PROFOUND GLOOM IN RUSSIA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12015, 17 October 1904, Page 7

PROFOUND GLOOM IN RUSSIA.

FEARS FOR HARBIN.

REPORTS FROM GENERAL OYAMA. (Received October 16th, 9.36 a.m.) LONDON, October 15. . There is profound; gloom at St. Petersburg, which is in striking contrast to the elation which followed General Kuropatkin's recent prockmation. j The despatch of tin roofing for hospital Irats from Ekaterinoslav has been indefinitely suspended, tho authorities* fearing that even Harbin, with its fetores, will (have to be aibandoned to the enemy. General Sakharoff reports that the left whig, after a very obstinate struggle, occupied tho Rocky , Hills southward of Bentsiaputse, seven and a half miles north of Yentai. The arrival of Japanese reinforcements prevented tho advantage gained being a success, General Kuropatkjn ordering the force to rejoin the main body. Field-Marshal Oyama reports that General Kuroki occupied .several eminences north-Kiet of the mines, and pursued the enemy vigorously. A subsequent report from Field-Marshal Oyama states tihat tho right wing of General Kuroki's.Jeft column, after a desperate battle, occupied the -highlands north of iShaotakou, the key of the enemy's position. Generals Nodzu and Oku attacked and captured important strategical positions towards Mukden. ■ Fresh Japanese reinforcements are constantly arriving at Yenfai. GREAT CAPTURES OF GUNS. A DISORDERLY RETREAT. TWO DIVISIONS ISOLATED. (Received October 16th, 9.36 a.m.) LONDON, October 15. General Nodru'e chief captures were guns and ammunition -waggons a few miles eastvard of YentaL ■'*■••. ■ * General Oku captured sixteen guns at Lente«hi, five milee to the north-west of YenUL The Russians, during » disorderly retreat, lost four more, and General Oku, in pursuing the enemy near ShHeho, five gnns and five-ammuratkto waggons. . Th«r Vienna correspondent of "T9i& Thnes" states that the terrfcle failure of the Bonsian offensive movement is regardtd there with pity for the lose of so many brave men* Wonder is expressed that the advance wae ov*r made. ■ ;.

The correspondent of the "Standard,"

leiegrapmng irom near, xentai, says mat the Japanese altogether captured seventy gans up to Thursday. ' • • The Tokio correspondent of tlw "Standard" declares that three or four Russian, divisions are now isolated in the Pensi'hu and, Kiotu districts. FIERCE STRUGGLE FOR A POSITION. GOOD WORK BY JAPANESE CAVALRY. WHY KUROPATKIN ADVANCED. (Received October 16th, 4.51 p.m.) LONDON, October lj&i Th« Japanese repulsed sixteen" counter attacks. A company of Japanese infantry seize.l the creet of the lulls itoar the Yentai miuos. The leading filen woro, instantly mown down, bub the company retired, reformed, and re-charged. Th« Russians fled, but returned, and in'the. bayonet struggle -which followed the Japanese were victorious. ■ ■ . Field-Marshal Oyama reports thai, topographical difficulties prevented the. effeoti\e use of General Kttroki's artillery until Shaotaku wns occupied. Prince Kanni, with a large body .of cavalry, made a detour on the rear of' tlie Russian left flank at Peneihu, and shattered tl»e reserves, thus greatly helping the general movement; This wae the first time that the Japanese cavalry have acted | independently of the infantry. . j The unwillingness of the Rusarian re- , eerves to go to the front, in -view of the disheartening situation and generally unsatisfactory internal: condition of Huseia, wore among tli© chifif causes which impelled General Kuropatkin's advance.