The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-11-03
JAPS IN FINE TRIM.
Heavy Requirements Enable 0y-
anna to Resume the Offensive.
FIGHTING ALONG THE WHOLE FRONT
second battle on the Shnkhe VIII
Likely Prove Much Bigger and
More bloody Than the First
Port Arthur In Had Way.

ST. Petersburg, Nov. Everything
indicates that both the Japanese and
the Russian armies south of Mukden
are ready for resumption of hostili-
ties, IL indeed fighting has not already
begun. Gen. Kuropatkin reports that
the Japanese have received reinforce
ments from the south and Feng Wang
Cheng. Their concentration seems to
have been accomplished and they are
ready to resume the offensive both east
and west OF the railroad. There is
no official estimate OF the strength OF
the Japanese achievements, but cor
respondents place II at from 10000 to
$4,000. II Is believed that the Japa-
nese force has been very largely aug
mented both from Port Arthur, where
an engineering siege has been begun,
and Japan, from whence 1t is under
stood every available man is being
drafted II seems to be assured that
the Japanese will be able to meet Gen.
kuropatkin on almost If not quite an
equal numerical footing. The mere
fact that they are again threatening
double Ranking movement indicates
Field Marshal 0yama's confidence in
the sutiiciency of the force at his dis
posal.
1t is believed here that the second
battle on the Shakhe river will prove
to be as much bigger and more serious
than the first. as the first was more
serious than the battle of Lao Yang.
Gen. Kuropatkin is confronted by an
exceedingly difficult problem. He is
pitted against a Japanese force strong
er, even despite its recent losses. than
that opposing the southern advance
II Kuropatkin now succeeds in check
ing or. even breaking the japanese
formation it will open large possibility
for the brief remainder of the present
years campaign. On the other hand
a Russian reverse now would render
the position exceedingly critical
Dispatches indicate the resumption
of fighting on both extremities of the
Russian front. The night of October
30 the Japanese attacked the Russian
entertainments east of Sinchinpu. but
were repulsed, though the lombard
ment continued throughout the night.
A Japanese advance has also begun
against the Russian positions at Tun-
canon, ~ miles north of Bentsiaputze,
where they encountered heavy Rus
sian fire. Thus II appears that the
Japanese are becoming aggressive
along the whole front from Bentsia-
| putZe on the extreme east to Sinchin-
pu, which is west of the Shakhe river,
where that stream bends south after
crossing the railroad. This probably
| constitutes the extreme Russian west.
making the battle front abuut the same
as when Gen. Kuropatkin began his
southern movement.
| The latest reports from Port Arthur
are by no means encouraging. Gen.
Stoessel is making a good defense. but
| the Japanese are approaching now by
parallels confessedly close to important
Russian Notifications. While this
form of attack is less spectacular and
less costly in men than repeated as
sault, is is no less conclusive in ulti-
mate results. demanding a sleepless
defense and being almost impossible
| to Illustrate
Jap Spies in Various DISCUSSES.
Hardin, Nov. 1.-The activity of Chi
nese bandits is increasing along the
railroad. and the region is swarming
with Jap1nc>e spies in Russian, Chi
nese and European DISCUSSES. who are
| offering large rewards for the Chinese
engaged in supplying the Russian COM
missaries, honing th"s to cripple the
Russian supply department
| ID ITCCIA MITCT nav THE DITI