The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-03-09

quarters that the day has gone badly
with Gen. Kuropatkin, that the Russian
center was broken and that 13 heavy
siege guns had been captured by the
Japanese. If this is true, it is pointed
out here, the battle is lost. =
Hope Rapidly Vanishing.
All hope that Gen. Kuropatkin will be
able to turn defeat into victory is rap
idly vanishing. The position of the
Russian army has been growing increas-
ingly desperate during the last "a hours.
The gravest danger is from the Japanese
left, which has been pushed northward
on the Sinmintin road to point eight
miles northwest of Mukden, where it
has joined fianking column from the
west around the village Of Tatchekiao,
which is located at this point.
The battle ragged with terrible bitter
ness throughout Monday with all the
reserves hurried to the scene to block
the stroke at the Russian line Of COM
munications.
Gen. Baron Kaulbars, who is defend
ing this wing, is only able to hold his
own. On account of the desperate sit
uation there Gen. Kuropatkin has not
attempted to drive home his counter
stroke at the Japanese center and his
offensive, which was abortive, has been
abandoned. At the same time, encour-
aged by the progress of the main turn
ing movement west, Gen. Kuroki again
pressed forward from the east Monday
against Gen. Linevitch, forcing the Rus
slams to give ground.
At the war Office it is said that the
Japanese siege guns from Port Arthur
with a range of eight miles are caus-
ing terrible punishment. Nothing can
stand up against them.
Line of Battle IA Miles Long.
Mukden, March 8.-Fighting of the
fiercest nature, which is likely to decide
the fate of the battle which has been in
progress for ten days began at dawn
Tuesday, and has continued uninter-
ruptedly on front IA miles long west of
the railroad and on line with the
Shakhe river. The Japanese also have
made desperate attack on Bentsia-
putze, and reports are arriving here that
fighting was renewed Tuesday morning
on the extreme left Of the Russian army.
Both sides are fighting with despera-
ton to the westward, though the troops
are we'll nigh exhausted. The issue Of
the battle may depend largely on the
relative physical condition of the rank
and file. In its main features the COM
bat is very much like that at Liaoyang,
eh hz a1N 30
crush the fianking force victory may be
regarded as won. The losses in the ten
days of battle on both sides are already
far greater than were the casualties in
the battle of Liaoyang, and are likely to
increase as the days pass before the is
sue is fully decided
Attacks Repulsed.
Beginning at two O'Clock a. M, the
Japanese made a succession of desper-
ate attacks on Gen. Tserpitsky's divis-
ion on the west front, south Of Mukden,
repeating the assault at intervals of two
hours, with constant reenforcements.
About SO. 900 Japanese, with 200 pieces of
artillery. participated. All the attacks
were repulsed, there being enormous
losses in both sides. One extremely i'm
portant position changed hands several
times. Finally, Gen. Tserpitsky. on
horseback, placing himself at the head
of his troops, led his regiments to the
attack with colors flying and music
playing. The attack was successful.
After it was over the victorious soldiers
crowded around Gen. Tserpitsky, shout
ing his praises and even kissing his
hands and feet. The Russians captured
several quick-fire guns and many Japa-
nese prisoners, including officers.
1t was reported that Maj. Gen. Germ