Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-03-08

The japanese lines are extended over
sixty miles. while Kuropatkin's are con-
stantly contracting. Besides he has the
advantage for the offensive Of operating
III the interior of his lines.
Military critics declare Oyama has not
yet enough superiority to take risks. Acl
cording to the war office, Oyama has not
over 10000 men in excess Of huropat-i
kin, whose forces total about $4,000
Should Oyama succeed the critics de-
clare that he will prove himself to be
master of military science and establish
reputation for military genius of the
first magnitude.
Kuroki's Great Work.
Gen. Kuroki's Headquarters in the
Field, via Fusan, March 5.-Delayed in
transmission THE Russians are today
using sixteen guns placed in position op-
posite Witosan and are Smelling the
Japanese artillery positions; the villages
on the plain occupied by troops, and the
roads wherein the supply trains are
passing to the front, but with no results.
Among the telling work of the Japa-
no episode of the war surpasses the
achievement Of the force which on the
night Of March ?, gained a footing across
the Shakhe river, and is now holding
two miles of the front, after crawling
up bare, stony hills. like leeches
The Russian trenches are now plainly
visible, the soldiers moving about freely
Both sides suspend hostilities for three
or four hours at midday and from mid
night to morning. A terrific uproar is
caused by the sounds of the cannonading
and rifle fire.
ter campaigners in every respect as the
Russians, a question upon which there
was formerly considerable doubt.
Remarkable Strategic Situation.
NLukden. March 4.-Saturday.-Th
eastern Russian army is reported to be
contending aggressiyely for the ground
lost at Ia mountain.
There are renewed rumors that Japa-
nese cavalry has been sighted north of
Fushan and moving west.
The turning of the Russian right to
complete right angle, Ringing On Sin
chinpu, has furnished the most remark
able strategic situation of the whole war
All day the japanese batteries have
been breaking Shrapnel over the swamp
land running southwest from the i'm
perial tombs, in full view of the popu-
lace crowding the railroad station, the
roofs of the adjoining houses and every
elevation. The japanese have been en-
couraged to renewed endeavors by the
sight of putting engines and a long line
Of trains and carts going northward.
Nine miles north of s5inchinpu the
japanese reached the old railway en-
bankment facing Machiapu, their line
thence circling north to Tatachekio on
the Sinmintin road
Although the greatest battle of the war
is being fought around Mukden the Chi
nese are strangely Indifferent.
Gen. kuropatkin has treasured the
army that he relies on the men being
able to hold their present positions.
The heaviest fighting today was on the
north bank of the Hun river, but it was
lndecisive. The battle will be renewed
at { 80 tomorrow morning.
A Ceaseless Battle.
Mukden, March 5.-Sunday. 6 p. NJ
All day long the battle ragged ceaselessly.
Line japanese have been concentrating
their energies on Machiapu for the pos
session of which they have been strug-
cling fer two days, but with all their
gallantry, the Japanese were unable to
dIslodge the Russians, who are clinging
to their works with bull dog tenacity.
within mile and a half of the Hun
railway bridge, which evidently is the
japanese objective The capture of that
position would render the occupation Of
the Hun river position south Of Mukden
Cntenatlve.
~ ueTce anu CONTINUOUS dElllIeIS en-
gagement is taking place about four
miles north Of Miachiapo.
From the Hun bridge a long line Of
battle stretches in both directions so far
as the eye can see. Northwest toward
Tatchekio and eastward along the Shak-
he river it is marked by line Of burst
ing shells.
A Decisive Engagement.
The Russian losses are not excessive,
considering the severity of the five days
fighting. The japanese are the at
tackers and have suffered heavier than
the Russians.
A decision in the battle should be
reached tomorrow of Wednesday.
At 80 this afternoon guns began to
roar west and northwest Of Mukden rail
road station, where Gen. Kuropatkin is
launching an attack against the japanese
extreme left.
During last night the Japanese repeat
edly assaulted Pienchiapudgu, Kaotou
pass and Kaniayen, farther east, but all
their efforts We're unavailing.
The bombardment of Erdagou, Nov
gorod and Poutiloff hills continues unsuc-
cessfully.
Official Reports.
An official report in the Army Messen-
ger says:
The southern position is unchanged,
so far as Shakhe."
After acknowledging that the central
army had fallen back from Sinchinpu in
order to contract the length of the line
of battle connecting the inner positions
the Army Messenger adds:
The spirits Of the men are excellent.
Marvellous composure is being displayed
considering the approaching crisis"
The paper admits the Russian losses
are heavy. but says the battle is going
on successfully.
All the roads leading from Machiapu
and the western plain which has sud
denly been invaded by the battle, are
crowded with Chinese refugees.
Opposite Poutiloff hill the Russians
are reported to have captured two ma
chine guns.
Russ Resist Stubbornly.
Toxic, March 6.-3 p. m.-The head
quarters of the japanese armies in the
field reporting yesterday, said:
''In the Singking Tor Yenden) direction
the enemy continues a stubborn resist
ance at several lines of defense.
In the Shakhe river direction our de-
which attacked the northern
eminence of PinniuDaO Saturday has Oc-