The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-05
Russians Are Being ShelIed by
japanese Before Mukden.
Watch Tower Has Been Bonn
barded for Two Weeks.
IN THE SAME VILLAGE
Detachments of BOthArmiesAre
Holding Positions.
Oyama's Force In Better Posi-
tiOn Along Whole Front.

Mukden, Nov. 5.-via Pekfn-The
uninterrupted activity conspicuous be-
tween the opposing positions, that on
the plain and on Hung Pao hill, oc-
cupied by the Japanese and on Mana
Ion hill, named after a Russian gen
eral, daily threatens a formidable out
break From Hungpao, the capture
of which by the Japanese was report
ed on October IL, by the correspon-
dent of the Associated Press, the jap
anese are now shelling the Russians
with captured Russian guns and the
resulting feeling among the Russians
indicates that this spot, which is the
most prominent along the entire line,
will doubtless initiate the coming
battle.
Occasional casualties are reported at
| Pienchiapu on account of its exposed
! position, as the apex of an aggregat-
| ing wedge used against the japanese
right. At the Shahopu station is a
water tank which the Japanese are
using as a watch tower, from which
the Russian artillery has failed af-
ter an attempt lasting more than
fortnight to dislodge the enemy on ac-
count of its being such a small target.
The japanese still possess an elevated
temple in the quadrangle west of Lin
shenpu, while the combatants occupy
separate parts of the same village.
The advantage of position appears
slightly In favor of the Japanese
along the entire line.
The women and children of Fen
chiapu, near Ia mountain, arrived at
Mukden on November 2, after a 20
mile tramp. The Russian authorities
facilitate the movements of refugees
by allowing them the use of numerous
bridges over the Hun river. The use
Chinese
together with the destruction of
buildings, has caused the ChienSe
themselves to pull down their houses
and sell the timber which otherwise
would be lost completely. In conse-
quence of this General Kuropatkin has
ordered that the houses shall be pre-
served for the reason that they are
necessary for the Chinese and also
useful to the army.
The soldiers are now mostly in dug
out cantonments along the siege line,
robustness hitherto unobserved. The
soldiers are bearing their unusual
hardsh1ps, sometimes having only one
meal daily, insufficient clothing and
The chiefs orders are
now dated at headquarters for land
and naval forces in conformity with
his new appointment.
Capture Wantai Hill.
Toxic, Nov 5.-4 D. NIT is re-
pied Wantai hill. sank several trans
ports and have set fire to a battIeshin
at Port Arthur. There is no confirma-I
ton of the report.
Wantai hill is one of the extensive
semi-circle of forts defending Portl
Arthur 1t is situated in about the
center of the semi-circle, between the
ANTI mountain forts and Sunchow
fort, which is situated on an adjoining
hill The capture of Wantai hill, i'll
has been pointed out in dispatches
from Port Arthur, means the dividing
of the eastern fortified ridge The
Japanese had previously and unsuc-
cessfully attacked Wantai hill, par
ticularly during the latter part of |
August.
Russian Fleet Sails Westward.
Tangier. Morocco, Nov 5.-The en-
tire Russian fleet of warships, accom- |
panied by ten colliers and a hospital |
ship. sailed from here this morning. |
They took westward course
Carnage Was Awful.
St. Petersburg, Nov. 5.-Great relief |
is felt irf view of reports indicating |
that the Japanese assaults on Port
Arthur have been unsuccessful A |
direct report from the Russian consul
at Chefoo says he has received infor-
nation from Chinese sources that the
Japanese finally relinquished the at
tempt on November 8, the mikado's
birthday. after losing enormously.
awful.
Japanese Failed Again.
Chefoo, Nov. 5.-Informatfon has
been brought by Chinese that the six
days of bombardment and desperate
efforts on the part of the besiegers to
take the fortress of Port Arthur
ceased on Thursday. The Japanese
took fort No. 8, but were unable to
hold it. The Japanese losses are re-
ported to be enormous.
Leaving V1adivostok.
Chefoo, Nov. 5, S:45 p. m.-The
Norwegian steamer fungus arrived
here this evening, five days from
carrying 700 Chinese
refugees who were unable to live at
Vladivostok any longer owing to the
war. A terrific gale makes the land
ng of the refugees impossible today,
but one Chinaman succeeded in
the shore. He said the for
ng in number and strength. and that
he fortress is strongly garrisoned, but
he Russians do not expect an attack
IN the part of the Japanese and have
40 intention of invading Korea this
winter.
Russians Charged With Cruelty. /,
Toxic, Nov. 5.-A statement issued
rom imperial headquarters tonight
charges the Russians defending Port
Arthur with the misuse of Red Cross
adges and with the maltreatment or
Killing of Japanese wounded.
1t is charged that the Russians sent
lrmed men wearing Red Cross badges
nto the japanese lines, ostensibly for
he purpose of seeking their wound
ID Aut really with the object of recon-
loitering the Japanese positions, and
hat for this reason the Japanese de-
,fded to consent to a short armistice
n order that the wounded might be
uccored and the dead buried. J
The statement instances the case OF I