occupied by u.s., has
chilled the enthusiasm with which the news
of the Russian advance was hailed and IN
stead has raised omnous fears of i'm
pending disaster The holiday crowds en-
gagged in celebrating the festival of the
"Intercession of the Virgin for Humanity,
on which occasion they usually spend their
time in merrymaking, clung obstinately to
the bulletin boards, hungrily awaiting news
of the issue of the most critical day. II
is fully appreciated that If kuropatkin' s
army was driven back today the whole
plan of the Russian advance may have
been wrecked. and that If Field Marshal
Oyama is able to follow up the Russians
energetically the battle may end in ire
trievable ruin for Kuropatkin.
ION the other hand, if Oyama, having
himself met the Russian advance by assum-
ing the offensive and throwing the weight
of his armies upon the Russian lines today,
exhausted the energy of his troops and fall
ed to break his opponents lines, a repulse
necessarily must weaken his resisting
power when he falls back on the fortified
positions of his triangle.
Apprehension Increased.
Gen. Kuropatkin's official report, given
out at 80 pm, definitely confirming the
loss of artillery attached to the brigade on
his right flank, as the result of Gen. Oku 8
attack on Wednesday night, only served
to increase public apprehension. The num-
Der of guns lost is not specifically stated.
Each division is composed of two brigades
with a brigade of artillery of forty-eight
guns 1t seems that the Russians lost
twenty-four guns, which would correspond
with the Tokyo report.
An extended report from the Manchurian
Headquarters reached Tokyo during the
night and was published this afternoon. II
records severe fighting throughout yester-
day and additional Japanese gains.
The contest around Bensihu continues 10
be undetermined.
Yesterday a force of Japanese cavalry,
commanded by Prince Kanjn made a de-
tour of the Russian left flank in the rear
Of Bensihu and partially scattered the Rus
sian supports.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, October 14-A cable dis
patch from Tokyo says: Reports from the
headquarters OF Field Marshal Oyama today
Indicate that large body of troops from
the Japanese right army of Kuroks COM
mand has succeeded in cutting off the Rus
sian retreat from the direction of Pensihu
The Russians are retreating in confusion