New-York tribune., 1904-10-17
CAR ORDERED ADVANCE.
Port ArthurS Plight Caused MOUe,
Russian Prisoners Sag.

Toxic. Oct. 16-According to statements made
by Russian prisoners. General Kuropatkin was
ordered by Emperor Nicholas to make stand az
Moukden and TO assume the aggressive as speed
lily as possible In order to relieve the Port Ar
thur garrison. This order. the prisoners say.
reached 5Ioukden on September p. and General
Kuropatkin in obedience to 1t, began his disas-
trOus southern advance movement. An extended
report dealing with the statements Of these pris-
oners follows:
According to statements made to SOfficers OF
the GENRE army by Russian prisoners whom
they had captured, the enemy had received IN
formation that the strength OF the garrison at
Port Arthur was being daily reduced, and that
the garrison was in a disastrous condition. Fresh
Russian reiuforcemeuts Were constantly arTiV-
ing at Manchuria from Europe, and the strength
of the forces under General Kuropatkin IN the
neighborhood of Moukden had reached TO over
nine army corps. TheTeUpon, the prisoners said.
the Russian Emperor on September % ordered
KuropatkiD not TO retire step beyond Mouk-
den, and directed him. circumstances permitting,
70 assume the offensive as quickly as possible.
and to drive the Japanese out OF Southern Man
churia, In order 70 rescue the Port Arthur gaTFt-
son.
Acting under this command General Kuropat-
kin advanced with his whole strength TO the
south OF Moukdeu dividing his forces into three
columns. the centre. right and left. The centre
column, composed Of the First. Fourth and
Soloeff, advanced toward Tung- -Shan-Kcu and
Lin-Hua -Moun-Kin. The left column. which
was composed Of two corps under General
Stakelberg advanced against the Japanese right.
The right column which was composed Jf three
corps. advanced against the japanese left. Be
side these. ore corps held in reserve. was fol-
lowing the centre column.
General Lnevitch. commanding the field fight
ing force in the Ossouri district. taking
devious read from the cast, and advancing tow
ard the southeast OF Liao-Yang for the pur-
pose Of threatening the line of a possible Japan
ese retreat. General Mistchnko. andng
six regiments of Dragons. operated on Line
vitch's right.
The centre column was disposed as follows
on the left and the Fifth Corps in rear OF the
centre. The Fourth Corps consisted of the
First and Fourth Siberian Reserve divisions.
Four batteries OF quick firing guns were attached
TO each division.
The prisoners declared that the war would
continue for a long time. because the Russians
had decided to attain a 1nal victory. regardless
OF the losses which might be involved as other
wise defeat would mean a general revolution
and the dislntegration OF Russian territory.
During one engagement the Thirty-seventh
Division. especially the First Brigade sustained
extraordinary losses. The first company of the
l45th Regiment annihilated on San Kuai-
Hsi Mountain. and many ine officers were
killed. wounded or captured The Third Siberian
Reserve Division sustained the greatest losses.
AT the beginning of the the Russian reCi-
rents numbered 1000 men each. After the bat
tie at Lao-Yang each OF the regiments was re-
duced to a strength OF about :. 800 with the ex-
ceptIon of the 18th Regiment which as a re-
suit Of this battle. reduced 10 500 This
regiment, after the battle. Wss commanded bl-
l captain, the battalions being in command Of
sub-lieCtenants. while older privates directed
the operations Of its companies