The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-18

NO appreciable progress has been
made in the projected advance south
ward of the Russian army under Gen
eral Kuropatkin since the initial Sue
cess of the movement in the capture Of
Bentsiaputsze. Fighting Of the most
stubborn description continues along
practically the entire front. Field Mar
sha! Oyama reports the capture OF thir-
ty guns from the Russians and claims
distinct successes in forcing the Rus
slams to retire from some of their ad-
vanced positions.
General Kuropatkin's report 10 EN-
peror Nicholas is couched in guarded
terms and claims nothing in the way of
accomplished results. Reports from the
Russian military commander at Port
Arthur show that the Japanese there
have brought a shell fire to bear upon
the inner fortress. The garrison, how
ever, is represented to be hopeful of the
outsome Of the siege.
REPORT FROM KUROPATKIN.
St. Petersburg, Oct. 13.-General ku-
TOpatkin reports that during the fight
ing yesterday and today the advance
troops were reinforced from the prin-
cipai Positions, that this evening the
left wing was ordered to fall back on
the main position, and that about 2
D. m. the center was obliged to fall
back. The report does not mention
the fighting on the right wing.
The full text of General Kuropatk!n's
report, which is dated October 13 anG
addIe ssed to the Emperor, is as fol-
lows:
Last night and throughout today
the Manchurian army was engaged IN
a fierce fight. The Japanese concen-
trated a great force against u dispo-
sitions on the center n right wing.
We carried or the fight from advanced
positions, and it became necessary to
support these advance guards from the
main position. The right wing held its
advance position and only at nighttdll
pie position. In the center troops were
position. In the center the troops were
forced to retire from the advance 20
the main position about 2 p. m.
According TO reports and to my own
observations, the fighting was most
desperate. We repulsed numerous
Japanese attacks and ourselves
assumed the offensive. The he
roic defence OF its advanced position
by the Tomsk regiments is especially
deserving of mention.
During the night our troops on the
right flank recaptured at the point of
the bayOnet a village which had been
lost the previous evening. On left flank
severe fighting for the possession Of
a pass has been continued. Our troops
scaled almost inaccessible racks N
held their grounds for two days, grad
ually approaching the enemy.
Il have rot yet received a report of
today's fight on the left wing. Under
the conditions of the fighting the losses
are necessarily considerable. l have
ordered that the positions we now hold
be steadily defended tomorrow"
RUSSIANS DECISIVELY WHIPPED.
Toxic, Oct. IS, 2 p. NIT is yet too
early to measure the results of the ire
mendous struggle which has been wag-
ed for the past three days south Of
Mukden. but all reports reaching Toxic
indicate that Kuropatkin has been
decisively whipped and severely pun
ished. The Russian commander was
evidently caught while making his
dispositions with his force scattered
and he was beaten before he could re-
cover.
Much depends on the ability and res
luton of the Japanese in applying and
following up their advantages. kuro-
patkin may turn up in favorable
ground and succeed in beating back
the Japanese onslaught, but the tide
seems against him.
The Japanese yesterday began a des-
perate effort to turn the Russian right
and if this effort should be successful
it will carry disaster to the Russian
arms.
The struggle around Bensihu is being
followed with intense interest here.
The Russian force there Is estimated at
five thousand and its isolation or loss
woul be a severe blow.
Estimates of the total forces engaged
vary. One telegram from Lao Yang
says that the Russians ave two hun
dred thousand men with one thousand
number engaged at the battle of Lao
Yang.
JAPANESE SUCCESSES CONTINUE.
Toxic, Oct. 13.-Evening-The latest
kilograms from the front indicate the
continuation Of Japanese success.
The Russians made two desperate
counter attacks against the japanese
left. but were repulsed with heavy
slaughter.
The japanese commanders in Their
reports give expression to their admi-
ration of the valor of the Russians.
The Manchurian headquarters in a
telegram sent in today reports as fol-
lows:
Since the last report our right army
has been continuing a vigorous puc.
suit of the enemy towards the north
The column which was dispatched il
the direction of Shihchiao Tsu to in
tercept the retreat of the enemy from