The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-10-20
Underhanded Tactics OF the
Russian Troops.
INTERNATIONAL OFFENSE
Japan Protests against Violation
Of the Supplementary
Rules Of War.

| LONDON, oct 20.-A special from
| Tokyo says that the japanese govern
ment has decided TO draw the attention
| of the Russian government to the 'un-
lawful action of Russian troops in us
ing Chinese costumes. The notice will
be served through the American state
department, which will be transmitted
through the American embassy at St
Petersburg.
A memorandum issued by the foreign
office says that on oct body of in.
fantry belonging TO the Russian Third
regiment Of sharpshooters wearing
Chinese costumes attacked the ,Iapa-
nese force on the Mukden road and
that Russians similarly clad approach
ed the Japanese lines and attempted
surprises, Different reports received,
il is charged. Indicate that the Rus
slams are purchasing enormous quaint
ties of Chinese costumes
The memorandum points out that
combltantS not properly uniformed are
liable to punishment as offenders
against the laws Of war and that par
ticipation in fighting without uniforms
is Il violation of international usage.
an unlawful act and contrary to the
meaning of article % of the supple
mentary rules of the convention gov.
erning the laws and customs of war
on land.
1t is pointed out further that this
action Of Russian troops will prove a
source OF great calamity to innocent
Chinese who will thereby he exposed
to danger owing to their inability from
distances to distinguish the Russian
soldiers from real Chinese.
A dispatch from ST. Petersburg Sc
verely Criticises the Russian general
ship in the latest battle and declares
that the information from Mukden in
dicates an early evacuation of that
town by the Russians.
AdviceS from Tokyo say that the
Russian concentration in front of the
armies of Generals Oku and Nodzu
1.-THE left and center respectively, re-
ported by Field Marshal Oyama, ere
ated the impression here that the Rus
slams were planning to assume the ag-
gressive and that another great battle
was imminent, but il is now thought
that General Kuropatkin Is merely
seeking to protect his right and rear
in order TO gain time to withdraw his
army across the Hun river. because it
is believed that ii will be impossible
for him either To move aggreSSiyely
against the Japanese or to hold his
position on the Shakhe river.
There is n popular impression here
that affairs at Port Arthur are reach
ing a crisis, and it is believed that the
end is only a question of days.
The Japanese advance is ten miles
south of Mukden. The Russians have |
built heavy defenses two miles south |
of the Hun river where they are ex- |
pected to make a stand. There are |
no natural defenses at that point.
Advices from St Petersburg this |
say that for the moment |
heavy rains and impossible roads |
have compelled a suspension of opera
tons In Manchura. There was prac- /
tically no fighting yesterday and none
whatever last night.
There is evidence Of a new disposi-
ton of the forces on both sides. Gen
oral Kuropatkin is extending his right,
with view to turning
movement for the safety of Lone Tree
hill the Importance of which point is
fully realized by the japanese, who
have attempted TO retake il in two
night attacks. or whether TO meet and
.hwart a japanese turning movement
from the west, has not yet developed.
The Japanese also appear TO be shift
ng weight to the westward.
Yelled hints continue TO arrive that
he Russians have recovered from the
blow inflicted last week by Field Mar
'hal Oyama and that General Kuro-
)atkin is preparing to renew the strug
lie as soon as the roads become dry.
Two dispatches from Mukden last
light mention reports that the Japa-
lese already are preparing to retire.
md the war office admits that Kuro-
,atkin's left has again moved slight
y forward, but there is no light upon
he movements of the japanese.
Many critics here continue to be-
ieve that General Kuropatkin intends
o return to the line of the Hun river.