The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-11-04
CONFLICT IN FAR EAST

Last night the Japs attacked the
Russians southeast of Mukden and af-
ter an all-night struggle captured a
village. The battle continues to-day.
Directly south of the city, on the
Shakhe river, an artillery duel was
kept up throughout the night.
The Russians made several attacks,
but were repulsed. They are attacking
again to-day, but without success SO
far as reported.
Japs Take Russian Positions.
Mukden, Oct. 20. - News has just
been received that the Japanese yes
terday assumed the offensive on the
east front and made a slight advance.
1t is rumored that the Japanese have
taken all the Russian positions at
Erdagou, between Huansian and Fin.
diapu, on the road from Mukden to
Bentsiaputze, but the report has not
been confirmed and looks improbable.
Russians Make a Move.
There was a reconnaissance in force
last night by the Russian right flank
and desultory firing until 2 o'clock in
the morning. The Japanese we're dis.
covered to be in small force along the
whole line, but this Ices not preclude
the possibility of an attack by them.
1t is the general opinion here that i'm
portant events will not develop for a
few days. but Judging from the hurried
manner in which the Chinese are set
thing their money affairs in Mukden
they are of a different opinion. This
morning desultory firing was heard
along the western front. The whole
army is delighted with the appoint
ment of Gen. Kuropatkin as command
er-in-chief of the land forces in the
Far East. The whole
Desire Of the Men
is to advance. The general opinion is
that when the fight comes it will be of
a desperate character. Every precau-
ton has been taken by the Russians
to deal generously with the Chinese
who have suffered through the fighting
in their territory. Not only has a spe-
cial commission been created for the
purpose Of paying for all food and
age COIuIlldluSti GU, DuJ COIIlDcIlSd-
ton is ararded for houses In villages
destroyed. This curse has astonished
the natives beyond measure, and there
have been many remarkable scenes
during the disbursements of the com
mission. Chinese who have suffered
by the loss Of property fell upon their
knees and thanked the Russian Off
GERS for repayment
Jap Attacks Are Repulsed.
Sharp skirmishing between the Jap
anese and Russian troops on the
Shakhe river is reported by Gen. Kuro-
patkin, who also says that several at
lacks by the Japs have been repulsed.
Both Russians and Japanese are in
trenching their positions. The out
posts are within 100 yards of each 9th.
err and less than four miles separate
the main armies. A scarcity of fuel is
causing the soldiers to suffer greatly
since cold weather set in.
st. Petersburg has information that
the Japanese army confronting Gen.
Kuropatkin Is receiving heavy rein
forcements from the Port Arthur army
and direct from Japan.
A Japanese forward movement is
daily expected. and it is believed that
there is heavy fighting ahead.
Russians Turn Japanese Flank.
st. Petersburg. Oct. rs. - There is
no change in the relative positions OF
the armies on the Shakhe river. Gen.
Sakharoff te%legraphs that the Rus
slams have been bombarding Lamu.
ting and the Buddhist temple at
Linshinpu, while the Japanese have
Shakhe and nea Linshinpu. Al AS.
ISOLATED Press dispatch from Mukden
reports that the Japanese are fortify-
ing an important height south of
Shakhe and that neither side shows
a disposition either to advance or re-
tire. Another Associated Press dis
patch from the Russian front says
he situation is not yet ripe for the
resumption of the offensive. This
meager but
Significant Admission,
all that the ensor allows to pass
over lHe wires, DOuDUteSS InQlCdCeS
that Gen. Kuropatkin is maturing i'm.
portant plans and distributing his
forces in readiness for another at
tempt to break the Japanese resis-
lance. The roads are now dried by
wind and frost; the cold is intense,
and flooded fields have been frozen.
Thus military movements are facili-
tated, though at the same time it will
be more difficult to carry on intrench-
ing work.
An Associated Press dispatch from
the Russian front gives a rumor that
Several Brisk Sklrmishes.
With the country enveloped in
thick fog and the roads in wretched
condition. activity for the time being
is impossible for either the Japanese
or the Russian army south Of Mukden.
There have been several brisk skirm-
ishes and some surprises Of a minor
character. but the lifting of the fog
r,,0 ~o~1~I@ -, 80