The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-09

Ihere is no news from the far east
either from Russian or japanese sourc-
es For the world watchers of the great
tragedy the curtain has been dropped
and all Is conjecture. Not even an ex-
preston of opinion comes from lana.
hese sources. but from ST. Petersburg
IL Is indicated that authorities are con-
ndent the critical stage OF the Russian
retreat is passed and that Kuropatkin
Is no longer in danger OF ioosing any
part OF his forces to the pursuing Japa-
nese. The Russian commander has ar
rived at Mukden. and IL Is given ont in
81. petersburg that the bulk of his
army is now near there. while a dis
patch from Mukden 30 the Associatad
Press, filed Tuesday saws the main
RUSSIAN army is pushing northward
and evacuating that place 1t Is indi-
Gated that the japanese are still har-
assing the Russian rear.
FURTHER than this nothing is known.
An absolute news silence prevails
81. Petersburg. September 7.-5:35 D.
m.-The bulk OF the Russian Manchu-
rlah army is near Mukden where II
now appears, General Kuropatkin has
been since Monday. His troops. fl IA
understood, are not entering the CITY
Tut are taking up prepared positions
around Mukden. While there is no spe-
cific information on this point the gen.
eral stan believes that only a small
rear guard is in the neighborhood OF
fentai. No further fighting of impor-
lance Is expected south OF Nukden.
Inc critical stage Is regarded as having
passed and the announcement was
made this afternoon that the war office
VIII no longer give out two bulletins
each day.
Toxic, September Is p. m. The gem
eral staff has not yet made public any
details of the battle OF Lao Yang. The
people are still celebrating the victory
but there is considerable speculation
| over the official silence regarding Gem
eral kurokfs movements since Sunday
Ii Is reported that the japanese now
| in the ravages Of fire captured vast ac-
| cumulations of Russian stores and am
| munition at Lao Yang. The report
| that Lieutenant Teraouchi. son OF Lieu
tenant General Teraouchi. minister OF
| war. was killed in the fighting before
Lao Yang is denied today.
| Mukden, Tuesday, September 6.-(De-
layed IN transmission)-Part OF the
Russian army, which is coming to Muk-
den by wagon road. is in danger of be-
ing cut off. All day and night Monday
| the japanese in the hills on The east
| road shelled the Russian troops In
| one instance the japanese infantry at
tackled large force OF Russian infan-
try and artillery which had taken TO
the hills, running parallel TO the Japa-
nese, in protecting the flank OF the
| retreating army.
Troops. guns and transports. are
pouring into Mukden BY train and road.
Considerable transport WAS left behind.
The roads are in a frightful state.
owing to the heavy rain Monday.
The main Russian army pushing
northward is evacuating Mukden..
| Paris, September s.-The St. Peters
burg correspondent OF the Echo De
Paris says:
a great battle is going on before
Mukden. The first and seventeenth
corps are engaged against General Ku-
rcki- General Kuropatkin with the bulk
or his troops is moving toward Telling"
St. Petersburg, September $50 a.
m The general staff Is not displaying
| great anxiety over the report that
General Kuropatkin is in danger of be
ing cut off.
The members also decline to say tha,
they know whether General Kuropat-
kin purposes taking his army north OF
Aukden- An officer Of the general stat
| said 10 the Associated Press wednes-
day night:
II believe IL Is safe 10 say that. Cen
eral Kuropatkin.s army Is now out o!
danger. Our advices since Monday In
dicate that fighting is Of an insignih-
can't character, and / do not beiisge
that the tired troops are capable oi
seriously threatening the line OF re-
treat. The greatest difficulty our army
Is row having TO contend with is the
terrible roads owing to IN Grain o. Moa-
day and Tuesday. Our Information Il
that the bulk Of the baggage has al
: ready passed through Mukden. This Is
fho rzuaf rroceadure In the case OF auy