The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-03-15
BIG ARMIES ARE MASS|NG
Preparations For Expected Engage
ment Within a Month.
RUSSIAN CAVALRY VERY ACTIVE
Many Attacks and Counter Attacks
Occurring Frequently Between OPP
posing Forces-Invasions Of Chinese
Soil Reported-Japan's Recent Naval

" EPu
Operations.
st. Petersburg. Russia. Advices
from Russian headquarters in Man
churia prove that a tremendous battle
between the forces Of General Kuro-
patkln and Marshal Oyama will be
fought within a month. Spring rapidly
approaches in Manchuria.
The Japanese are quietly shifting
heavy forces from their centre to their
tanks, the constant artillery attacks
In the central position being intended
to cover|these movements.
The brigades Of the Japanese Re.
serve are being moved east. indicating
the direction of the Japanese offensive
when it begins.
It is reported that General Nogi will
command the extreme Japanese right.
In front of Koudezi, on the right
flank. the Russians now are trying the
effect Of concentrated siege and mortar
batteries with good results, firing as
many as twenty mortars simultan-
eously.
During a bo~mbardment of Lone Tree
Hill by the Japanese ! projectile from
a siege gun entered an underground
hut, burst, tore off the head Of a lieu
tenant and wounded a colonel and two
star captains, who were playing cards.
Whatever truth may be in the charges
that the Russians are violating Chinese
neutrality, it is certain that bodies Of
japanese troops and Chinese bandits
are operating in Mongolia, usually in
cavalry attachments of several hundred
men, for General Sakharof, General
Kurspatkin's chief of staff, reports that
100 japanese cavalry and 200 Chinese
bandits tried to destroy q bridge be-
tween Gauplin and Fontziatun, north
of Mukden. Russian frontier guards
drove off the attackers, who subse-
quently destroyed a few rails, blew up
a telegraph pole south Of the bridge
and then fed. The Russians were re-
infsrced and pursued the japanese
twenty-five. miles.
Sakharoff also reports that Russian
artillery destroyed the buildings and
walls Of Mangazi, from which the Jap.
anese had been bombarding the Rus
sian trenches. The Japanese were
driven out.
In view of the continued attacks on
and criticism of, General Kuropatkin.
the Eovoe Yremya, defending the Com
mander-in Chief, proposes that q COM
mission Of retired officers be appointed
to pass judgment on him.
Toxic, Japan.-Marshal Oyama re.
ports that the Russians have begun an
extensive cavalry movement against
his extreme left. Large forces Of cav
alrymen tried to cross the Hun River
west Of Liaoyang. The operation be-
gan west of Chitaitzu. One force Of
cavalry stole into Lachunshi, and
simultaneously another cavalry force
approached Tacha, thirteen miles
southwest of Chitaitzu and twenty.
seven miles west Of Liaoyang. Nine
thousand cavalry with artillery ap-
preached the river a mile below Tacha,
and attempted to cross at 6 o'clock n
the evening. advancing on Heikoutai.
The sheling Of Oyama's centre con-
tinued.
The British steamers Apollo and
Scotsman, bound for Vladivostok. were
captured off Hokkaido. The Apollo
was from Cardiff with coal, and the
Scotsman had a cargo Of provisions,
which, according to her papers, were
consigned to Yokosuka, fifteen miles
from Yokohama.
The new torpedo boat destroyers. Art-
axe and Fubiki. constructed in Japan.
have been placed in commission. Their
average speed is Twenty-Five knot an
hour.
The destroyer Arare is ready to be
launched at the Yokosuka Navy Yard.
A suspicious fire greatly damaged the
Atsuta Works, near Nagoya. A search.
ing investigation will determine If 1t
was incendiary.