The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29
Begin a General For
ward Movement at Mukden.
Kuropatkim's Army Retires Of
fering Little Resistance.
DRAWS In HIS FORCE.
10 Less Mountainous Country
Before Giving Battle.
Heavy Fighting Regarded as
Imminent on Southeast Front

The Japanese have again resumed
the offensive and today's dispatches in
dicate that sharp fighting may be soon
expected southeast of Mukden. st. Pc
tersburg hears that the Japanese have
taken Da Pass, a strategic point in the
mountain range about As miles south
east of Mukden. Several other passes
are now in their hands. 1t is believed
in st. Petersburg that Kuropatkin is
Withdrawing his force to the less rug
ged country to the northwest of Muk-
den where he may decide to give bat
tie Japan has amended her conscrip-
ton regulations in a manner which viii
increase her available fighting force by
about 200 900 men. A new scheme of
divisional organization is also contem-
plated
St. Petersburg, Sept. $3.50 p. m.
News has been received here from
Mukden to the effect that the jap
anese have at least begun the offensive
They have captured Da Pass and are
pressing on General Kuropatkin's left
flank. The war office is unable TO
confirm this officially, because kuro-
patkin'S dispatches are following the
emperor but the Associated Press is
-
indications point to the news being
correct. 1t is believed the Russians
abandoned Da Pass without serious
resistance. Several other passes of
the Da range, eastward of Bentzia-
putze, GO niles southeast of Mukden)
are also in the hands of the Japanese.
Kuropatkin is evidently drawing his
forces to the less mountainous country
northwestward, where he may decide
to give battle. In the meanwhile sharp
ia ,sr,.or or,f
southeast of Mukden, whence the Jap
aneSe are expected to deliver their
main attack. the flank movement from
the west being of secondary i'm
pOrtance.
British Steamer Held Up.
Chefoo, Sept 29-The British steam
er Yiksang trading in China seas, ar
rived to day and reports that she was
stopped by Japanese torpedo boat de-
stroyer outside of the harbuG OF Che
foo. After her papers had Zen exam
ined the Yiksang was allowed to pro-
ceed-
Will Raise 100000 Men.
Toxic, Sept. 29.-6 P. NAT tEV Sor-
eign office this evening it was stated
that the new conscription regulations
fighting force by about 200,0 600 men.
Series of Raids.
Mukden. Sept. 29.-Many skirmishes
and reconnaiSances are reported to
headquarters here. But except for these
quiet still prevails. In the fighting that
has been taking place the Russian
scouts have almost Invariably shown
superiority to the Japanese both in rid
ing and fighting.
The Japanese movement up the
Taitse river appears to be by COM
paratively small force.
Raiding parties from the Russian
army bring in many prisoners. Beauu-
full autumn weather continues.
RGinfOTo6nentS arriving.
Over one thousand convalescents have
returned to duty.
The railway is in good working con-
dition. officers are distributing the re-
serve of stores that were brought up
from Lao Yang, as adequate supplies
are now coming in from the north.
Details of the fighting near Inpu, be
tween Bentsiaputize and the railroad,
on September 26, show that General
Mistchenko's scouts, accompanied by a
battery of artillery, attacked a Japa-
terry of artillery, two squadrons of
cavalry and two companies of infan-
try
The Japanese were shelled out of
their position on a hill and suffered
heavy loss. AS they retired the Rus
slams occupied the hill until n1ghtfail.
when they. too retired under cover of
darkness, having lost only three men.
The Japanese are sending out large
parties of scouts daily with the object
of checking the Russians continuous
raids.
The march of General Rennen-
kamp's Cossacks around the japanese
right flank, which was mentioned In
these dispatches on September 70, was
a remarkable performance.
Accompanied by a battery of art1l-
Iery, the Cossa ckS covered 80 miles in
So hours. They struck the enemy
north of Bentzia Dutze on September
19 and thence continued south, cir
cling the Japanese right flank and
coming unexpectedly on the japanese
line of communication near Bensihu,
on the bank of Taitse river, September
%, infiicting much damage. The Jap
anese were thrown into great confu-
sion, but the Cossacks retired with
loss of only two killed.
Doctor Matvieff, who was captured
bv the Japanese at Lao Yang says
that the Japanese are suffering severe
lv from dysentery and that they
begged his assistance in com ba ting the
disease. Japanese officers of the stat
are excellent linguists and many of
them speak English and German as
we'll as some Russians The japanese
army is living almost entirely on rice
and preserved foods, but it is comfort
ably equipped. many officers having
even arm chairs among their baggage.
The principal Japanese fear is for TO-
rage for their horses, for during the
winter the country is swept clean for
seven miles on each side of the railway
and the inhabitants are reluctant to
sell anything.