The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-10-11
RUSSIANS TO ATTACK
kURoPATkIN's FORCES At LAST
BEGIN ADVANCE AGAINST
THE JAPANESE.

Mukden, Oct. 10.-The Russian for
ward movement has begun and Bent
siaputze has been captured with a
small loss. .#. ....#
In order to get a clear understand
ing of the situation it may be stated
that two days ago the Japanese had
ten divisions confronting the Russians
north of the Taitse river. Their left
flank, consisting of two divisions, was
on the railway at Sandiapu, thirty
miles southwest of Mukden, and close
to the Hun river. Their center, COM
prised Of four divisions, occupied the
railway between Liaoyang and Chan
diaudzi, twelve miles north. Two
nor divisions occupied the extreme
Japanese right along the road be-
tween Bentsiaputze and Bensihu. Their
front extended about fifty-two miles.
The position at Bentsiaputze was
strongly fortified and intended to with
stand attack. 1t is reported that Gen
eral Kuroki was there in person. The
Japanese had omitted to fOrtify one
hill, which was the key to the position.
The Russians, aware of this omission,
made q wide detour eastward and
seized the hill with little opposition.
1AC I'LL Ol1CO OCCNPACO CAPOSOu LAO
whole Japanese position to a heavy
flanking fire. The Russians also turned
the Japanese right, and the fortified
positions, thus becoming u%ntenable, the
Japanese were forced to withdraw hur-
riedly from Bentsiaputze, fighting a
read guard action in which they suf-
fered heavily. The Russian losses
throughout were small, although severe
opposition had been expected.
General Mistchenko's Cossacks had
been harrying the Japanese outposts
for several days, and were entirely
successful in q number of engage
ments.
Russian Advance Began on Oct. f.
The Russian southern advance be-
gan on Oct. 4 with the occupation Of
Shakhe, q railway station. The next
day the station. which had been dis
mantled by the Japanese, was restored
by the railway brigade following i'm
mediately behind the fighting line,
and the anne brigade also restored the
bridge across the Shakhe river. On
| Oct. 6 General Mistchenko advanced
almost to the Yentai mines, driving in
the Japanese outposts with heavy loss
at the expense of only one killed and
five injured.
The Russian forward movement be-
ing made in the heaviest marching Or
| der, one sees everywhere whole COM
panies Of which every man carries q
large knapsack on his back, q rifle on
his shoulder and q large kettle or tea
pot slung to his waist. while hanging
from his belt ia the cartridge case in
front and a big wooden water bottle
and an axe. pickaxe or spade On either
side. Altogether with ~overcoats the
equipment weights 100 pounds. The
soldiers move steadily and cheerful
ly, though the column looks more like
q pack train than an army.
First. aid stations of the Red Cross
are organizing. and the nurses are
working untiringly everywhere. Doc.
tors and sisters of charity are going to
the front over heavy roads, but are
cheerful and devoted as ever, in spite
Of the imminent prospect of nor of
the difficult and dangerous work un-
der fire which won them the undying
gratitude of the army at Liaoyang.
Chinese reports of the Japanese
Increment state that Lieutenant Cen
era Fugi with two divisions is NOV
ing to flank the Russians. His force
is already on the Lao river within
twenty-five miles of Sinmintin. A
simultaneous movement. it is under
st4od, is being carried out by General
K4roki to the eastward, with the OBJ
jedi Of striking the railway and flank
ink the Russians of Mukden as was
done at Liaoyang; but the conditions
now are rather different.
SITUATION is VERY PECULIAR.
EAeh Army Trying to Cut the Others
Communications.
st. Petersburg. Oct. 10.-General
KNropatkin's orders Of the day an