The San Francisco call., 1904-10-10
Little BrOun
Men Forced
to WithdrdU
Fighters of Gar
Seize Key to
Situation.
Troops OfMikddO
Hdrdssed by
COSS0ckS.

MUKDEN, Oct. 9.-The Russian for
siaputze has been captured with a
small loss. In order TO gain a clear un-
derstanding of the situation, it may be
stated that two days ago the Japanese
divisions confronted the Russians north
of the Taitse River. Their left flank,
consisting Of two divisions, was on the
railway at Sandiapu. thirty miles
southwest of Mukden and close to the
Hun River. Their center, comprised of
four divisions. occupied the railway be-
tween the -Liaoyang and Ghandiaputze,
twelve miles moth. Two more divisions
occupied the extreme Japanese right,
along the road between Bentsiaputze
and Bensihu. Their front extended
about fifty-two miles.
The position at Bentsiaputze was
strongly fortified and intended to with
stand attack. 1t is reported that Cen
eral KurOki was there in person. The
Japanese had omitted to fortify one
hill, which was the key to the position.
The Russians, aware of this omission,
made a wide detour eastward and
seized the hill with little opposition.
The hill, once occupied, exposed the
whole Japanese position to a heavy
thanking fire. The Russians also turned
positions thus becoming untenable, the
Japanese were forced to withdraw hur-
riedly from Bentsiaputze, fighting
rear-guard action, in which they suf-
fered heavily. The Russian losses
throughout were small. although severe
opposition had been expected. General
Mistchenko's Cossacks had been har-
assing the Japanese outposts for sew
eral days and were entirely successful
in ra11pnhor nf onUa
The Russian southern advance began
on October 4. with the occupation of
Shakhe, a railway station. The next
day the station, which had been dis
mantled by the Japanese, was restored
by the railway brigade, following i'm
behind the fighting line, and
the same brigade also restored the
bridge across the Shakhe River On
October General Mistchenko ad-
vanced almost to the Yentai mines,
driving in the Japanese outposts with
heavy loss at an expense of only one
killed and five injured.
The Russian forward movement be-
ing made in the heaviest marching or
der, one sees everywhere whole COM
panies of which every man carries a
large knapsack on his back, a rifle on
his shoulder and large kettle or tea
pot slung to his waist, while hanging
from the belt is the cartridge case in
front and big wooden water bottle
and an axe, pickaxe or spade on either
side. Altogether, with overcoats, the
equipment weighs 100 pounds. The SOL
diers move steadily and cheerfully,
though the column looks more like a
pack train than an army. First-aid
stations of the Red ross are being or
ganized and the nurses are working
everywhere. Doctors and sis
ters Of charity are going to the front
in Chinese carts at the rate of two
miles an hour over heavy roads, but
are cheerful and devoted as ever, in
spite of the imminent prospect of more
of the difficult and dangerous work un-
der fire which won them the undying
gratitude of the army at Liaoyang.
Chinese reports of the Japanese
movement state that Lieutenant Gen
eral Fushimi, with two divisions, is
to flank the Russians. His
force is already on the Lao River,
within twenty-five miles of Simmintin.
A simultaneous movement, it is under
stood. is being carried out by General
Kuroki to the eastward with the object
of striking the railway and flanking the
Russians out of Mukden, as was done
at Liaoyaug, but the conditions are
now rather different.