The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-16
Japanese Occupied the Russian
Base at Midnight.
Gen. KurOpatkin Was Again
Taken by Surprise.
Attacked i'm Front While Turn
ing Movement Was Made.
BURNED HIS STORES.
He Is Again Surrounded by
Marshal Oyama's Forces.
He Must Cut His Way Out or
Surrender.
Admiral Togo in Track of RO-
jestvensky's Fleet.
BURNED HIS STORES.

Tie pass is now in the hands of the
japanese and the broken Russian
army continues its retreat to the north.
No details OF the action have been re-
ceived and the ultimate fate of the
remnant of Kuropatkin's force is still
problematical. Another successful
hanking movement on the part of
Japanese would probably seal it's fate.
but it may be that the japanese are
not in condition to accomplish such a
feat after their exhausting efforts of
the past two weeks. General Kuro-
patkin evidently left Tie pass yester-
day and reports to St. Petersburg that
his army is falling back in good con-
dition. The next town of importance
in the line Of the Russian retreat is
Keiyuan. some 20 miles from Tie pass,
but its strategic value is not known.
Toxic. March 16.-The Japanese occu-
pied Tie Pass at midnight, March Is
Toxic. March -Noon--DetaiIs of
the occupation of Tie Pass have not
vet been received at Imperial army
headquarters. An ofscial bulletin re-
ports the action and that the japanese
are in hot pursuit of the retreating Rus
SLAMS, but it does not mention any par
ticulars about the fight.
St. Petersburg. March 16.-The news
from the front is again very serious.
Field Marshal Oyana is striking anoth-
er blow at the defeated Russian army.
In spite OF the exhaustion OF his forces
after the long y days struggle for
Mukden he has been able to organize a
fresh turning movement in the hope of
completing the victory won under the
walls of Mukden. Tuesdays attack up
on the Russian advance line at the Fan
river il is now evident was only a feint
while japanese columns were being
worked around to get in position to fall
upon the Russian rear and yesterday
the blow was struck, dispatch to the
Associated Press from Santfeupn
bringing to StPetersburg the first word
that battle was in progress north of
Tie Pass That General kuropatkin was
taken by surprise is q fair inference
from the manner in which Tuesday
night he abandoned the Fan river posi-
uons, leaving hurriedly that he
again was obliged to burn stores to pre-
vent them from falling into the hands
of the japanese. No clew is given as
to whether the japanese came down
from the mountains or struck in from
the Lao river The pass is practically
the gate where the mountains and Lao
river met and it commands the whole
northWard. With the japanese in be-
hind the Russian army at Tie Pass,
General kuropatkin's position is ex-
tremely critical. Once the japanese are
would have to cut his way out or sur
render.
Officially Confirmed.
Washington,f March 16.=The Japa-
nese legation has received a dispatch
from the foreign Office at Toxic which
"Our advance troops. pressing the
enemy everywhere, occupied Tie pass
At 1920 a. m. Thursday"
Another dispatch to the legation
Our detachment occupied sing
king on the 18th
still Want TO Fight
Berlin, March 16.-The German
government has been informed that
the Russian emperor has again put
aside all the peace suggestions and is
Gnshaken in his resolution 70 continue
the war. All the higher officers of
the far eastern army recently joined
in petition to Emperor Nicholas not
to consider peace. asking to be given
other opportunities to show the quail
lly OF RUSSIAN NaIOr. and representing
that although they have retreated
they and the army stin have the viii
to fight.
Traffic 1SeOpened.
New Chwang. March 16-Noon-l
Traffic on the Yenkow- Koupatnze-S Sin
mintion railroad was reopened today.
1t is probable that merchants ship |
ments OF provisions Will be unques-
toned in the future
The inhabitants of New Chwang are
jubilant over the capture of Tie pass.
which viii release as soon as the
river onens, a thousand iunks. which
have long been detained in the upper I
Lao river, having on board vast ac-
cumulauons of beans and bean cake. |
England Files Another Claim.
London, March 16.-The correspon-
dent at St Petersburg of the Times |
says Ambassador Hardinge has pre-
sented to Foreign Minister Lansdowne
a claim for 100000 for the sinking
of the British ship Knight Commander /
by the Russian Vladivostok squadron /
on June %, 1904.
Burned Their Stores.
Santoupu Ceight miles north of Tie
pass. NTanchuria. Wednesday. March
IS evening).-The Russians have
abandoned their advanced positions
on the Fan river. where the desperate 4
attack of the japanese yesterday. /
March Il, was repulsed, and have
fallen back upon the defenses at Tie
pass. Previous to the retirement the
supplies of wood ETC.. collected there