The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-11

WIIT mol
dust storm and the exhausted state OF
the Japanese armies after their Her
culean efforts during the 10 days Dat
tie may also have rendered the re-
treating armies good service But til@
main point, namely, how large a pro-
portion of the army is surrounded ana
whether it has been captured or still
has a chance to cut its way out is not
elucidated. Everything indicates, how
ever, that Kuropatkin has suffered
catastrophe of the first magnitude.
While the air is full of peace ru-
mors following the Russian defeat
there is undoubtedly necessity for
maSsing a new army at Harbin If the
war is to be continued. Neither En-
perOr Nicholas nor the government
has taken a step in the direction of
peace and probably they viii require
several days to reach a decision on
this point. The report that France
has already been asked to intervene is,
however, positively untrue
The Associated Press is enabled to
make the following statement:
The moment might prove aoppor-
tune, but the question of peace lies
with Japan and not win Russia Rus
sia would welcome peace and peace
could be arranged not through a third
power, but by direct negotiations be-
tween the two countries if the Jap
anese would propose moderate terms.
AS the victor Japan is in a position to
take the first step. Russia can not
could she accept terms which did not
recognize Russia as a power in the far
east. 1t is idle to speculate on the
concrete terms. The only thing is
that Russia's position in the far east
must be recognized with Japan. The
victor should show moderation. 9th
erwise no end of the war is yet in
sight.
Russians Badly Confused.
Toxic. March n-Noon-The Jap
anese wedge driven through the Rus
sian center on the Hun river continues
to advance north. 1t has already ar
rived at Hampu some distance north
east of Nukden.
1t is reported that the Russians are
retiring north along the railway, evil
IDENTIFY very badly confused, being
caught between the wedge and the ex-
treme japanese left northwest Of Muk-
den.
They have been heavily punished dur
ing their retreat along the described
route, the Japanese shelling the dis
ordered masses of the Russians.
Minister of War Teraoutchi has tele-
graphed his congratulations to Field
Marshal Oyama, the officers and men
of his army on their victory. Field
Marshal Oyama's reply ascribes his
success to the emperor and the gal
lantry and bravery of his officers and
men.
Many Thousands of Prisoners.
Toxic, March 11.=8 a. n.-The fun
extent of the Russian disaster is still
unknown here. 1t is known, how
ever, that the casualties and losses in
guns and munitions of war are enor-
nous Even approximate figures are
ObtainabIe as yet 1t is expected
that the prisoners will number many
thousands. Local estimates of the
number taken vary from 10000 to
so, 600.
It is not clear yet whether General
6uropatkin planned to stand and hold
MS line north of the Hun river or re-
ire until he found it was too late TO
accomplish his plan with the forces
1t his command owing to his con-
fdence in the ability of the Russian
lrmy to Withstand assault His action
n heavily reinforcing his right in the
many to the belief that he planned to
hold the line on the Hun river and
attempted to check flank attacks.
By a desperate onslaught, the Jap
7nese drove a wedge through the line
of the Hun river and then pressing
northWard. practically created a giant
Gordon around Mukden, bagging a
tremendous force Of the Russians by
the operation completed yesterday
Desperate fighting continued during
the night, the Russians striving to
break the encircling barrier.
1t is now known that as a result of
the operations yesterday if the Jap
anese army succeeds in obstructinzr
the line of retreat between Fushun
and Tie pass, but a small fraction of
NurOpatkin'S army will emerge from
the disaster.
japanese Are Not IIurrying.
With the Western Japanese Armies,
March TO- ! D. m, via Fusan. delayed
N mission.-During the night
General Oku's army advanced almost
% the railway despite a desperate re
iistance, occupied Sujaton station, the
main Russian supply depot and cap
-ured enormous quantities Of supplies, |
including six million rifle cartridges 1
and other supplies in proportion.
The japanese are not hurrying their |
being determined to lose /
40 chance to make victory certain and
decisive They are confident of the /
success of their plans.
Don't Know About RojestveIfsky.
New York, March 11.-Admiral Ro- |
is not returning to Euro |
1ean waters. according to a Times dis
patch from St Petersburg, which as
ierts that the battleshiDs in the fleet
ire unable to pass Suez canal without
The admiralty declares it is una
ware of Rojestvensky's intentions. as
ne does not report his movements.
''Send Another Army
st. Petersburg, March 11-6:45 p. NJ
vas filed, the situation of the Russian /
army was depicted as not so bad as
generally believed here at that hour, but !
If course due allowance must be made |
or the censor's restrictions. No official /
tisEatch was issued today.
The temper CT the imperial family can |
perhaps be judged by Grand Duke |
Vladinir's response when asked what |
WOULD be Russia's reply to General Ku- |
Opatkin's defeat.
Send another army was his answer.
SheIling Retreating Russians
Toxic March H. D. m-The fol- /
owing dispatch from the headquarters
# the Japanese army in the field was
made public today:
I'm the Singking (Yenden) direction
lur forces are now attacking a super
or force of enemy occupying the
lorthern height near Fushun.
''All our forces in the Shakhe river,
direction entirely disIodged the enemy