THE WAR IN MANCHURIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7758, 9 March 1905, Page 3

THE WAR IN MANCHURIA

CAPTURE OF MUKDEN ASSURED. Russians Preparing to Leave. THE PJSITIOH HIGHLY CRITICAL. (Received March 8. 10.4:! p.m.) LONDON, March 8. It is announce;! in Tokio that possession of Mukden and Vile raihvaj line to Hanho is already assured, and that the railway iiosth of Mukden will be cut. j Thii'.y thousand Japanese are eujtrenched live miles west of Mukden ; 'others six miles to the south. | The Russians, growing alarmed, | burned the Government buildings ,preparatory to the retreat. Civilian I refugees are pouring into Tieling and | Sinniinting. The Japanese have occupied the telegraph ollice at Sinminling. The noise of lighting has been heard far north of .Mukden. (ieneral Oyama's despatches imply that (leneral Ivuroki, on turning the Kaotuling position, reported to .Tokio that General Kuropatkin had ! already commenced a general ;e----treat, and was now partially envclo|)ed. The position is highly critical. • General Bildering. to the south of Mukden, is calling in the reserves. KUROPATKIH'S REARGUARD RETIRING (Received March 8, 11.9 p.m.) LONDON, March 8. (ieneral Kuropatkin continues resolutely to defend I'ushan. General Oyama reports slow but favourable progress in the Munchutan district, also the repulse of the Russian division neur the Imperial tombs. The Daily Telegraph's Tokio correspondent reports that General Kuroptttkin's left rear guard, Consisting of 20,000 picked troops, is rearing. Advices at Tokio state the Russians' both wings were outflanked. 'J ha Morning I'ost says the issue dopendson whether the Jhpanese fjfainkinfe party isj numeniqailly strong enough to retain a grip of the enemy. The Standard iVports 03 oflicers). 12 engineer.;, and 2000 seamen at SeImstopol have been ordered to join tho remainder of the llaltic fleet at Libau. JAPANESE CONSUL'S ADYICE. (Received March 'J, (>.32 a.m.) SYDXKY, March ». Tlie Japanese Consul's (tables report states that repeated Russian counter attacks on Tita and Masienutan on the ftth were realised, the Japanese occupying the heights two miles .south o)' Manchnlun, and in the direction of Pensihu they occupied the heights south of l'aitzuliou, driving IHe enemy towards Sanciiiatcliu. It | also reiiorts that in the direction of | the Shaho a counter attack was re|>u!swt on the east of the railwayj. \n engagement is proceeding west of the railway. The Russians are offering a stout iVsistance on the right tank of the Hunho. A division of Kussaans with 70 ijiin.s w*as» repulstd at Taschichiao.