The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-26
Both Sides Resting Preparatory
to Another Slaughter.
CALM BEFORE STORM.
Every Indication of Early Re-
sumption of Fighting.
KurOpatkin Has Been Appointed
Commander n-Chief.

cate that the Russian and japanese
armies are not ready for the predicted
great struggle The two forces hold
their positions in entrenched lines
within short range and maintain a
continuous sniping and artillery fire.
Several unimportant affairs are report
ed, among them, what is described as
a weak effort on the part of the Jap
anese, to retake Lone Tree hill was re-
pulsed Beyond the general statement
that the position of both armies is I'M
changed no light is thrown on the dis
position of the forces.
Mukden, Oct 26.-There was no incl
dent of Importance yesterday. Both
armies are resting and preparing to
resume the slaughter. There is a runnor
among the Chinese at Mukden that the
Japanese are ready to attack.
Calm Before the Storm.
st. Petersburg. Oct. 26.-12:50 p. M
The quiet now prevailing at the theater
of war is considered to be only the
calm before a storm There is every in
dication of the imminence of the re-
sumption Of fighting on large scale as
the proximity of the two armies makes
At impossible for them to much longer
defer a renewal of the battle. The cor
respondents at the front are strangely
silent concerning the coming develop
reported and the continual reconnoiter-
ing of the japanese positions. it is re-
garded as certain that General Kuro-
patlxin has a perfectly free hand accord
ed him by his elevation to the post of
commander-in-chief and that he is about
to undertake an offensive movement.
Field Marshal Oyama is reported to be
certifying his whole line south of the
Shakhe river, showing that he is pre-
pairing to meet the Russian onset. Not
a ray of light yet has been shed
upon Kuropatkin's plans.
Viceroy'S Alexieff's order of the day
announcing Kuropatkins appointment
is in the same grandiOse- vein as Kuro-
patl1in's order of October and is re-
garded as having definitely established
the authorship of that ill-Starred docu-
ment. While Alexief takes particular
pains in turning over the supreme COM
mand of the land forces to Kuropatkin
to inform the soldiers and the world of
the marks of imperial confidence re-
posed in him and to announce that he
will remain as viceroy the order is con-
sidered as virtually his farewell address
and that ii will soon be followed by his
return to st. Petersburg. His elimina-
ton as q factor in the military situation
has caused a sigh of relief. The papers
all welcome the announcement of Kuro-
patkin'S appointment to the chief COM
mand as a well merited recompense for
the manner in which he discharged the
difficult role imposed upon him, and
reading between the lines as a promise
of better results now that Alexieff is
and there is no longer q
prospect of the elevation Of a grand
duke to the supreme command.
Russia's Reply.
London, Oct. 26.-I:1S p. m.-The
Russian reply to Great Britains note
on the subject of the North sea tragedy
has been received by the British gov
eminent. 1t expresses deep regret at
the occurrence and promises full
reparatiOn as soon as an official report
is received from Vice Admiral Rojest-
vensky.
The reply was received by Ambassa-
dor Benckendorff during the night and
was forwarded to Foreign SecreWmSy
LanSdowne in the shape of a formal
letter, In which the am baSSadOr acting
on cabled instructions from St. Peters, i
burg gave the above assurances. adj |
ding that while the Russian govern /
ment at the time of cabling was still /
withou official knowledge from it's /
own sources of the occurrence in the |
North sea. it feels so certain it was an |
error that it wishes at once to express |
Its regret and assure the British gov
eminent that full compensation will |
be made as soon as the details are re- !
ceived- A reply in identical language !
is expected to be handed to Ambassa- !
dor Hardinge at st. Petersburg today. |
KurOpatkin Reports.
st. Petersburg, Oct 26.-General Ku-
ropatlxin telegraphs that there was no |
fighting of Importance, October %. He !
adds:
"A desultory artillery fire was main
tanned all day long upon the front of
our right flank by both the enemy and
ION the night of October "a, Rus
mian volunteer SharpShooterS ambushed |
advancing Japanese outposts and fore
ed them to retire southwark. Another |
recovered a Russian gun |
carriage"
Both Armies Working Hard
Yentai Coal Mines. Manchuria, !
Tuesday, Oct IS, via Fusan, Oct. 26.-l
The two armies remain confronting
each other at close range along the en- /
tire lines. Both forces are working
hard at the construction of strong en- .
trenchments.
On the Japanese left the artillery is
exchanging bombardments.
Major Prince Carl Anton Won
the representative of the
German emperor with the Japanese
army, has arrived at Lao Yang and /
will soon visit the front.
Picked Up a Mine.
Chefoo. Oct. 26.-The recent storms
are believed to have torn many mines
loose. The steamer Irene, which ar
rived here this evening, picked up a
mine between New Chwang and Port
Arthur and towed it to this port.
Shipping Continues.
General Oku's Headquarters. Mon
day, Oct. "a, p. m, via Fusan. Oct.
2e.-The position of the opposing
armies is unchanged. Yesterday Rus
5ian cavalry drove back the Japanese
outposts on the extreme left. it in turn
before a detachment of Jap
lnese cavlary-
Desultory artillery fire continues
5aily and shipping goes on between the
in the trenches
Information regarding the reason
or the delay in making further move
nents is not obtainable.
New Rules for Prisoners.
Toxic, Oct 26.-Attempts to escape
assaults upon guards and various in
tances of refractory conduct on the
art of Russian prisoners of war under