The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-29
Forces Now Number 300,-
900 Men.
WAREHOUSES; FULL
IN. Ravoir Gives a Graphic Pen Picture
Of the Armies in the Far East.
Gen. Kuropatkin Posses a
"Red DeyiI'' 10 Race up
and Down Line of Battle
lBv the Associated Presg. }

Chefoo, Nov. 2S.-General Kuropat-
kin is the possessor of a new twenty
horse nower automobile with which
he is able to rush at high speed from
one part to another Of the line twenty
five miles long, according to M. Ra-
voir, who reached here today from
Mukden. M Ravoir spent three weeks
with KuropatIlin. who wished to Sc
cure twenty automobiles specially con-
structed to carry ammunition sDeedi-
ly in emergencies. He will only use
them in winter when the Manchurian
roads are in excellent condition. On
his first trip in the new automobile,
General Kuropatkin's only comment
was
Il have the advantage of General
Shafter"
The Chinese now regard kuropat-
kin and his machine with superstitu-
Gus awe believing the latter to be an
atrociously powerful specimen of the
foreign devil
NJ. Ravoir said:
The two armies lie facing each
other, each having three fortified lines.
The soldiers of both armies live
mostly in caves behind their trenches,
which, when covered with snow, have
the appearance of great host of
polar bears waiting to spring at each
other. The caves are warm even
without fire. The Russian troops are
in the best of spirits and have un-
limited confidence in their leaders.
They expect General kuropatkin to
Gttck during the winter The Russian
forces now number 500. 000 men. The
cavahymen from the Don district are
superior to their Siberian comrades.
The for emrare intelligent, brave and
active and have fine powerful horses.
There are only a few hundred
wounded at Mukden and thirty thou
sand wounded at Harbin.
Il came out on the Siberian rail-
road when seemed to be doing its
tremendous work smoothly. The ware
houses along the railroad between
Mukdcu and IIarbin are full Of sup
plies. which are almost untouched, as
up to the present the army has sub
sisted chiefly OE the country.
"The handling OF IN Russian artil-
lery is improving while the Japanese
artillery fire seems less effective
OIigirall, the E;ussians did not con-
ceal their artillery which the Japan
ese quickly disabled. Now the RUS
slams handle and conceal their guns
with perfect science.
The belief is general at MukGen
that Port Arthur Will hold out tili
relieved. nc matter how long the
much expected Russian second Pa
ciGc squadron may take to reaching
the Far East.
General Kuro9atl1in is not talka-
| tive His only reference to the war
was.
The war IS progressing as
| WISH
"Fa still l'ves ir his railroad car
and the light IN his CfIce is burning
night dlId day. 1t is ,omnonly stated
| that the general ncXer sleeps. His
! Ulcers are not surprised at being
| called to a conference at amy hour
of the night. The generad's only re-
lation is az diner time when the ofi-
GERS. who are his guests number
scores. Wine is plentiful, but Kuro-
patkn drinks mineral water Every
Russion officer seems to have an un-
limited supply of money, the govern
rnent being lavish in its expenditures.
1T is my opinion that General kur-
| 0patkin will never retreat from
Mukden unless defeated decisivcly
and I think the next battle will be
Russian >ictorN."