The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-04
No Advance of the Japanese.

ST. Petersburg Oct. 1, 1:30 a. M
a dispatch from General Sakarof re-
celVed by the general staff tonight
brings the record of events up to Sep
tember 80. 1t shows that the Japan
csc advance on the eastern side in the
region of BentiaputZe has been
checked. This movement still appears
to be an outpost affair. not accom-
panied with serious fighting, no ad-
vance of the japanese in force having
occurred uD to the date mentioned
The operations to the west of Muk-
der have extended 26 miles down the
Hun river, where the Japanese were
temporarily driven out from Tschan-
tan and II supply boats were burned.
1t is possible that this raid,is Identical
with that one reported by the ASSo-
ciatcd Press from Mukden, though in
the latter it is stated 10 have occurred
upon tlIe Lao river. In any case it
shows that the Japanese are using the
river to- bring UP supplies and that
Their operations are being opposed,
they not having succeeded ir ap-
preaching nearer than Tschantan
along the line of the Hun river.
The forthcoming changes in the
naval command, announced by the
Associated Press. have become the
subject of widespread discussion.
The necessity for the changes is gen.
orally admitted, but whether En-
perOr Nichols will give immediate
effect to reorganization is uncertain
Meanwhile. Vice Admiral Avellan re-
quests that a formal denial of the
news of his retirement from the min
istry of marine be made public.
The numerous friends and sup
porters of General Kuropatkin de-
clare that events justify their predic-
ton that he. after all. will be ap-
pointed chief in command of the
armies in the far east. and the En-
peror has reconSidered his intention
of sending out Grand Duke Nicholas
chief According to their version the
first army will be placed under COM
mand of General Lubovitski. now
commanding the ninth army corps at
Kieff and the third army under Lieu
tenant General LineVitch-
Quarters are being prepared at the
winter palace for Viceroy Alexieff.
upon whom the Emperor intends to
bestow a mark of signal honor to
prove that his return in no wise is
in the nature of a disgrace
Kuropautkin May Assume the Often
Sive.
st. Petersburg, Oct. l, 5:02 o. M
Important developments on the east
admitted by the war office to be pro-
ceeding. The details, however. are
withheld for strategic reasons, the, au-
thorities departing from silence only
to the extent Of saying that the Rus
sian cavalry is executing important
movements, leaving il to be surmised
that it is trying to cut the japanese
line of communication and thus de-
feat the flank advance.
An absolute denial is given to the
Shanghai telegram reporting that
general engagement at Mukden has
been wo nby the Japanese The waI
office even declares that nothing 4.
known of serious fighting there II
is pointed out that the Russians re-
tirement from Mukden are disprove6
by yesterdays telegram from Saka-
rolf showing that General Kuropat-
kin's outposts are as far south as
Yentai
The news from the front is ex
tremely meagre, and many confusing
statements are made. 1T seems ques.
tionable whether Field Marshal
Oyama is ready to assume the often.
sive. No news is obtainable of the