The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-23

. fecelNed at the Japanese leBdtlon . from Tolxio under todays date says . . Marquis Oyama reports that the @ = Shakhe river engagement resulted = . in the capture by the Japanese of ' . 300 prisoners and 45 guns, while 10.- ' = 550 Russian corpses were counted. S
 
 St. Petersburg, October ?. 11:04 p. m.- With the closing of the week the semi panic produced by the heavy reverse sus- tained by General Kuropatkin's army last week. has in a great measure disappear- ed, and there Is much more cheerful feeling pervadng the war office. The general disaster which threatened to en- gulf the Manchurian army has been averted by the results of the ten days of almost continuous fighting, which to night Is a draw.
 General Kuropatkln has again displayed consummate skill in preventing Field Marshal Oyama from reaping the fruits of victory. By withdrawing his shattered left wing under shelter of the right cen ter, lie succeeded in the gigantic task of talzing 5000 wounded off the field of battle, and more than this, according to all indinations. he recognized and form ed his broken lesions and again con- fronts the Japanese across the shakhe river A resumption of the conflict on . large scale Is believed to be imminent g;
 Feat In Military History. That KuropatlSin has 10000 woundeG ,.rf and Is able to resume the offensive wftlii8 a fortnight constitutes feat in military history. There was an impression early in the week that Kuropatkn was concen- | trating his forces on his right and center to avoid being driven off the line of the railroad, without having embarrassed tho retirement of his left, but now he has had ample time to withdraw, and the sit uation shows more determination than ever to secure strong advanced positions across the Shalkhe.
 It Is known that the left has actually pushed forward slightly and the idea that l operations contemplate only reargnard actions seems negatlved Nevertheless dispatches to the Associated Press from l Mukden say that Kuropatlxn has been l fortifying positions on the Hun river be- hind him. which might indicate that he proposes only to make an active defense below Mukden.
 Accounts Are Mystfyng. The general staff accounts are rather mystlfylng. It simply attributes the ces- sation of operations to the natural ex- haustion of both sides, but does not of- fer a clue to what 1t anticipates It is sig nificant. however with what satisfaction the news of the capture of Shakhe sta ton, at the intersection of the Shakhe river and the Mandarin road was re- | ceived. The taking of the town Is regard l ed as an important strategical gain. plac- ing General Kuropatlxin in complete mas | tery of both sides of the Shakhe river be- l tween the railroad and the Mukden and | Bentsiaputze roads. The only point on the 1 left bank of the Shakhe river remaining | in the hands of the Japanese Is Lamunint- | ing. within a rife shot of the railroad bridge.
 Tremendous Collision Expected.
 The heavy concentration of both Rus sians and apanese between the Mandarin road and the railroad, makes certain tremendous collision at this point. The Associated Press learns that portion or the Eighth army corps. which had l reached Harbin is hurrylng southward. l While the Japanese evidently are deter
 mined to pursue the policy followed by
 them since the beginning of the war of
 conceaing the extent of their losses. the | war office believes that their casualties l must be at least three-fourths as great as
 those of the Russians. probably in the l neighborhood of 1000.
 The weather has again become clear,
 but is very cold, and the soldiers are re-
 ported to be suffering.