The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-03-16
Russians are Driven From
the City and Mikado's
Forces Now in Full
Possession.
KUR0PATnN STILL RUNNING
Russian General Making Desperate Ef.
forts to Escape Being Surrounded.
Preclpitate Retreat in Full
Swing Toward Tie Pass.

Mukden is now in the hands Of the
japanese and Field Marshal Oyama's
first great objective has been accom-
plished after a prolonged and desper-
ate battle. A single terse sentence
from Toxic saying that the japanese
entered the ancient capital at 10
o'clock Friday and a confirmation dis
patch from Yinkow, was the extent
of the information.
Kuropatkin is in full retreat, but the
fate of his army is still in doubt.
With Tie Pass his point of refuge, he
Is endeavoring to extricate his forces,
but from the meager information III
Fridays dispatches it is apparent that
his position is extremely critical. Be-
hind the Japanese screen that has
been gradually thrown to the west
and north of Mukden, columns OF in
fantry and guns are reported to be
moving northward.
The Russians have been driven from
their positions, and now are rushing
northward towards Tie Pass, around
which are high hills which were pre-
pared for defenses after the battle OF
Lao Yang in September.
That the Russians have lost many
guns and large quantities Of ammun:.
ton and supplies is certain. Immense
stores, it seems certain, have been de-
stroyed. The Japanese have not yet
reported the capture of guns, but 1t
seems hardly likely that Kuropatkin
could have removed all Of his artil-
lery.
The result of Oyama's great turning
movement is said to depend on Gen
eral Kawamura's army, which IS sup
posed to be moving from the east to-
ward Kuropatkin's line Of retreat.
Should he reach the military road,
which runs almost in a direct lino
from Fushun to Tie Pass, before the
passage of the Russian army, the CIR
Gle will be COMPLETE, as Nogi's guns
already command the railway and
should soon control the Mandarin road,
which Is a short distance east Of the
railway and runs parallel with it.
Even should Kuropatkin extricate
his army, it is believed in some Eu-
ropean capitals that peace will fol-
low this latest Japanese victory. The
calling to St. Petersburg Of Mr. Is.
wolsky, Russian minister to Denmark,
who formerly was in Toxic, is regard
ed as significant.
The losses in the operations preced-
ing the battle proper must have
reached enormous proportions, but up
to the present neither side has a.
tempted an estimate. They will ex-
ceed the Shakhe losses, in which the
Russians alone lost in killed, wound
ed and missing $1,000 men. Field Mar
shall Oyama arranged his attack SO
that the Chinese city Of MuKden
should not come within the range OF
battle, rather an easy task, as the Rus
Clans had no positions Immediately
around the city, as was the case at
Lao Yang, and the Russian town is
two miles from the outer walls OF
the old city.
oyama's Telegram.
A Toxic special says: Field Marshal
Oyama telegraphs as follows, under
Fridays date: 1--WE occupied Mukden
at 10 o'clock this morning. Our SUR
rounding movement, in which We havo
been engaged for some days past, has
now completely succeeded. The ferc-
est fighting at several places in the
Vicinity Of Mukden took place.
I'VE captured a great number Of
prisoners, enormous quantities OF
arms, ammunition, provisions and 9th.
er war supplies. There is at pres
ent no time to investigate the num-
Der Of these"
General Kuropatkin sent the fol-
lowing dispatch to Emperor Nicholas,
under Fridays date: Last night be.
gan the retreat Of all our armies. Dur
ing the night there was no fighting
but a heavy cannonade."
In the above eight words the great
est defeat in the history of the Far
Eastern war was made known in st.
Petersburg. This brief message was
flung over the streets in newspaper
extras, aud it was passed from mouth