The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1905-03-14
CAR READY
TO QUIT
Russian Disaster at Mukden
May End War
BALTIC FLEET RECALLED
Peace Terms Give Japan Port
Arthur, COrea And an
indemnify
BALTIC FLEET RECALLED

| LONDON, March list. Petersburg
dispatches say that a Russian official
close to the car has expressed the
opinion that Russia will be forced Ia
ask for peace In view of Kuropatklns
defeat.
There is high authority for the state
ment that the Russian second Pacific
squadron has been recalled by the
Russian government. While not re-
garded as sure sign Of peace, the re-
call of Admiral Rojestvensky's squad
yOn in the opinion of European chan
eellories is regarded as hopeful sign
that peace is at hand.
When the ear calls his war council
today he will be able to inform them
that Japan will welcome peace on rea-
sonable terms and will promptly name
her conditions provided she receives
trustworthy assurances that they will
be seriously considered.
This the emperor has learned from
friendly chancellories in Europe as
well as the general terms acceptable to
Japan. These, it is said, include the re-
! tcnti0n by Japan of Port Arthur, a
Japanese protectorate over Korea and
an indemnity.
Briefly these were reports current In
the diplomatic corps, and as a result OF
this important information it Is be-
Iieyed that Russia and Japan are on
the verge Of peace. If it be true that
the second Pacific squadron has been
recalled even the most optimistic of
Russia's friends admit that this is "a
strong indication that Oyamas mighty
blow has made for peace.
The small portion Of the Russian ar
my which General Kuropatkin had
gathered along the banks of the Sha-
khe and Hun rivers that has reached
Tie pass is worn out from many days
Of lighting and retreating and is not
yet out of danger, the japanese, 1t Is
reported, having already started an
other turning movement which will
force the Russians on to the plains
north of Tie pass, where In their dis
organized state they would be easy
prey for the victory flushed soldiers of
the mikado.
A report from General Kurokls ar
my in the field, northeast of Mukden.
says:
Every hour increases the magnitude
Of the disaster suffered by the Russian
armies. Now $4,000 dead are known
to have been left on the field, making
the casualties at least 100000. Be-
tween fifty and sixty thousand prison
ers, some seventy guns and enormous
quantities Of ammunition and provi-
sions fell into the hands of the Japa-
nese. The Japanese losses do not ex-
coed those of former great battles.
even General Kuroki's army losing
only 5000
Field Marshal Oyamas plans de.
ceived General Kuropatkin. The Rus
sian commander misjudged the posi-
tons and the strength of the Japanese.
He at first thought that General Nogi's
Port Arthur army was pressing his
east flank and concentrated great
force there. This force he was after
ward obliged TO shift to Mukden.
where 1t arrived in a state of exhaus-
ton after forced march and was un-
able to fight.
"A retreat from Mukden began on
March 8. Ii became demoallzed
flight when the Russians discovered
that their egress was blocked by Japa-
nese infantry and artillery from the
east. The rapid approach Of the Japa-
nese was a complete surprise to the
Russians, who expected that their re-
treat would be harassed only by the
Japanese cavalry from the westward.
Saturday morning one division Of |
japanese encountered several Russian
regiments retreating along the road to |
Tie pass. The Japanese descended |
from the hills on the Russians who |
attempted to break through the line.
After a sharp engagement In which
the Japanese guns did great execution,
1000 Russians surrendered, with their
guns. The japanese lost a hundred
men.
According to stories told by cap
tured Russian officers and the appear
nnce produced by their troops, the re-
treat lacks organization, every battal-