The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-03-15
RUSSIANS
FALL BACK
Cars Army to Retire for
ReinfOsCements.
800, 900 MEN WANTED
Possibility of War with the Chi
nese Makes Large Force
Necessary.
100000 MEN WANTED

ST PETERSBURG, March 15.-Gen-
tral Zilinsk has reported as follows:
Our patrol has discovered four Of
the enemy's posts on the Chongcheng
ano river and troop Of cavalry act
ing as scouts near Patetchen, north
west of Anju A japanese cavalry pa
trcl fell into an ambuscade prepared
by our patrols and were dispersed, los
ing one killed. The japanese left be-
hind them a quantity Of gun cotton
and some swords and blankets.
The enemy's ships explored Helena
bay and the shore opposite Senutchine
with searchlights during the night
According to information which has
been verified, the japanese have not
made any attack north Of Gensan.
The population along the Tumen
river is favorable to us"
There is no truth in the report that
the Russians have abandoned Port Ar
thur Admiral Abaza, secretary Of the
commission on far eastern affairs, Of
ficialIy denies the story.
The best Russian information obtain
able at Port Arthur and Newchwang
admits that the governments inten-
ton is TO fall back until it can COM
plete the mobilization of 100000 troops
for the purpose of assaulting and OPP
posing the japanese and probably POO,
600 more to oppose the Chinese.
Advices from Yinkow say that the
local Russian authorities are apparent
ly incensed and manifestly much an
noyed at the solicitous inquiries of the
commanders of foreign gunboats re-
garding the projected blocking of the
LAO river before the arrival of the
japanese. which latter event is regard
ed as foregone conclusion.
President Roosevelts recent procla-
nation regarding the observance Of
neutrality by all officials and the alb
stention from either action or speech
which might cause irritation to either
Japan or Russia has produced a great
impression here. The newspapers
print prominently articles commend
ing the substance and spirit of the
proclamation in the highest terms.
A Newchwang report says that after
the removal of the battleship Retvizan
four Russian steamers, the Harbin, the
Hailar, the Ninguta and the Sungar.
were anchored at the mouth of the
entrance to Port Arthur in proper po-
sition and sunk, leaving only small
channel available, Vice Admiral Maka-
rolf having previously ordered the
whole fleet to remain outside with
steam up, economy in coal being un-
necessary.
General Kuropatkin's train, in which
he is now making his way to the far
east, is composed of locomotive, ten
der, three cars and break van. The
cars are covered with steel over three
inches in thickness, and it is practical
ly an armored train.
A private telegram says that in
Thursdays fighting at Port Arthur the
Russians lost ninety seamen killed and
forty taken prisoners.
1t is said that Vice Admiral Maka-
rolf will adopt the offensive and make
desperate attempt to bring together
Russia's scattered naval forces to en-
deavor TO inflict damage upon the Jap
anese navy. Vice Admiral Makaroff
has issued orders to the effect that the
saving of coal is unnecessary, but that
the big gun ammunition in the forts
must not be wasted. Evidently this
ammunition is running short.