The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-18

Rome, May lS.-AccOrdlnS TO a Iele-
gram received here from Toxic, two
Japanese divisions have arrived near
Mukden with the object of cutting off
Kuropatkin's line OF retreat north
ward.
A Flank Movement.
London May 1s.-The correspondent
at Shan Hal Kwan of the Daily Chron-
icIe, cabling under date of May II,
says that the Japanese troops landed
at Kai Chai both Sunday and Monday
meeting with opposition. The Daily
Telegraph Newchwang correspondent
cabling under date of May II, says:
The Japanese with a large feet Of
transports and warships appeared at
Kai Chau yesterday morning and
opened a terrific bombardment against
the shore defenses. which were silenced
by four o'clock in the afternoon. The
Russians retreating to Tasni ChaO.
THE Japanese troops landed and are
today advancing rapidly, outfianking
Tashi Chao and New Chwang.
Russians Are Surprised.
London, May 18.-No further news
has reached London throwing light
upon the appearance of Japanese
troops northeast of Mukden or tnd1-
eating by what route they reached
that point so unexpectedly. The Jap
anese are so successful in hiding their
movements that it is only possible to
guess at them from the vague indi-
cations in Russian official dispatches.
According TO the Standards Tien
Tsin correspondent, General kuro-
patlSin has left for Harbin, Viceroy
AleXief still being at Lao Yang with
10000 troops.
It is noticeable that Russian Off
cial dispatches seldom name the place
whence they are sent.
A question greatly discussed in the
London papers this morning is
whether General KurOpatkin has sue
ceeded in ascertaining that the Japa-
neSe are threatening his rear so near
the Mukden line and has been en-
abled to begin a retreat, or whether
he has elected to fight. In any case
it is considered that any day may
bring news of a great battle in this
district, as the transport difficulties
are believed to be SO great as to make
It almost impossible for General
kuropatkin to effect rapid retire
ment
Indefinite reports continue to reach
London of japanese bombardments of
Port Arthur and Dalny.
The Standards Odessa correspond
ent confirms the report that General
Kuropatkin' s aggregate force for the
pending battle do not exceed 100000
men
Shanghai dispatches report that the
Chinese are greatly gratifed at the
vfcerOy of Mukden to re-esta blish the
administration of Antung and induce
Chinese traders to return and resume
business.
Armies in Contact
Paris, May 18.+The Journals NIuk-
den correspondent says:
Important events are imminent
The Outposts of the two armies are
already in contact in the zone north
west Of Feng Wang Cheng. The Jap
anese army advancing on Lao Yang
is estimated at one hundred thousand.
A persistent rumOr, which is not con
hrmed officially has it that another
Japanese corps is executing a hanking
movement on some point between Lao
Yang and Mukden.
According to the best informa ton
there are no less than 10000 jap
anese in Manchuria.
Port Arthur Has a Rest.
London, May 18.-A dispatch to the
Central News from Lao Yang dated
today says that according to news
which reached there today from Port
Arthur there have been no further at
tacks on the beieaguered port since
May 13. The Japanese who landed
at PitseWO, 1t is added, appear to be
pushing preparations for a land at
tack, which it is expected will be ac-
cOmpanied by a renewal of the bonn
bardment, the Japanese operations
having for their object the clearing
Shooting of Japanese Spies.
st. Petersburg May 18.-Details
have been received here from Harbin
regarding the execution, April 21, of
the two Japanese officers, Yukoka and
Okio, for attempting to dynamite
bridges and destroy telegraph com
munication on the Eastern Chinese
railroad. The prisoners admitted that
they were part of a detail numbering
lou men whose purpose it was to de-
stroy the railroad at various points.
when told they must have been ex-
trenely brave, they replied: mot at
all; We were only carrying out our
duty and the order of the mikado. -
Both prisoners were executed April
21, between the new and old towns
of Harbin, in the presence of a large
crowd. They were shot A strong
guard was thrown about the sDOt to
hold back the public at a distance of
400 yards.
Battle of Balloons.
St. Petersburg. May $3.50 P. M
The admiralty received today an Off
cial dispatch from Rear Admiral
Wittsoeft, believed to have been dated
from Port Arthur, May IA reporting
that there has been no fighting ahoat
since the telegraph line was cut. the
japanese ships not having attacked.
Everything was well with the Russian
squadron. The dispatch was gratifying
to the authorities not only for the news
it contained, but because its recent
tablished the fact that while the teIe-
graph line is severed d system of COM
municatiOn by means of Chinese run
ners has been satisfactorily Inaugural
ted. In order to deliver the Lao Yang
6fspafcheS entrusted to him the runner
had to pass through the japanese lines
already thrown across the narrow neck
of the peninsula, just above Port Ar
thur for the purpose of cutting all COM
rnunica ton between General Kuropat-
liz hn he 100 .f