Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-10
FIGHTING NOT SEVERE
Japanese Soon to Retire From
Bentsiaputze.
LOSSES WERE SLIGHT
RUSSIANS MOVING SOUTH WITH
GREAT CAUTION.
When the Supreme Contest Will Come
Depends Upon Circumstances
Joy in st. Petersburg.
LOSSES WERE SLIGHT

ST PETERSBURG, October 10.-The
mystification of the last ten days regard
ing the war situation is cleared UP by the
Knowledge that the Russian army is TAX
ing the offensive and explains the puz-
zling Mukden dispatch of the Associated
Press of October 6, reading: Something
unusual is in the wind. A great hustle is
now noticeable The streets are thronged
with hurrying crowds and innumerable
carts and pack mules
A dispatch to the Bourse Gazette from
Mukden says:
THE general situation at the seat of war
has materially changed. The Japanese
main army Is retiring southwark. Its
right wing has gone thirty miles south
ward evacuating Sianshan, Sinangai, Sal
matsze, Fenshui Pass and the neighborhood
of Kwandiansian. The Japanese are thus
giving up not only the positions which they
occupied after the battle of Liaoyang, but
places they haa previously taken
The capture of Bentsiaputze, which was
strongly fortified, and where it was re-
ported Gen. Kuroki commanded in per-
son, is officially confirmed. The fighting.
however, was not severe, the Japanese
retiring on finding themselves outflanked.
The Russian losses were only twenty-five
Russians Advance With Caution.
Gen. Kuropatkin is in the field personally
directing the forward movements of the
army which, it is understood is divided
into two strong columns. moving on each
side of the railroad. whence they will draw
their supplies. their fianks being assured
by no less than 40 squadrons of Cossacks.
The Russians are operating along a front
OF ha.tyx Forty five mill
tending from kaoutou Pass to Bentsiaputze
the east and across the Hun river to the
left bank of the Lao river on the west.
They are taking every precaution against
possible counter-attacks. throwing up en-
trenchments as they advance southwark.
Field Marshal Oyama. however has not
yet shown a disposition to strongly hold
his outer positions. The evacuation of
Bentsiaputze left the flank of the Japanese
pc sition al the Yentai mines unprotected,
and news of the abandonment of the mines
is therefore hourly expected.
The japanese appear to be concentrating
their forces in the Notifications formerly
occupied by the Russians on the right bank
of the Taitse river. which are exceedingly
strong, and they have an equally good de-
fense north and south.
The Japanese retired from Bentsiaputze
almost without struggle, fearing that
Gen. Mitschenko's Cossacks would
round the position and cut them off Bent
siaputze is of the highest Importance, COM
Fushun to Liaoyang and Benshu.
Engagement Near Mukden.
Private advices from Mukden, just re-
ceived, indicate that the artillery is al
ready at work An engagement is reported
to have occurred yesterday on the Russian
right flank fourteen miles southwest of
Mukden.
On the western front yesterday a party
of Caucasian scouts. while reconnoitering
fell into an ambush of two companies of
Japanese infantry, who fired volley at
the scouts. Before the latter could with
draw they lost ten wounded, including a
lieutenant. Kousoff. and one man killed.
Such news of the Russian movements as
may be given out without compromising the
advance is likely to be telegraphed by Gen.
kuIopatkin each evening, after the days
work in the field is over.
To Take Great Care.
A high officer of the general staff in
formed the Associated Press that Kuro-
patkin is prepared to advance with great
care but when the main collision will oc-
cur will depend on circumstances, the
movements of great bodies of men being
slow operations. Heavy lighting is hardly
likely before a week at the earliest.
only six miles separate the advance
lines" said the officer referred to. and
an advance or counter-advance might
preclpltate preliminary drlllleTy en-
gagement at any moment
1t is now evident that Field Marshal
Oyama. aware that kuropatkin is pre-
pairing to strike, instead Of extending
himself for the big Hawking movement
east, so much talked of, has recognized
the necessity of meeting the Russian ad-
vance by fortifying his positions north of
Liao Yang. The interval between the
eventual collision will doubtless be uti-
Iized by both sides in feeling out their re-
spective strength and dispositions and in
active skirmishing on the flanks, of which
the daring march of the Cossacks across
the Shakhe river, almost to the ientai
mines, is an example
Not until the combined movements of
Kuropatkin's army are In full swing south
ward will IL be seen whether Oyama intends
TO contest the present advance or fall back
on the fortified position north of Lao Yang,
where he would reverse the situation hith-
erto, the Japanese would for the first
time enjoy the advantage of fighting be-
hind defenses.
Strength of the Armies.
According to the estimates of the war
office Oyama's total strength is about
go goo men, of which 10000 are posted be-
tween the Hun river to the west and Bent
siaputze eastward, the remainder being
held in reserve at Liaoyang. Kuropatkin
dlsposes of nine corps. giving him perhaps
a slight superiority in numbers.
Lieutenant tenefAl tGlppenDerS. VINO Is
to command the second Manchurian army,
will take with him 10 the front a large por-
tion of the troops Of the Wilma military dis
trict over which he has had the command
for three years. Thus the bulk of the sec
ond army will be composed of men and
officers OF whom the general has intimate
knowledge. The 2d. Sd. 4th, and 10Th corps
are included in the district The mobiliza-
tion is already quietly proceeding.
With kuropatkin acting on the offensive
reinforcements will be pushed forward with
all possible speed. The first echelons of
the Sth corps are on their way TO the front
and IL is expected to start one corps of the
Wilma district within a fortnight The en-
peror will bid the troops farewell.
II Is now apparent that the Russians pro-
pose to make a winter campaign as they
did during the Russo-Turkish war.
Joy Throughout Russia.
The formal announcement that Gen.
Kuropatkin is at last strong enough to as
sumo the offensive. together with unofficial
reports that offensive movements against
the three armies OF Field Marshal Oyama
have been progressing since October has
sent thrill of 10y throughout Russia The