Tokio gives out semi-official statement that Japanese casualties at the battle of Heikontai were near 10,000. February 21.—Lieutenant-General Stoessel, former commandant at Port Arthur, lands at Kaffa, Russia, on his return from the Far East, and is received by a cheering crowd. February 22.—A Cossack raid reaches nearly to the Yalu River, and destroys a Japanese depot of supplies. February 24.—The Japanese move northward along the eastern coast of Korea, fortify Port Lazareff and threaten Vladivostok. The Japanese move forward in the Tsinkhetchin district, and after desperate fighting force the Russians to abandon their base at Beresneff Hill. 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. March 2.—The Russian flanks are pushed backward and Kuropatkin’s entire army continues to retire before the onslaughts of the Japanese. March 3.—General Kuropatkin is in retreat toward Tie Pass and a portion of Oyama’s army reaches a point eleven miles west of Mukden. The battle around Mukden continues, the results generally favoring the Japanese. March 4.—General Kuropatkin’s left flank suffers and his position grows still more critical. March 5.—A fierce artillery engagement rages throughout the day and Marshal Oyama continues his flanking movement. March 6.—General Kuropatkin is hemmed in and vigorously attacks the Japanese left centre. Marshal Oyama relentlessly tightens his lines in an endeavor to trap his foe.