The leader., 1905-03-11

ASEAmS AANCERODCA W O(AAe AAONURe~e-
kim to defend the city and rail-
roads. The stroke came like light
ming ont Of a clear sky. 1t is re-
ported that the situation has some
what Improved, but It still In ex-
tremely critical.
st. Petersburg, March 0.-The fate
of Gen. KurOpatI<in and his army
hangs In the balance, depending ON
the result of the Aghting almost i'm
the outskirts of lIuklen. Accord
ing to latest reports, the Aghting
went well for the Russians, who
beat hack the wave that threatened
to roll over AIulkden as it had over
the fOrtincations of Port Arthur,
but nothing IL known rs to what is
going ON beyond the line OF break
ers, whether part OF Gen. Nogi's
force is in full career for Tie Pass
or whether the Japanese have
stalked all In cast against Mulx-
den.
Toxic, March 6.-Field Marshal Oya-
ma is continuing his great drives
around both 1lanks of the Russian
army. His front is now a huge bow.
the base on the Shakhe river, the right
arm reaching point east of Fushan,
and the left arm extending to a point
west of 'Mukden. He is steadily tight
ening the great cord of men and steel.
Gen. Kuropatlxin is striving desperate
ly to check the Japanese advances, con-
testing the flank encroachments and
hammering the Japanese center.
Japanese Making Ground.
The Japanese are making ground
west of the railway, and have captured
great quantities of stores and other
spoils. There has already been bloody
fighting and heavy losses. and this will
be vastly increased when the masses
of infantry meet.
Field Marshal Oyama, reporting on
March A, says:
A few days ago our force in the
Hsienchuang direction pressed the enc
my into his positnon at Tita, which is
Is miles southeast of Fushan, and
Manchuntun. Is miles south Of Fu-
shun.
Four Attacks Repu1sed.
The night of March 3 the enemy
made four determined attacks against
our positions at Hodsuntupotzu and
Tangshiatun. All were entirely re-
pulsed.
In the district east of the railway our
force is continuing fierce attacks, and
has occupied the districts of Wuchen-
ying, five miles west of Shakhe village,
and Laishonpao, three miles northwest
of Wuchenyfng, and Shuhopao, the
terminus of the new railroad construct
ed by the Russians.
DisIOdging the Enemy.
The force on the right of the Hun
river is dislodging the enemy north
east of Siaopeho, which is between the
Hun and Liao rivers, and has advanced
north. This force carried the enemy's
defense line between Chantan and
Shuafangtai and pursued the enemy
fiercely. The line now is between Wo-
chiaho, is miles southwest of Mukden
and Taitse, 13 miles west of Mukden,
and Lamuho, four miles north of
Taitse,
Much Spoils Cnptured.
During a previous engagement the
enemy's casualties were heavy The
spoils we captured were great No
time to investigate. We captured large
quantities of provisions at Wanehang-
pao, and captured a clothing depot at
Tahantai.
Estimates of Gen. Kuropatkin's force
between, Shakke and Tie Pass, prepared
here, give total of slightly more than
100000, composed of 1886, 900 infantry,
80, 900 cavalry and $4,000 artillery, with
1904 guns. This estimate does not in
clude troops at vladivostok and other
garrisons, railway guards and other
employees. The grand total east Of
Lake Balkai is estimated at 10000 men.