The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-01
KurOpatkin Appears to Have
Stopped Japanese Advance.
Replied to KurOki's Onslaught
by a Counter Attack.
TOOK SHAKHE BRIDGE.
General Battle in Progress and
Result in Doubt.
Gen. StOesseI Meets a Cool Re-
ceptiOn in st. Petersburg.

st. Petersburg, March News from
Manchuria is of the most important ma
ture- The Associated Press dispatch
from Mukden which was transmitted at
noon OF Tuesday indicated that a gem
eral battle was beginning along the
whole of the 100 miles of front occupied
by the two armies. General Kuropatlcin
appears to have taken a leaf out of
Field Marshal Oyama's book and re-
piled tc General Kuroki's attack on the
Russian left by a counter attack on the
Japanese left, in which General Kau-
bars initial success is better for the
Russian than the success of Gripenberg,
the Russia vanguard being established
at the outskirts of Sandiapu. At the
same time General Kuropatkin deliver
ed a blow against the Japanese center,
Selling a railroad bridge across the
Shakhe river These reports therefore
give a more hopeful aspect to the stu
alton as the Russian army, though dri-
ven out of Da Pass. appears to have
succeeded in stopping, at least for the
moment the further advance Of the
Japanese eastward and beaten off the
attack on the center.
The effect of yesterdays development
on General Kuropatkin's reported in
tention to 0ithdraw from the Shake is
problematical. Retirement in the face
of an enemy, which is extremely haz-
ardouS under any circumstances is
doubly dangerous when the armies are
graphing in a general engagement;
but if General Kuroki succeeds in roll
ing up the Russian left much further
the perilous expedient may become
necessary. The counter strikes on the
right and center may possibly be in
tended to cover the withdrawal Of
trains and stores. If, however, General
Kuropatkin is determined to stand and
fight out the battle on the line which
he has held during the winter and if
he should be able to administer Wig
orous check to General Kuroki he has
secured a good position for his second
move in the great game.
Japanese Claim Victory.
Toxic. March 1.-5 p m.-The
HEADQUARTERS Of the Japanese army on
the Shakhe river telegraphing yester-
ssrhe enemy's batteries at Tungyou
mountain an dthe northern height of
Tangchiatun commenced ombardine,
at o'clock today. We did not reply.
Monday night the enemy's field
guns at Shupangtai and heavy guns at
Wenchengpao concentrated their fire
on our OutpOsts in the vicinity of the
railroad bridge. At / in the morning
five companies of infantry advanced on
either side of the railroad and sur
rounded our Outposts. Finally part of
the enemy charged into our trenches
fight Our posts had repulsed the
enemy entirely at in the morning.
The enemy left SO dead some prison
erS and some SpOilS.
Small bodies of the enemy at Wan
chiayuantzu, San Chiatzu and Lapau
have been repuIsed."
Building Cruisers at VIadivostoIS.
Manila, March IN Blomindoff a
Russian naval reserve officer who
came here February 27, as slperin-
tendent of the cargo on the British
steamer Carlisle, which when eighty
five days out from VladivOstok with
supplies for Port Arthur. was, after
losing her propeller, carried BY con-
trary winds and currents to Philippine
waters, said today that great work for
the Russian navy is now being done at
Nladivostok and that complete equip
mentS Tor three ship building wards
have been transported from GERMANY
Six cruisers of the first class, the Of
hcer said. are now in course of con-
struction there.
M. BloUindoff claims that he laid
the mines which blew up the japanese
battleship Hatsuse off Port Arthur ON
the morning of May Is.
BOmbarding Lone Tree HILL.
Sachetun, Manchuria. March 1-3 p.
M.-The Japanese have opened a ire
fire with field and siege guns
against POutilom Hone Tree) hill Col
umns of white smoke envelop the hill
on two sides.
The combardment of the right flank
continues.
Russians Hanging On.
st. Petersburg, March 1.-Two BRIEF
dispatches from General Kuropatkin.
dated February 27, and February 2S
confirm the capture Of the head of the
Shakhe river bridge. Attacks of the
Japanese on Gauto Pass We're repulsed
February q, and again February %
The Russian advance guards still hold
their position at Kudaza. The sharp
shooters continue to harass the whole
Japanese front and. it is confirmed,
caused considerable alarm by the use OF
land grenades at Sandipu during the
hight Of February q.