unauthenticated rumours are plentiful enough, as always happens when a
great movement is in train. The main outlines of the scheme are clear, now that all the three Japanese armies have emerged from the mountainous country and are operating on the plains of the Liao River. Sinc3 the fall of Kai-ping the Second and Third Armies are shepherding, the Russian forces up the valley, while General Kuroki has advanced the right of the First Army in order to complete the circle around them. A large Russian force is probably at Ta-shih-chiao, the objective of the Japanese flanking 'movement, and it is possible that General Kuropatkin is there with his main army. The Russians are evidently alive to the danger, and prepara- tions are being made to oppose Kuroki in force. If Japanese strategy is successful, the cordon will soon be closed, and the main Russian army must fight or surrender. A telegram on Friday from Newchwang seems to indicate that this battle is now in progress. The encircling movement in the north has temporarily diverted attentien from Port Arthur, the Japanese evidently believing that that fortress must be conquered- on the Liao. Four Russian cruisers made a sortie last Saturday, and were driven back ; while on Sunday the Japanese made a torpedo attack, which was repulsed without loss.
