Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-03-16
The Battle of Mukden.

If the Battle of Mukden" is to be
taken as precedent all the great
battles of the future will be campaigns
in themselves Three weeks ago the
Japs and Russians were lying quietly
in their long lines, facing and parallel
ling each other. Then the Japs ''got
busy" and there were reports Of divis-
ION OF Gen. Kuroki's army-their right
wring-circling through the mountains
towards the Russian rear; and also OF
division of Gen. Oku's army-their left
wing-circling through Chinese terri
tory and also threatening the Russian
rear. The desperate fighting all along
the long line-estimated anywhere from
sixty to hundred miles-did not take
place, however, until the latter part Of
last week. Kuropdtkin had so weaken
ed his centre by sending reinforcements
to his wings, that the Japs were en-
abled to break through his line and
divide his army and this necessitated
the abandoning Of his fortified lines.
The retreat of the Russians began last
Thursday night and the Japs entered
Mukden, Friday morning.
The Russians used their railroad for
saving their field pieces and some stores;
but the greater part of their supplies.
the heavy field guns, and some of the
lighter pieces fell into the hands Of the
Japanese.
On Thursday and Friday great sand
or dust storm prevailed over the region
and the two armies were invisible to
each other. The accounts tell OF regi-
ment Of Japs backing up to a Russian
position during one of these storms, and
firing backwards or toward their own
men till they reached the barbed-wire
entanglements; when they hastily cut
them and attacked the Russians with
the bayonet. The fighting at different
points seems to have been as desperate
az the world has ever seen.
The distance from Mukden to Tie
Ling pass (where the Lao river and
the railroad pass between the noun
tains) is fortytwo miles and the Rus
sian retreat was along the railroad and
the main roads from Mukden and
Fushan (several miles to the east to
that point. with the Japs harassing
them from both sides and the rear Part
of the Russian army reached the pass by
Saturday and, as Kuropatkin had caus-
ed it to be fortified last summer. he
may make another stand there.
His losses, however, in killed, wound
ed and prisoners are estimated at 150.-
600 men, and IL this Is correct he may
be so weakened as to necessitate his
continuing his retreat to Harbin. along
the main line of railroad and 300 miles
farther north from Telling.
Marshal Oyama's plan Of the battle
or campaign seems to have been per-
feet, and his generals carried it out as
planned. He told his men they would
be in Mukden by Friday morning and
they were. The only division from
which there has been no report Is the
one said to have been sent north from
the right wing, to head off the retreat;
which the Japs seem to have considered
as inevitable.
The Japs losses in killed and wounded
are estimated at 50.000 the Red Cross
people followed the army caring for the
wounded, of which the Russians are
said to have left $4,000 on the fields
The Japs took so many prisoners
about 60,000-that they have had
trouble in providing for them.
Yesterdays dispatches told of the re-
organization Of the panic-stricken Rus
siaa army at Tie Pass, the Japanese be-
ing, apparently, two greatly exhausted
to continue the pursuit, though the
Russians were fearing another turning
movement.
Gen. Kuropatkin was reported to
have sent in his resignation.
This morning the Japs are reported
in Tie Pass, with the Russians retreat
ing towards Harbin.
Admiral Togo's squadron was report
ed in the straits OF Malacca.
The three men announced for State
Delegates seem to have no opposition.
Their names were taken around to the
Republican printing offices by L. M.
yViaa tho morning after Chairman