The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-03-09

ana dDdnQOleQ many OF .LnelF
considered the most diSastrou
the fighting near Mukden.
Toxic, March S.-The Japanese this
morning captured the fortified town
of Maehuntan only few miles
southeast of Mukden, and succeeded
in cutting the Russian line Of commu-
nication.
Russians Deny Report.
st. Petersburg, March Sit is ofri-
'cially denied by Gen. Kuropatkin that
his communications have been cut.
Japanese Make Steady Gains.
Toxic, March S.-A dispatch from
General Kuroh this afternoon says
the great battle around Mukden con-
tinues favorable to the Japanese.
He expects it to last several days,
,as the Russian forces are firmly en-
ztrenched. Each side gains temper
ary advantages but the Japanese
make gradual advances. The bonn
harding with field guns is followed
by infantry charges. Thousands or
Russian corpses are piled up in
front of their works.
Die Rather Than Surrender.
St. Petersburg, March S.-A Rus
sian correspondent says the Japan
,ese planned to enter Mulxden March
4 but were foiled in the attempt.
The Russian lines, have been advanc-
ed. Sassulitch's infantry surrounded
a part OF General Kuroki's guard.
The Japanese refused to surrender
and we're shot.
Cannot Hold Mukden.
st. Petersburg, March 8.-That the
battle of Mukden will go down in his
tory with Liaoyang in the long list of
Russian defeats is the almost universal
belief in pessimistic ST. Petersburg,
which has forgotten the meaning of the
word victory. The war Office does not
admit that the issues of the great battle.
which already exceeds in magnitude of
operations and losses that of Shakhe,
has been decided, although it is positive
ly stated in high quarters that Kuro-
/, patkin has telegraphed to Emperor
Nicholas that it will be impossible to
of the army northward has already been
begun.
Nothing from KuropatSin later than
Monday has been given out, but advices
TO ST. Petersburg newspapers and dis
patches dated at eight o'clock last night
Indicate that the position of the Rus
sian army after day of furous and un-
precedented fighting is desperate, but
not absolutely hopeless, some Russian
correspondents even predicting Rus
sian victory soon, and one offirming
that the extreme Japanese left has al
ready begun to retire southwark.
Everything probably now depends on
Gen. Kuropatkin's reserve.
At the military clubs here Gen. Kuro-
patkin is already regarded as beaten.
the only question being his ability to
execute a retreat. Those who believe
there is still chance of actual Russian
victory are few and far between. The
majority regard the fighting yesterday
as in reality rear guard action. enter
tanning no doubt that there will be a
heavy withdrawal during the night.
These officers, however, are dependent
upon practically the same information
as the public.
Defeat May Mean Peace.
Politically the result may determine
the question OF continued prosecution
of the war. An overwhelming disaster,
it is believed, will surely bring Russia
to terms; but anything less might not
break the stubborn resolution OF the
Russian government. In its hearing on
the interior situation the result of the
battle is regarded as equally important.
Russian Center Broken.
st. Petersburg. March S.-A very spe-
.cific report was circulated Tuesday
evening in exceedingly well-informed