February 25.—A battle involving General Kuropatkin’s left flank opens south of Mukden.
Mr. Kogoro Takahira, Japanese Minister to the United States, says that his country has made no peace advances to Russia.
February 26.—The battle brought on by the flank movement of the Russians is continued, and General Kuropatkin admits another defeat. Japanese capture the city of Tsinkhetchin, drive in the Russian outposts and cross the Sha River. It is reported that Oyama’s artillery is even throwing shells into Mukden.
February 27.—A number of Russian naval officers returning from Port Arthur are entertained by Count Cassini in Washington. Other Russian officers from the same siege land at Victoria, British Columbia; in interviews they speak disparagingly of General Stoessel, one expressing the opinion that Stoessel showed himself to be “not a hero, but a coward.”
Fighting continues about Mukden, the Japanese being the aggressors. It is now certain that General Kuroki has captured Tie Pass from the Russians.
February 28.—The battle near Mukden becomes general along a 100-mile front, and involving 700,000 men.
It is stated that the Cossacks lost 2,000 men at Tsinkhetchin.
March 1.—The Japanese make a terrific bombardment of Lone Tree or Putiloff Hill, employing for the purpose the great siege guns used at Port Arthur.
Fierce fighting rages over the Sha River bridge, which is finally held by the Japanese.
Field Marshal Oyama gradually forces the Russians back in the general battle about Mukden.