The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1905-03-18

thus barring the road OF retreat to
Telling.
The fate Of Russla's army in Man
ehuria depends on its ability TO check
Nogis advance.
Kouropatkln's right wing has been
crushed and thrown back upon Muk-
den by Oku's impetuous advance from
the southwest. The Russians lost an
enormous quantity OF stores.
To the south the Russian center has
been battling day and night since
Wednesday to hold OF Nodzu's divi-
sions. II Is reported that Nodzu has
taken Shahopu by assault and that
the Russians have been compelled 20
abandon their heavy guns along the
Sha river.
To the east, Lineyltch is holding
kurok's main force in check. but II
is reported that a division OF Japanese
cavalry, with twelve guns has swept
northward, far TO the eastward OF the
Russian left. In a wide turning move
ment.
The carnage has been frlghtful. II
is estimated that 100000 men have
been killed and wounded since the
general action began on March /.
The battle has been raging along a
front OF sixty miles since Wednesday.
March l. II has not been one battle,
but four. Official reports to 81. Pc
tersburg are meager. but apparently
what has happened Is this:
Kuroh advanced in force along the
roads leading TO Fuchun, and Gen.
Lineyitch fearing that his position was
about 20 be turned called for rein
forcements KouropatNn sent him an
army corps 10000 mem.
In the meantime Nod2u began re
peated attacks on the Russian center,
pressing Shabopu. poutiloff and NOV.
gorod SO vigorously that Kouropatkin
was compelled 70 hold his center In
tact unable 10 divert any part OF 1t
to the right wing or the left
Then, while the Russian center was
held in a death grapple with Nodzu,
Oku attacked the Russian right wing
and In three days drove IL back upon
Mukden
While these three battles were in
progress Nogi. with tho First, Sey.
enth and Ninth divisions. from Port
Arthur, swung from behind the screen
OF Oku's army and by forced marches
reached a position elk miles west OF
Mukden
Kouropatllu hastily collected a few
divisions and what guns he could
srare and sent them against Nogi
II Nogi shakes of his enemy his
road to TELLING is open.
only miracle az courage and gen
eralship can save Kouropatkin's army.
Sunday morning II was believed that
At the worst Kouropatkin, II driven
out OF Mukden, could withdraw his
army, guns and stores 10 Tie pass,
forty mites north
Sunday night the fear was openly
voiced that Gen. Nogi viii be able 20
rcnch the railroad before kouropatkin
can oxtricate his army from below
Mukdon
Deepest gloom poryades army cir.
cles in ST. Petersburg. II is believed
kouropatlin IS on the eve OF a tre-
mcndous disaster.
A council OF war was held Sunday
at Tsarskoo Solo. II Is said that the
car opposed ending hostilties. and
declared that he Will continue the
war oven II II Is necessary 10 retreat
across Lake Baikal.
Ii Is added that Grand Duke Nicho-
las and most OF the other grand dukes
and Gen. Dragomaroff opposed Gen.
Kouropatkin's methods. whereas the
emperor favored the commander-in-
chief and was also the warmest sup
porter OF Cen Soukhomlinoff.
The fate OF Gen. Kouropatkin and
his army hangs in the balance, de-
pending on the result OF the lighting
almost In tho outskirts OF Mukden
According TO latest reports Monday
morning the fighting went well for
the Russians, who beat back the wave
that threatened to roll over Mukden
as II had moved the Notifications OF
Port Arthur. but nothing Is known as
TO what Is going on beyond the line OF
breakers, whether part OF Gen Nogi's
force is In full career for Tie Pass
or whether the Japanese have staked
all ia cast against Mukden.
The immnencc OF tho peril on the
west wing has Withdrawn attention
from the operations on the center and
left where tho fighting has been OK.
tremely heavy. and on tho left espe
cially where the Japanese gains are
sufficiently great TO cause apprehen.
sion 60 themselves.
Military critics at ST. Petersburg
point out that tho Japanese have put
themselves In critical position by
the extreme extension OF their lines
laying themselves open as they did AT
Llaoyang TO the possibility OF a most
effective counter stroke and probable
defeat II Gen Kouropatkin should be
able 20 launch n column against
weak link IN the chain.
In other respects the situation also
MEXICAN VOLCANO is ACTIVE