The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1904-09-07
TO ABANDON MUKDEN I?
A Report From St. Petersburg
That 1t Is Contemplated.

Report That kuropatkln's Retreat
Has Been Cut off-Chnese Official
Says Russian Troops Are Leaving
Mukden For the North - Men Dis.
pirited and Much Sickness Prevails.
The forces Of Kuropatkin and Oya-
ma are racing for Mukden. This
much stands out in the news of Mon.
day, and 1t is indicated in a report
forwarded by Kuropatkin, who says
that his retreat is being conducted in
perfect order, though the Japanese on
Sunday repeatedly attacked his rear,
and continued the attack until Mon.
day. The result of the race is in
doubt.
The united Russian forces are now
north of Yentai, station on the rail.
way about 10 miles northeast of Lao
Yang. They are pushing on to Muk.
cen, to which the bulk of the Japanese
forces is marching direct, after having
swarmed across the Taitse river A
strong Japanese flanking column is
about 30 miles northeast of Lilac
Yang and Is trying to get between
the Russian forces and Mukden.
With this race In progress there
comes brief dispatch from Mukden
saying that preparations for the evac
uation of that place are proceeding
This report If well founded would
mean the abandonment of the whole
Of Southern Manchuria and the wind.
ing up of the present campaign.
1t was reported in St, Petersburg
at late hour Monday night that Kuro.
ratkin's rear guard had been almost
annihilated and that the main Russian
army was In danger of being sur.
rounded.
KuropatlSir in his report makes no
mention Of the abandonment of 20C
guns at Lao Yang, rumor to which
effect Is in circulation.
Advices from Port Arthur by way Of
Cbefoo bring the fighting there up tc
September 2 and say the Japanese
losses were very heavy.
London, Sept 6.-The Daily Mali
this morning prints a dispatch from
Sinmintin, dated Sept 5, giving a re
port that General Kuropatkjn's re
treat has been cut off.
The dispatch goes on to say that
the Russian troops had advanced in
strong force to the southeast of Muk
den as far as TAPPING Hill to oppose
any possible attack in the direction of
their advance.
A Chinese official who arrived from
Mukden Sunday says that the Rus
sian troops are leaving for the north
that there are $4,000 men 10 miles tc
the east of the city. that the officers
and men have become dispiritcd and
that much sickness prevails.
St. Petersburg, Sept. Cit is i'm
possible to obtain any statement from
the authorities regarding the report
ed preparations for the abandonment
of Mukden.
This is the first intimation that such
a course is contemplated. If it turns
out to be true. 1t means the abandon
ment of TIE whole of Southern Man
churia and the winding up Of the pres
ent campaign.
In fact, should Mukden he evacuat
ed, there would be no point for winter
ing the army CT quarter of million
with its many wounded short of Har
bin.
On the other hand the evacuation Of
Mukden would give Field Marshal
Oyama commodious winter quarters
and the practical control Of two lines
of railway The Kinchou-Sinmintir
line, tapping rich Chinese territory
stops little short of Mukden, with
which it is connected by good wagon
road.
The report of the prospective evac
uation of Mukden, If well founded
would indicate that the gripping ef
feet of the Lao Yang fight on Kuro
patkin's army Is more serious than
has as yet been intimated.
Mill c,.,ir,poipo Reeord | owered