The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-10-07
MAY CUT JAP Lines
OF COMMUNICATION
IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS ON
EASTERN FLANK OF MAN
CHURIAN ARMY.
OFFICIALS SILENT
AS TO THE DETAILS
Report of japanese Victory at Muk-
den Denied-Chinese Bandits Are
Said to Be Fighting with Mikado's
Troops.

AAoSt<'s
St. Petersburg, Oct 8. - Important
developments on the eastern flank of
the Manchurian army are admitted by
the war Office to be proceeding. The
details, however, are withheld for STRAIT
egic reasons, the authorities departing
from silence only to the extent OF say
ing that the Russian cavalry is execut-
ing important movements, leaving it to
be surmised that it is trying to cut the
Japanese line of communications and
thus defeat the flank advance.
An absolute denial is given to the
Shanghai telegram reporting that gen.
eral engagement at Mukden has been
won by the Japanese. The war office
even declares that nothing is known of
serious fighting there. 1t is pointed out
that the reports of the Russian retire
ment from Mukden are disproved by
Fridays telegram from Gen. Sakharoff.
showing that Gen. Kuropatkin's outposts
are as far south as Yentai.
Further reconnaissance continue
and indicate that the Japanese forces
are still crossing the Taitse river at Ben
sihu, indicating that the center of gray
ity remains east of the railroad. The
Japanese apparently have not yet sue
ceeded in drafting sufficient men thither
to drive home their thanking opera
TONS
Bandits Fighting with Japs.
Considerable significance is attached
to Sakharoff's report that Chinese ban
ditsa are fighting in the japanese ranks in
the Lao river valley. Thenin conjunction
with the attempt of bandits to cut the
railroad between Mukden and Hardin,
this reveals the existence of wide
spread japanese organization of bandits
west of the railroad.
The news from the front is extremely
meager and many confusing statements
are made 1t seems questionable
whether Field Marshal Oyama is ready
to assume the offensive. The army or
gan is still expressing skepticism of an
immediate advance. This paper is in
clined to attach great importance to the
stories of the widespread prevalence OF
disease among the japanese troops.
Russians May Take Offensive.
No late news is obtainable of the
wide japanese turning movement east,
which is regarded as the chief feature
of the Japanese operations. Should
Oyama be compelled to abandon the idea
of an advance it is intimated in Muk-
den dispatch that it is possible, with
fresh troops constantly arriving, that
Gen. Kuropatkin may attempt some Of
fensive operations.
Mail advices from VladivOstok say
the defenses around that town have
been completed and that everything is
prepared should the japanese attempt
operations on the line of forts and bat
teries. The surrounding forests have
been cut down in order not to obstruct
the zone of fire. Zigzag roads lead to
the batteries.
The torpedo boat destroyers Rezoy,
Prouzitelny, Prozorlivy, Grozniy and
Gromki have been ordered to be pre-
pared to join the Baltic fleet at Reval,
October 8, which is considered sure in
dication that the fleet will not sail be-
fore then.
First Stage of War Over.
Mukden, Oct. 8. = The prolonged ac-
tivity on both sides, emphasizing new
situation, clearly shows that the battle
of Laoyang was rightfully described as
the end of the first stage of the war, max
ing necessary the adoption of new tao
tics by the Japanese and rehabilitation
in order to meet the proved fact that if
the Russians are caught in decisive
conflict it must be on their own ground
and terms and with their full knowl-
edge. 1t is therefore supposed that the
Japanese are intrenching, but it is not
improbable that they will still attempt
| 4 f1anking movement east. The contest
has reached stage possessing what
ever dignity is due in war to antagonists
having the highest mutual respect and
has entered upon the more serious ap-
| plication of the uncertain war period.
| 1t is notable that both armies have
ceased determinations or attempts to
make capital from unconvincing and dis
| credited stories of torture and the use of
| tllegltlmate weapons and also the mis-
| use of the white and Red Cross figs, while
| the petty treatment of prisoners has dis
| appeared and there is more liberal in
depreciation of the exigencies of the
conflict
| 1t is estimated that 10000 Chinese ref
ugees are now at Mukden, but the ma
lives appear unintelligent In view of
the possibilities of the situation, the ma
| tive authorities are storing grain outside
The fighting line preparing against fam
inc, though such state of affairs would
necessarily be restricted on account of
the abundance of the crops.
The aspect of Mukden and it's environs
is now one of dust and desolation.
The natives have fled and the wooden
PARTS of their houses have been used for
| irewood.