CAMPAIGNING IN MANCHURIA

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 5

CAMPAIGNING IN MANCHURIA

JAPANESE PRESSING NORTH-

WARPS. KOUROPATKIN’9 STAND. AT LI AO YANG. LONDON, September 1. It is estimated that General Kouropatkin has 150,000 fighters at Liaoyang. The fighting that commenced on Monday may yet last several days. 'A division qf General Kuroki’s ■ army is said to have crossed the Taitse river on pontoon bridges, additional troops following later. A Toldo message says the right and centre of tho Russian troops defending Liaoyang to the south were retreating on Wednesday afternoon. Japanese troops were in pursuit. Advices from Mukden state that 10,000 Japanese are reported to bo advancing north-east of Mukden. ' Official Japanese despatches state that neither of the contestants at Liaoyang has realised any visible result of tho fighting. Dnofficial Tokio advices state that the strength of the second Russian line exceeds that of the Anshantien army. The Russians on Sunday last evacuated Taken Pass, abandoning the valley, after a lively artillery engagement. , Tho unknown strength of the Japanese forces up the Liao river occasions General Kouropatkin anxiety. FURTHER, DETAILS OF THE BATTLE., SEIZURE OF IMPORANT POSITIONS RUSSIANS AGAIN WORSTED. (Received September 2,9.5 D p.m.) LONDON, September 2. Tho Japanese on Tuesday and Wednesday desperately attacked a long chain of splendidly fortified positions on tho Russian southern front. They confronted a tremendous fire, and for 'a long time the attack failed, hut ultimately they dislodged the Russians from threo positions, thus enabling them to capture on Thursday the remaining heights, and forcing tho Russian right and centre to retire. Five thousand Japanese troops have landed at Newchwang. Marshal Oyama has ordered 35,000 troops held in reserve near Port Arthur to proceed north. general Sakharoff reports that, a division of Japanese infantry, with artillery and cavalry, crossed Taitse river on Wednesday night, and advanced westwards, screening the passage of other troops, towards an advanced position. General Sakharoff, in his report, claims that in desperate fighting on the 30th and 31st the Russians maintained all advanced positions, though exposed to a hail of shrapnel. The Russian rifle-pits, in millet fields, fronting tho fortified positions, were completely filled with Japanese corpses. General Mfosovski was wounded during tho battle.

HEAVY LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES. FIVE THOUSAND RUSSIAN CASUALTIES. (Received September 2, 10.18 p.m.) ■ LONDON, September 2. It is estimated at St. Petersburg that the Russian losses on Wednesday numbered five thousand. General Sakharoff’s report says that the Russian losses were considerable on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Japanese losses enormous. DISMAY AT ST. PETERSBURG. ANXIETY ABOUT THE RETREAT. LONDON, September 2. The optimism which was manifested at St. Petersburg lias been converted into profound pessimism. - No telegrams have been received from Liaoyang since Thursday morning. It is feared that the Japanese hold the telegraph lines. It is persistently reported that General Kouropatkin ordered a retreat, but found all avenues 'bf retirement cut off. Reuter’s correspondent at Mukden reports that the train service to Liaoyang was interrupted late on Thursday evening. The roads are impassable. It is reported at St. Petersburg that General Linevitch, with 30,000 men, is within two days’ march of Mukden. It is reported at Tokio and Shanghai that the Japanese occunied Liaorarg on Thursday afternoon,'but there is no official confirmation. The reported capture of forty-six Japanese guns is not confirmed. ■ ■

VIEWS OF MILITARY CRITICS. LONDON, September 1. Herman military critics take a very unfavourable view of the Russian situation. They complain that General Kouropatkin’s tactics do not exhibit an energetic initiative, hy which alone lie will he able to prevent the Japanese concentrating around his position, which is strategically weak. They also declare that unless the Russians are victorious all along the line a groat disaster is impending. (Received September 3, 1.7 a.in.) LONDON, September 3. s Military critics consider that General Kouropatkin’s only chance is to annihilate General Kuroki’s force at any cost. NEUTRAL SHIRS AND COMMERCE. LONDON, September 1. Lord Lansdowne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, replying to the Chamber of Shipping, said a satisfactory solution of the question connected with the rights of neutrals and commerce was immensely difficult while the war was in active progress. The Government, however, had reason to believe that their strong representations to the Russian Government were receiving the consideration they were entitled to expect. (Received September 2, 9.59 p.m.), LONDON, September 2. There is an impression that tho volunteer cruiser Smolensk has rounded the Capo of Good Hope, and is not likely to ho spoken before reaching St. Vincent. JAPANESE TRANSPORT.' LONDON, September 1.

The Customs Commissioner at Chefoo detained tho Japanese steamer Independent, laden with foodstuffs for Newchwang. A Japanese destroyer hurriedly arrived. It is believed that it will bo proved that the Independebt had ten million yen aboard to pay General Kuroki’s army. Later. The Independebt has been permitted to proceed to Nqwchwnng. RUSSIAtiTwARSHIPS. (Received September 3, 1.7 a.m.) LONDON, September 2. ■Several Russian warships are going to the Canary Islands, where colliers are awaiting their arrival.