The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-14
KUROPATKIN
WAS FOOLED.
Russian Commander Deceived by
Marshal Oyama's Tactics.
Misjudged Position and Strength
of His Foes.
DISASTER Is GREAT.
Dead Left on the Field Placed at
$4,000.
Prisoners Fifty to Sixty Thou
sand and 20 Guns.

With General Kurokfs Army in the
Field, Northeast of Nukden. March H.
Every hour increases the magnitude of
the disaster suffered by the Russian
armies.
Twenty-Five thousand dead are known
to have been left on the field, making
the casualties at least one hundred
thousand. Between fifty and sixty
thousand prisoners, some seventy guns
and enormous quantities Of ammuni-
tion and provisions fell into the hands
Of the japanese.
The Japnese losses do not exceed
those of former great battles, even Gen
kuroki's army losing only 5000. Field
Marshal Oyama's plans completely de-
ceived General Kuropatkin. The Rus
sian commander misjudged the posi-
tions and strength of the Japanese. He
at first thought that General Nogi's
Port Arthur army was pressing his east
flank, and concentrated his great force
there
This force he was afterwards
obliged to shift to Mukden, where it
arrived in a state of exhaustion after
a forced march, and was unable to
fight. A retreat from Mukden began
March 9. II became a demoralized
flight when the Russians discovered
that their egress was being blocked
by japanese infantry and artillery
from the east. The rapid approach
of the Japanese was a complete sur
prise to the Russians. who expected
that their retreat would be harassed
only by Japanese cavalry from the
westward
on last Saturday morning one
division of japanese encountered sew
eral Russian regiments retreating alonS
the road to Tie Pass. The japanese
descended from the hills upon the Rus
slams who attempted to break through
the line. After sharp enga cement, in
which the japanese guns did great ex-
fcution four thousand Russians surren-
uered with ten guns
The japanese lost one hundred.
According 90 stories told by the cap
tured Russian officers and the appear
ance produced by their troops, the re-
treat lacks organization, every bat
talon shifting for itself
Heaps Of Russian Dead.
japanese Left Armies. Wednesday,
March s. via Yingkow. March 1S--De-
layed in transmissiOn--From noon un-
til dark yesterday the left column of
General Oku's army fought desperate
fight near Likampu. seven miles north
of the river Hun and five miles west OF
the railway. The Russian forces out
numbered the japanese three to one.
The Russians. who had been heavily
reinforced from south. rushed out Of
their trenches to meet the advancing
japanese and d nerce hand 10 mana
fight followed, the soldiers using their
bayonets and the officers their sabres
The Russian casualties were over TO-
600 killed and wounded and the Japa-
nese little over 5000. The Russian
dead were left on the field in heaps,
among them many STAFF officers
Last night part of the extreme left
army reached the railway between
Mukden and Tie Pass. destroying it.
thereby preventing the trains from run
ming north.
Tne Russians are today retiring in
large bodies. along the main highway.
Believing that there is fully one Japa-
nese division across the railway. a large
force is now holding the main road to
cut the Russian retreat. 1t was fOrtu-
nate that more of the left army was
across the railway last night. as it pro-
badly changed the outcome of the bat
tie.
Without the railway the Russians can
not remove their wounded north, nor
the heavy guns which probably will fall
into the hands OF the Japanese The
Russians in the center near the rail-
way began retiring at midnight. The
Japanese pursuing briskly captured a
Few heavy guns and machine guns. The
right wing Of General OlCu's army is to-
day attacking Sujatun station, ten
miles south of Mukden. The station is
at the junction OF the projected HSin-
mingtun railway. The station is we'll
fortified with heavy works which were
Etubbornly defended. 1t was the center
of operations against the villages north
of the west angle of the railway line
where the Russians have strong works
which were calamity defended. The
Japanese at noon occupied the villages
on the main highway five miles south
of Aukden, continuing their pursuit of
the Russians who hastily retired tow
ards the north. Large bodies of
Russians have heen moving steadily
from Mukden northwest along the high
The battle south of AIukden today be
came almost pursuit, the center fol-
lowing the retreat. the wings holding
the line giving the extreme left time
to firmly establish its position astride
the railway. Everything now depends
upon the strength of this force and it's
ability to hold the railway and to throw
where the badly organized Russian
transport column Will probably break
down.
More SpOiIs.
Toxic. March I'LL a. ma tele-
gram received today from headquar-
ters in the field says:
IN the direction of SingChing our
forces have been dislodging the enemy
from Yingpan. eighteen miles east of
F'ushun, and on March IL occupied that
place.
In the direction of the Shakhe river
all of our forces are continuing the pur-
suit of the remnant of the enemy. and
many Russian officers and men are sur
rendering to our train guards in the
mountainous district east of Tie Pass
road.
Additional spOils taken in the direc-
ton of the Shalkhe river are wagons and
carts captured southeast of ShiuliSoutzu.
They exceed 1000 loaded with gun am
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