Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-05
THE ARMIES BELOW MUKDEN.
Occupying Opposite Hills, They Await
Active Hostilities.

MUKDEN, November 5.-The unnter-
rupted activity conspicuous between the
opposing positions that on the plain and
on Hungpao hill occupied by the japanese,
and on Manalon hill, named after Russian
general, daily threatens formidable out
break. From Hungpao, the capture of
which by the Japanese was reported on Oc-
tober IL by the correspondent of the AsS(
ciated Press, the japanese are now shell&g
the Russians with captured Russian guns
and the resulting feeling among the Rus
slams indicates that this spot, which is the
most prominent along the entire line, will
doubtless initiate the coming battle. Occa-
sional casualties are reported at Pieu-
chiapu on account of its exposed position.
as the apex of aggregating wedge used
against the japanese right. At the
Shahepu station is water tank which the
japanese are using a watch tower, from
which the Russian artillery has failed after
an attempt lasting more than a fortnight,
to dislodge the enemy on account of it be-
ing such a small target.
The Japanese still possess an elevated
temple in the. quadrangle west of Lin
shenpu, while the combatants occupy sep
arade parts of the same village. The ad-
vantage of position appears slightly in
favor of the Japanese along the entire line.
The women and children of Fenchiapu,
near Ia mountain. arrived at Mukden on
November 2. after twenty-mile tramp.
The Russian authorities facilitate the
movements of refugees by allowing them
the use of numerous bridges over the Hun
river. The of all Chinese timber by
the soldiers.Ntogether with the destruction
of buildings, has caused the Chinese them
selves to pull down their houses and sell
the timber, which otherwise might be lost
completely. In consequence of this Gen.
Furopatkin has ordered that the houses
shall be preserved, for the reason that they
are necessary for the Chinese and also
useful to the army.
The soldiers are now mostly in dug-out
cantcnments along the siege line. giving the
war an appearance of seriousness hitherto
unobserved. The soldiers are bearing their
unusual hardships. sometimes only one
meal daily insufficient clothing and also
posure. with great hardness. The COM
mSnderin-chiefs orders are now dated al
HEADQUARTERS for land and naval forces in
conformity with his new appointment.
Japanese Reinforced.
The Russian and Japanese armies are now
so close together that maneuverng is al
most impossible. The japanese are confin-
ing themselves to occasional night attacks,
during which they shell the villages occu-
pied by the Russians. In these attacks they
wounded several Russian officers. In return
parties of Russians have penetrated the
japanese villages at night, causing tempo
rary panics. On one occasion the Russians
succeeded in throwing two bombs into the
Japanese officers quarters.
1t had been reported here that the Japa-
nese would determinedly attack Port Ar
thur on November 3, the japanese en-
peror's birthday, and it is believed that
Field Marshal Oyama is awaiting news of
the result of this attack before advancing
against Gen Kurooatkin.
The Japanese already have received large
reinforcementS.
After week of most spring-Iike weather
the thermometer fell 20 degrees last night,
and the first snow of the season is falling
today.