The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-20
BIG Battle NEAR.
Manchuria News Indicates Ap-
prOach of General Engagement.
Russians Are Occupying a Line
10 Miles Long.
IN THREE COLUMNS.
The Japanese Are Advancing on
Intrenched Position.
Provision Laden Junks Go to
Join ROjestvensky's Fleet.

New York, May 2O.-Au news from
Manchuria indicates the imninence of
a battle, according to the views of the
Times Toxic correspondent. The Rus
SLAMS occupy a line A miles in length,
strongly intFenched.
The Japanese are advancing in three
columns. The Russian main position is
at Hailung. where General Matorilon
commands.
Go to Join ROjestvensl1y.
Hong Kong, May 20-According to
information received here today the one
hundred and fifty deeply laden junks
presumably loaded with provisions for
the Russian heeO which were sighted
May 16, twenty miles off Cape st. John,
by correspondent who proceeded from
here to KWangchau bay, north of the
island of Hainan, have left the vicinity
of Cape St John and it is added are
probably seeking to effect a junction
with Admiral Rojestvensky's fleet.
Oyana Has Them Guessing.
Gunshu Pass, May 20.-One hundred
and eight miles north of Tie Pass. Man
churia, a general engagement is immin-
ent. Field Marshal Oyama is deplOying g
heavy forces against General Linevitch' s
left and is concentrating his troops
along the center but his base is op-
posite the Russian right. It is not yet
clear which wing is making a demon
stration and which will deliver the main
blow. It is evident from Linevitch's s
preparations that he intends to accept a
decisive battle.
Gone to Look for Russians.
Saigon, Cochin China, May 20
Admiral de Jonquieres, the French
naval commander. sailed from here to-
1 day on the cruiser Guichen. His des-
/ tination was not announced but it is
understood he is going to make an
! other inspection Of the coast to see Il
French neutrality is being infringed.
The Eve of Battle.
/ st. Petersburg, May 20.-The wal
/ Office confirms the report from Gun
I shu Pass that Field Marshal Oyama Is
/ on the eve of taking the general Of
/ fensive and no doubt is entertained
/ here that General Linevitch will ac-
/ cept battle in his present positions
/ The general staff believes Oyama's ad-
vance was precipitated by the doubi
] regarding the issue of the coming
naval battle between Admirals Ro-
/ iestvensky and Togo. With an IN
| beaten army in front of him Oyama's
I position might be critical if his com
1 munications with Japan were inter
| rupted even temporarily.
! Russians Take Offensive.
Toxic. May 2O.-7 a. NIT was an
nounced this evening from the head
quarters of the japanese armies in the
/ field that three Russian columns OF
4 mixed forces advanced southwark May
IS to the vicinity of the railroad. The
| japanese engaged them and drove the
/ Russians northward. simultaneously
! 500 Russian cavalry attacked a Jap
anese hospital at Kangpin on the right
bank of the Lao river. japanese ar
tillery and infantry dispersed the at
tacking cavalrymen, inf1icting heavy
! losses uoon them.
| Russian Complaint Is Denied.
| Toxic. May 2O.=The report that the
Russians have complained of the man
/ ner in which their wounded men left
at Port Arthur were treated by the
japanese, is officially denied 1t is
said that the Russian medical officers
on leaving Port Arthur addressed 9
letter to the chief of the japanese
medical staff thanking him for tht
care of the Russian wounded and en-
| Enthusiastically expressing fraternity
with the Jananese surgeons.