Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-10-07

causing severe losses. The Russians
calculate that the total losses of the
japanese for the four days fighting
reach twenty thousand men. One
Japanese battslion, composed of the
remnants of two companies was an
initiated in the trenches, which they
refused to desert. In one - V
only twelve japanese on
thousand survived.
The information at
War Office is that the Japa1
during the Port Arthur siege la
been $4,000 killed or wounded.
Finding it impossible to hold Lhe
Russian forts, even when they are
captured, owing to the enfilading
6re, the only alternative left the
Japanese is to cut off supplies and
communications. The failure OF the
latest Japanese attempt to drive out
the Port Arthur fleet and reduce the
fortress has led to the decision that
the japanese must go into winter
quarters, Japanese officers admitting
that General Stoessel is making a
superb stand. The Japanese army
will probably settle down to a WIN
ter's seige and endeavor to starve out
the garrison.
MANoEUvERING IN THE NORTH.
Snow is falling in the mountains
around Mukden, and both sides are
playing for positions ia the expected
great battle near Tie Pass. After
the coming battle both armies will
| go into winter quarters.
tits believed the next battle between
Marshal Oyama and General Kuro-
patkin viii take place near Tie pass,
north OF Mukden, and that the Rus
sian commander is holding Mukden
merely to delay the Japanese advance.
General Oku is across the Hun river,
making turning movement to the
west. According to military opinion
General Kuropatkin will have to
send force to attack him, but this
is difficult, owing to the mysterious
movements of General Kuroki.
The main force of the Russian
army has retired to the north Of
Mukden. Strong bodies of troops
have been thrown out to defend both
Hanks, and the southern approaches
to the city have been carefully
mined. The indications are that no
serious attempt will be made to hold
Mukden. Thirty thousand refugees
In Mukden are in the direst poverty.
According to the best estimates
obtainable, the japanese army con-
fronting Gen. Kuropatkin comprises
grand total of $50 battalions.
Allowing 500 men to a battalion,
there are 144,0 900 infantry. In addi-
ton, there are $500 cavalry and 63S
guns. This force of approximately
100000 is divided into three armies
and is encircling Mukden, with a
front extending 60 miles.
Sharp fighting has occurred near
Mukden, resulting in the Japanese
driving in General Kuropatkiu's
outposts. The japanese have cap
tured Da pass and are pressing on
General Kuropatkin's left flank. 1t
is believed the Russians abandoned
Da pass without serious resistance.
Other passes of the Da range are in
the hands of the japanese.
The delay in the resumption of
the aggressive by Marshal Oyama,
according to the best information, is
due to the necessity of making good
the losses which he sustained at
Liaoyang and to the bringing up of
stores aud munitions. But the
preparations for an active forward
movement of the japanese now seem
to have been completed, and seri-
Gus collision is regarded as imminent.
Russians intimate that should the
Japanese commander much longer
postpone the offensive it is possible
that Kuropatkin, with increasing
fresh accessions to his army, may
himself decide to strike.