Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-09-30
FATE OF CITY CANNOT
LONG BE DELAYED
Fighting Will Begin Soon If Russians
Attempt to Hold Town = Grand
Duke Nicholas to Succeed Kuro-
patkin as Commander.

VI MukQeu, anu Japanese cavalry lS
massing in the valley of the Pu river.
The latter is tributary of the Hun
river, which crosses the line of rail-
way midway between Tie pass and
Mukden, and may furnish a natural
line of advance from the west. Oya-
mas armies now apparently cover a
front of 60 miles for enveloping move
ments His wings are extended to the
north, east and west of Mukden.
Thus far the Russians have found lit
tie strength or pressure from the Jap
anese center. Oyama seems to be
moving with great deliberation, prob
ably gathering strength for a rapid
advance of both wings when an at
tempt is made to close the net AL
though the imaginary line connecting
the extreme Japanese advance cas-.
and west of Mukden still passes ten
miles below that city, it is evident
that the fate of Mukden cannot long
be delayed. If Gen. Kuropatkin in
tends to try to hold the city fighting
on his TANKS will begin almost i'm
mediately.
Await News of Battle.
St. Petersburg. Sept. 2S.-News OF
the battle Of Mukden is hourly ex-
pected. The Japanese are crossing the
Tsaitse river at the rate of 1000 a
day. Apparently large force is now
marching direct on Tie pass, north of
Mukden, on the Lao river, by a road
from Tsianchan, which passes 100
miles east Of Mukden. When this
fresh turning movement is sufficiently
advanced general movement against
the Russian forces is anticipated.
1t is reported that the Japanese ei-
forts are being retarded by disease.
Daling is necessary for the complete
success Of the move and it is stated
that the mikado's men have not yet
penetrated this defile.
Japanese Advance Stopped.
The general staff has received the
following dispatch from Gen. Sakhar-
OF, dated Monday:
THE enemy's vanguard, consisting
OF one battalion and two squadrons OF
cavalry, has assumed the offensive,
probably for reconnaissance, in the
district between the mandarin road
and the heights of the village Of
Toumytsa. His advance was stopped
by our troops. The enemy retreated
along the whole line, pursued by our
cavalry. The enemy has not yet ad-
vanced north of Davan, ON the left
bank of the Lao river, but an in
creased force has been observed in the
neighborhood of Sianchan. japanese
cavalry have appeared in the valley
of the Lao river"
1t is reported that the Japanese lost
1900 men killed during the night at
tack on Port Arthur September 10.
The Russian warships, it is added,
rendered valuable assistance in re-
pulsing the japanese.
The New Commander.
The designation of Grand Duke
Nicholas Nicholaievitch, the inspector
general of cavalry, as commander in
chief is regarded as practically set
tied. Some of Gen. Kuropatkin's
friends still cling to the hope that he
may yet be appointed, especially If he
now achieves notable success against
Field Marshal Oyama, but the idea is
not shared in the best informed cir
cles. The situation at the front with
two and perhaps ultimately three big
armies is considered to demand above
all else that the supreme commander
be of such personal authority as to be
beyond jealousies and the possibility
OF intrigue on the part of subordi-
mates, and such a man the emperor
now realizes can only be supplied by
> member Of the imperial family.
Grand Duke Nicholas will not rely
upon a single adviser, but on a staff
comprising the ablest strategists of
the general staff. who in reality will
constitute board of direction of mill
tary operations. Moreover, the off,
GERS who are best acquainted with
Grand Duke Nicholas believe he may
develop military genius of a high or
der.
Viceroy Alexieff is regarded as al
most certain to return here The re-
port that he may become chancellor
Of the empire, however, is exploded.
He is more likely to retain his title
and come to st. Petersburg, nominal
ly in the capacity of adviser of the
emperor, and will thus efface himself
as factor of the military situation
in the far east.
Fall of City Again Rumored.
st. Petersburg, Sept. 2S.-While 10O,-
600 new men are being rushed to the
seat of war, the court hears the direst
reports from Port Arthur 1t is ru-
mored that the garrison in the far
east. pounded by shells from the
mikado's fleet and land batteries. has
already fallen; other dispatches to tho
official news agency declare Gen.
Stoessel has but one fortress left out
Of the seemingly impregnable chain;
that this is ready to fall, and that the
humiliation of the entire city by
mines is but question of hours.
Gloom pervades the war Office, and all
avenues OF news are closed.
Rear Admiral Wirens, in command
OF the Russian Asiatic fleet, is still in
the harbor of Port Arthur. He has
not dared to accept Togo's bold chal-
lenge for sea fight off the scene Of
carnage. The officials admit the task
Of escaping from the hsrbor 10 insur-
s. ssz