Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-02-09
MAY GIVE UP
THE STRUGGLE
Rumors of Kuropatkin's Re-
tirement Come Thick
and Fast.
THEY CANNOT BE CONFIRMED
But Russian War Office is Unable to
Deny Them-Third Russian Pacific
Squadron Will Sail On Feb. a.
Cannonading is Resumed.

London, Feb. 6.--According to the
Daily Mails Toxic correspondent,
Lieutenant General Tachimmi, in
command of the Eighth japanese di-
vision, bore the brunt of the fight
ing In the battle of Heikoutai. He
was constantly opposed by superior
forces, but continued fighting till the
last, with a total loss of 62 officers
and $500 men. killed or wounded.
Russian Headquarters, Huan Noun
tain, Manchuria, Feb. 3.-(Delayed in
transmission. THE artillery engage
ment has been resumed on the Rus
sian right
st. Petersburg, Feb. 5.-The third
Pacific squadron commanded by Ad-
miral Nasogatoff and consisting of the
battleships Nicolai l., General Ad-
miral Apraxine. Admiral Oushakoff
and Admiral Seniavin. the cruiser
Vladimir Monomach and the artillary
cruisers Russ and Zenia. will leave
Libau about February IA. The delay
in the departure of the squadron is
due to the placement of artillery. The
Russ carries captive balloons and the
Xenia coal and other supplies and n
repair shop. Torpedo boats will join
the squadron at sea.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 5.-Rumors OF
General Kuropatkin handing over his
command to General Linevitch. com.
mander of the first army, have been
current in st. Petersburg since the
announcement that General Grippen.
berg had been relieved of his COM
mand of the second army. The Asso-
ciated Press is unable to obtain any
confirmation of the reports. The war
office declares they are improbable,
but is unable TO deny them. A dis
tinguished general told the Associat-
ed Press that evidently there had
been friction between General Kuro-
patkin and General Grippenberg, and
added:
II have heard a great deal of talk
about Kuropatkin's asking to be re-
lieved, but nothing positive can be
said on the subject at present"
There are two conflicting versions
Of the incident: According to one of
them General Grippenberg complain
ed to the emperor the General Kuro-
patkin had refused to support his
thanking movement. in view of which
Grippenberg asked to be relieved.
The emperor, he added, then tele-
graphed to Kuropatkin asking for an
explanation, in rerly to which Kuro-
patkin wired that his health was shat
tered and requested permission TO
turn his command over to General
Linevitch.
According to the second andd more
commonly credited version of the af-
fair, Kuropatkin claimed that Gener-
al Grippenberg undertook the thanking
movement in defiance of orders. The
hope is generally expressed that the
incident will be satisfactorily adjust
ed as it is realized on all sides that
Kuroptakin's departure from the front
would prove a serious blow to the
armmy.
Grirpenberg's withdrawal has not
changed the situation. The Russians
continue to hold their positions around
Sandepas.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 5.-Interest IN
the ill-starred attempt to capture
Sandepas is eclipsed by the withdraw
nj of General Grippenberg and uncon-
firmed reports regarding the retire
ment of General Kuropatkin.
According to the latest information
received by the war office operations
on the right flank of the Russian army
are at standstill. The extreme right
Of the Russians continues to hold
Chiantsanhenan, on the Hun river,
six miles northwest of Sandepas. Ap
parently both sides are unable to move
owing to the terrible weather.
There are 25 degrees of frost &C
companied by wind, but in view OF
the sudden fluctuations in the tenn
perature at this time of the year the
frost may suddenly decrease and the
Russians would then be confronted
with the alternative of Withdrawing il
order to avoid being intercepted by
Japanese column from Shilikhe, or oi
undertaking a general advance. The
latter view finds some confirmation in
a dispatch to the Associated Press
from Tsinkhetchen, reporting a re
connaisance by General Rennen.
karnpf's force on the Russian left,
which perhaps is preliminary to an
advance.
The military authorities here are
encouraged by the report as showing
that the Russians are able to repeat
the plan of reaching the enemy's line
Of communication.