The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-08
RUSSIANS GUESS.
They Are Not Quite Certain
What Oyama Is Up To.
Japanese Are Pressing Gen.
Linevitch's Advance Posts.
HIS TROOPS FALL BACK
May Be the Beginning of An
other Big Battle.
Junction of Pacific SquadrOns Is
Now Imminent.

St Petersburg, May 8.-Interest is
once more directed to Manchuria, the
news from the front indicating that
/ Field Marshal Oyana is pressing Gen /
eral Linevitch's advance posts east and
west of the railroad with much force
as if about to undertake a general Of
fensive movement. The Russians are
offering slight resistance and are fall
i ing back upon their first line of de-
fense. The Russian advance covers a |
front of about one hundred miles ex-
tending from Singtuamantsu, on the
Lao river, in a southeasterly direction
Il across the railroad above Chang Tu to
d the Mandarin road, leading to Kirin,
Il to Kamal pass, about seventy miles due
Il east of Tie pass. The Russian cavalry
II protect both wings, small bodies being
probably beyond the Lao river in
Mongolia to guard against a surprise
turning movement in that direction.
Experts, however, believe that Oya-
mas purpose is to thrust in from the
east, turn Kirin and interpose himself
between Harbin and Vladivostok pre-
paratory to the investment of the lat
4 ter place. Linevitch's disposition seems
especially taken to meet such a plan.
) He would not give battle along his
present line, but would gradually retire
! and draw in his forces as Oyama's
strategy develops, to the main Russian
positions which extend due east and
west from Kirin, through Kuanchang-
1 tsu to Huaita Thsien.
l A considerable force of troops also
: is reported to be due east of Kirin as
z far south as the Tumen river to con-
: test the japanese advance northeast
! ward toward Vladivostok. 1t is not
2 / regarded as certain that the Japanese
e1f4x
is known to have received large rein
/ forcements which have filed up the
Japanese ranks and he brought up i'm
mense quantities of supplies and am
; munition after the battle of Mukden,
by way of Sinmintin and over the re-
constructed Manchurian railroad. But
{ at the war Office here there is a differ
al ence of opinion as to whether Oyama
e is yet ready and it is added that if he
Y is in earnest probably almost a fort
s night will elapse before the issue is
r. decided, the preliminaries of each of
: the battles of the present war, in view
of the fact that the armies cover such
!, large area. having always been long
i and tedious. Up to yesterday the Rus
!. sian advance posts generally had re-
{ tired again about eight miles. If
: Oyalna's offensive is pressed home a
e climax should be reached at about the
0 time the sea fight between Rojestven-
E sky and Togo is anticipated. Cen
!. eraI Linevitch's headquarters are at
OunShu pass.
Would Boycott France.
Toxic May 8.-A member of the
chamber of commerce of this city
has written to that organization sug-
D gesting organized commercial retalia-
ton on France. on account of the hos
pitality shown by her to the second
Russian Pacific squadron
The writer proposes that the cham
bers of commerce throughout the en-
! pire act Jointly in boycotting the goods
I of French merchants.
It is probable that the chamber of
commerce here will decline to con-
! slider the question.
= Juncture of SquadrOns Near.
Z Saigon. May S@The Russian hos
< pital ship Kostroma arrived here to-
q day which indicates the approach of
: the fourth division of the Russian Pa
cific squadron commanded by Vice
r Admiral Nebogatoff. Sixteen French
steamers are off Cape st. James near
here The main Russian squadron is
said to be off the coast of AMMAN.
Nebogatoff Has Passed Saigon.
Hong Kong, May S-A special dis
! patch from Saigon, Cochin China. re-
) ports that Rear Admiral Nebogatoff's
division has passed Saigon. A Russian
t cruiser was off Honkohe bay, a short
3 distance north of Kamranh bay Nav
) when the British steamer Charterhouse,
r which arrived here today passed that
/ point. The latter also noticed a collier
/ leaving the bay and steaming east but
seen.
/ The British ship Angola, from
t Muroran, Japan, was stopped by a Jap
I anese cruiser in the Straits of Korea
I After being questioned about her cargo
I and destination she was allowed to pro-
s ceed.
l France Denies Charges.
/ Paris, May 8--The critical tone of
the British press concerning Frances
v alleged breaches of neutrality in Indo-
I China brought out an emphatic general
statement today from the foreign office
that the accusations are unfounded. An
official said:
r TT is universally known that the Jap
E anese intelligence department is excep-
E tionally efficient Therefore if various
specific breaches of neutrality really ex-
4 listed the japanese government would
4 have been. aware of them and would
; have presented specific charges to the
/ French government So far, however,
Japan's official action has been con-
fined to requesting France to exercise
strict neutrality. She has not made any
specific charges nor have any specinc
acts of violation of neutrality vet been
brought to our attention. The japanese
government asked in an amicable spirit
that We observe neutrality and we an
/ swered that We had done and are doing
= everything possible to that end The
reports to the contrary we believe to be
nisrepresented.'
! Civil Government for Manchuria.
3 Toxic. May S.-The government is
7 perfecting plans to convert the mil
/ itary administration of the occupied
! territory in Manchuria into a civil ad-
: ministration. Army officers viii con-
tinue to be chiefs of departments but
2 they viii be assisted by civilian experts
I and civil police. It is expected that
General Kamio will be administrator
> of the Lao Tung peninsula. The ad
I nainistrator of Manchuria has not been
IseIected. Taxes sufficient to pay the