The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1904-10-14

st. Petersburg, Oct. 1.-THE formal
announcement that Gen. Kuropatkln Is
at last strong enough to assume the
offensive. together with unofficial re-
ports that offensive movements agalnse
the three armies of Field Marsnai
Oyama have been progressing since
October 4 has sent thrill OF JOY
tkrough Russia. The telegram wnlcn
has been awaited patiently for months
of announcement and defeat had an
instantaneous effect. The public pui-
letin boards at the street corners upon
which were posted copies OF kuropat-
kin's order of the day, were surround
ed by crowds, really cheerful LOT the
first time since the war began.
Sunday night, at q Russian club,
where Gen. Velitchko, the engineer
who fortified Lao Yang, was deliV-
ering a lecture in defense OF kuro>
natkin's abandonment of that place,
the reading Of the order created a
scene of enthusiasm, and a telegram
was sent to Kuropatkin expressing tne
deepest satisfaction and mistaken con-
Adence in his leadership and praislng
his chivalrous act, saying:
T,ike the Russian warriors OF old,
you have warned the enemy that you
are advancing against him.
Acclaim the Tidings.
All the papers acclaim the tidings
with intense satisfaction, at the same
time warning the public not to narpor
illusions. and saying they must be pre-
pared for the heavy sacrifices involved
in attacking SO powerful and deter
mined a foe.
The Noyoe Vremya terms 1t "kuro-
patkin's reply to the pigmy squeaks OF
the little Napoleons who have criti-
cized him." adding: God grant that
the Russian eagles, which SO long
have been preparing, may successfully
make long fight to the RELIEF OF the
heroes who have been SO bravery de-
Tending Port Arthur"
If Kuropatlxin Is Successful.
II Kuropatkin is successful, the post
of supreme commander-in- chief, MS
friends believe, is sure to be his re-
ward. The mystification OF the last
10 days regarding the exact situation
is cleared up by the knowledge that
the Russian army is taking the offen-
sive and explains the puzzling Muk-
den dispatch of October 6, reading:
Something unusual is in the wind
great hustle is now noticeable. The
streets are thronged with hurrying
crowds and innumerable carts and
pack mules"
CAPTURE of Bentsiaputze.
The capture of Bentsiaputze, which
was strongly fortified, and where, 1t
was reported, Kuroki commanded IN
person. Is officially confirmed. The
fighting, however, was not severe, the
Japanese retiring on finding tnem-
selves outfianked. The Russian losses
were only 25 killed or wounded, in
Guiding an officer.
A high officer of the general stan
said that Kuropatkin was prepared TO
advance with great care, but when the
main collision will occur will depend
on circumstances, the movement OF
great bodies of men being slow opera
tions. Heavy fighting is scarcely like
ly. for week, at the earliest.
Pushing Reinforcements.
With Kuropatkin acting on the Of
fensive, reinforcements will be pushed
forward with all possible speed.
The first echelons of the Eighth
corps are on their way to the front
and it is expected to start one corps OF
the wilma district within a fortnight
The emperor will bid the troops fare
well.
1t is now apparent that the Russians
propose to make winter campaign,
as they did during the Russo-Turkish
war.
MESSAGE TO THE NATION.