The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-20
RAINS CAUSE
 LULU IN EAST - Temporary Sus,s,nSion of
 Hostlg,,ss. -y- FORCES cH s.GE POSITION General Kuropatkin is Ex-
 tending His Right. Jspsnese Reported to Be Preparins to Retire, Bat TAeir Enemy Fear
 Resosrcefuiness of the Mfkado's Men.

St. Petersburg, Oct. 20.-(2:25 a. m.) For the moment heavy rains and im- paFsahie roads have compelled a sus- pension of operations in Manchuria. There was little fighting in Manchuria today, and none whatever last night. There Is evidence of a new disposition of the forces of both sides. General Kuropatkin Is extending his right, whether with view of turning move ment to the safety of Lone Tree Hill. the importance of which Is fully real ized by the Japanese, who have at tempted to retake 1t In two night att tacks, or whether to meet and thwart Japanese turning movement from the west, has not yet developed. The Japanese also appear to be shifting weight to the west.
 Yelled hints continue to arrive that the Russians have recovered from the blow Inflicted last week by Field Mar shal Oyama, and that General Kuro- patkin is preparing to renew the strug- gle so soon as the roads become dry. Two Associated Press dispatches from Mukden tonight mention reports that the Japanese already are preparing to retire and the War Offce admits that Kuropatkin's left has again moved slightly forward; but there Is no light upon the movements of the Japanese.
 The Japs's Resourcefulaess.
 There Is no late news from Tokio, and an enemy so resourceful may read lily be preparing a surprise movement instead of a retreat, relieving the pres sure on the front with view to ac- complaining something on the flank.
 Many critics continue to believe that General Kuropatlkin intends returning to the line of the Hun River.
 The enforced cessation of operations by the bad weather, if the Japanese of- fensive had really exhausted itself, gives both armies a chance to breathe and pull themseIves together and would seem to Insure as much bensat to one side as to- the other for practical pur- poses, When operations recommen nee they will assume an entirely new phase with new dispositions and objectiyes. Last weeks battle has ended and t. goes into history as q Russian defsat. When operations are resumed a new battle will begin.
 The reappearance of viceroy Alexiefe at Mukden today. for a conference is not particularly reassuring as such conferences in the past have not been fruitful of success.
 Troops From Poland.
 The movements of troops on the Flu ropean Russian western front and the preparations LO TeuuCe BaTTlSOnS III this region revive talk of complete understanding with Germany under which the frontier will be protected so as to permit the despatch to Manchuria of troops stationed in Poland.
 There are some 100000 troops in Po- | land, some of the best troops in the | Empire It develops that the rife bri- | gade at Plotsk, in the Government of Tschenstoehova, directly on the frontier | is mobilixing. In the best informed 1 circles it Is believed that nothing in | the shape Gf a treaty between Russia | and Germany haS been committed to
 writing, but that there is simply a mu- | tual understanding between the two ] sovereigns covering this point and l some believe. going much further. So far as the present war Is con- l cerned. there is no evidence that the ! supposed agreement covers active aid. ! as such an agreement would render op- ] eratiye the Angio-Japanese alliance. It
 is thought, however, in diplomatic quarters that there is something in the
 nature of a pledge on the part of the | Emperor of Germany to protect Rus
 sia's western frontier.
 l It is now recalled as significant of | the deep personal friendship of the two l Emperors that when Emperor William
 was about to undergo an operation last
 year. he commended his eldest son to 1 the hands of Emperor Nicholas. This 1 fact was mentioned at the time in the 1 Oflcial Messenger. but did not attract i as much attention as it is now receiv- | ing.