JAPAN AND RUSSIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXII, Issue 13574, 21 October 1904, Page 5

JAPAN AND RUSSIA.

OYAMA'S REPORT. ANOTHER BATTLE IN PROGRESS. CONFLICTING STATEMENTS. United Pross Association—By Electrio Telagroph—Copyright. LONDON, October 19. Marshal Ova-ma reports that a regiment of infantry attacked part of General Kuroki's army at Shangpinatzu, Taichaku, on Sunday, but was routed by a counter attack and retreated north. ,He adds: " There is no change as regards our right and centre armies. General Yamada's detachment was sent to help part of General Oku's army in attacking the enemy northwards of Shabo-po, and drove off the enemy's right wing, and captured two guns. They retired in the darkness to their original position, but meanwhile the division, by a vigorous advance, had enveloped the detachment, and a severe hand-to-hand fight resulted. The detachment drove off the enemy in front, but was unable to resist both flanks, and had to cut. its way out, abandoning nine field gnrifl and. five mountain guns, as most of the. men and horses were killed. The casualties were one thousand. The enemy, on the night of September 17, made two fierce counter attacks against General Oku's right column. The counter attacks were on a smaller scale in the direction of Generals Nodzu and Kuroki. The enemy were repulsed entirely, leaving a. great number of dead. The enemy in front of the juunho have been enormously reinforced, especially in front of General Nodzu's command. A mixed brigade faces General Oku's left flank detachment." ANOTHER GREAT BATTLE. JAPANESE REINFORCEMENTS. AN INFANTRY ENGAGEMENT. LONDON, October 19. It is understood at Tokio that another great battle has begun in the centre. The indications aire that General Kuropatkin has transferred a portion of hia forces e.3st and west. Telegrams from Mukden and Harbin, cabled yesterday and to-day, say that the Russians are driving in the centre, but this is not mentioned' in the official despatches. The "Times" surmises that the telegrams are intended for consumption in Russia. It is reported that General Kuropatkin has received 20,000 reinforcements front Kirin, and that Marshal Oyama. has received a whole brigade from Niuchwang. The Mistchenko infantry defeated several battalions on Monday, the Japanese saving their guns by enormous losses. THE RAINY SEASON. BAD ROADS. " RUSSIANS WILL CONQUER OR DIE." LONDON, October 19. Tho newspaper "Rus-s" states that the rains on Monday haive Ewollan the streams, and the roads are desperately bad. The Russians have reoccupicd Shaho Station. General Kuropatkin has telegraphed to tho Czar that the Russians will conquer or die. The St Petersburg general staff state that the Russians only captured twelve guns, and expect that the battle will last till the end of the week. General Kuropatkin has abandoned Mukden as his headquarters, and remains with the troops. The Japanese .attacks on Lonely Tree Hill on Monday night were repulsed. A Tokio telegram on Wednesday states that, owing to the absence of news, it is believed that inactivity has followed General Kuropatkm's abortive assaults to cover his withdrawal from the Hunho. i. THE USE OF DISGUISES. CHARGE AND COUNTER CHARGE. (Received October 20, 11.24 p.m.) LONDON, October 20. The Japanese have sent a protest, through Colonel Hay, United States Secretary of State, protesting against the Russians attempting surprises disguised in Chinese garments, contrary to international law, and being a source of calamity to innocent Chinese. The St Petersburg correspondent of "Le Temps" states that information from- an unquestionable source shows that the Japanese, in a night attack, capturing guns, tricked the Russians into mistaking them for comrades, the Japanese wearing fur caps and Russian overcoats. The correspondent adds that tho' general check sustained by General Kuropatkm's offensive movement was due to the badly executed movement of General Stackelberg's army' against a narrow pass at the Russian centre, the weakness of the attack, the failure to use considerable forces, and the incoherence of orders. The scene at Mukden on October 17 suggested the approaohing evacuation of the town.