CABLE NEWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3494, 9 March 1905, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

Russo-Japanese Struggle. .—■—» —-■—

AN IMPENDING CRISIS. RUSSIAN ARMIES IN DANGER OF ENVELOPMENT. London*, March 8. It is reported at Tokio that General K mropatkm has already commenced a general retreat, and that his army is now partially enveloped. The position of the Russian Com-mander-in-Chief is considered to be highly critical. ' General Bilderling, Commander of Russia’s third Manchurian Army, who is south ot Mukden, is calling in his reserves.

The despatches received by the Authorities at Tokio from Marshal Oyama imply that General Kuroki is turning the Russian positions at Kaotuling (sixteen miles south-east of Mukden and the same distance south of Fushan). It is announced at Tokio that the possession of Mukden and the line of the Hunho is already assured and that the railway north of Mukden will be cut.

Thirty thousand Japanese are entrenched fivC miles west of Mukden and others six miles south of Mukden.

The Russians, becoming alarmed, burnt the Government buildings preparatory to retreat. Civilian refugees are pouring info Tieling (thirty miles north of Mukden, on the railway) and Sinmmting (forty miles north-west, by road, and the terminus of the Chinese railway). The Japanese have occupied the telegraph office at Sinminting. Sounds of fighting have been heard coming from far north of Mukden. Advices have been received at Tokio that both wings of the Russian army are aittflankea.