Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-11
A THRILL OF JOY
In Russia at Announcement That ku-
ropatkin Means Business.

St Petersburg Oct. 10.-1.13 L. NJ
Tie formal announcement that Cen.
kurOpatkih is at last strong enough 10
assume the offensive together with
i uofficial reports that offensive move
lnents against the three armies of Field
Marshal Oyama have been progressing
since Oct 4. has sent thrill of joy
throughout Russia.
The announcement which had been
awaited patiently through the long.
weary months of diScoUrag cement and
defeat had an instantaneous effect.
The public buildings at street corners
uron wticE were posted copies Of Ku-
rupatkin's order of the day were sur
rounded by crowds, really cheerful for
the first time since the war began.
Last night. at Il Russian club where
Gen. NrltHhkO, the engineer who forth
fed Lao Yang. was delivering a lecture
in defence of kuropathin'S abandon>
mcnt of that place tn" reading of tho
order created n scene of enthusiasm
and Il telegram was sent to kuroDatkin
expressing the deepest satisfaction ana
mistaken confidence in his leadership
ami pr3tising his chivali Gus act, saying:
Like the Russian warriors Of old. you
have warned the enemy that you are
advancing against him.
All the papers acclaim the tidings
with intense satisfaction. at the same
time warning thu public not to harbor
illusions and saying they must he pre-
pared for the heavy sacrifices involved
in attacking 50 powerful and deter
mined Il foe.
The Nov0e Nremyl terms it "Nuro-
patkin's reply to the pismy squalls Of
the little Napoleors who have criticized
him" adding: God grant that the
Russian eagles, which 50 long have
been preparing their wings, may sue
cessfully make Il long flight to the re-
lief of the heroes y no have been So
bravely defending Port Arthur If
Kuroputkin is now successful, the post
of supreme commanders chief. his
friends believe, is sure to be his re-
ward"
The mvstifcation Of the last 10 days
regarding the exact situation is cleared
up by the knowledge that the Russian
army is taking the offensive and explains
the puzzling Mukdrn dispatch OF Tie As
! soCiated Press OF oct t. reading:
! " something unusual is in the wind. y
great hustle is now noticeable. The
: streets are throngcd with hurrvin.s crowds
ana innumcrdhIv carts ANA pack mules >
I The capture of I5entsiaputze. which was
/ strongly fortified and where it WAS REPORT
| cd that Gen. kuroM commanded in per
son, is officially confirmed. The fighting.
however, was net severe, the japanese
retiring on finding themselves outilanhed.
| The Russian losses Were only - killed or
wounded. INCLUDING an officer.
\ high officer of the general staff in
f,l.rT ,..l Associated q =
Hurupatkin is prepared to advance with
1 great care hut when the main collision
will occur will derend upon circumstances,
the movement OF great bodies of men be
hardly likely before a week at the earliest.
only. six miles separate The advance
lines. said the offiC er referred to, and
an 3dVance or cOuntrr-advancc might
pr"cipitate a preliminary engagement at
any moment.
Ii is now evident that Field Marshal
Oyama. aware that Kuropatkin is pre-
pairing to strike. instead Of extending
. himself for the thanking movement east $
; much talked of, has recognized the neceS
I Sity of meeting the Russian advance by
terrifying his positions north of Lilac
, Yang. Tn" interval between the evfntua
collision will doubtless be utilized by 5otf
! sides in feeling out their respective
: strength and dispositions and in activ'
! SkirmiShing on the Hanks. of which tn
daring march of the CosSackS against tn
Shakhe river almost to the Gcntai mine
h is an example. Not until the combine,
q movement of kur"patkins army is in fui
, swing will il be seen whether Oyama in
L tends to contest the present advance o
r fall lack on the fortified positions norti
: of J.iao Yang where he would reverse IN
situation hitherto, as the japanese wonl
> tor the first time enjoy the advantage o
= fighting behind drf"nreS.
According to the estimates Of the WA
Office Ovama'S total strength i ahou
$4,000 men, of which 15poop are post"
= tween the Hun river to the west an