New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-05
FIGHTING NEAR SAMAJA.
Russian Reports Contlict-Talk of
Aggressive MOUe.

ST. Petersburg June 4.-The general staff has
received the following dispatch from General
Sakharoff. dated May 81:
The TransbafkaI Cossacks encountered Japan%
csc troops at a pass half way between Tsian-
Chow and Samaja. The Japanese occupied a
strong position on heights The Cossacks formed
front under heavy fire. attacked the enemy
and forced them to evaCuate the position. The
Russian losses were six Cossacks killed and
twenty-five wounded. including Lieutenant
Colonel Zabotkn.
The War Offices account Of this fight says
that it took place on June l. twenty miles north
Of Samaja. at Fen-Chow-Ling Pass. The cas-
ualties the same In number as those given
in General Sakharoffs dispatch. The Cossacks
were five companies of General Rennenkampf's
force. and the dispatch adds that they were re-
pulsed.
The Cossacks dismounted and attacked on
foot but. owing TO the difficult nature of the
ground and the strong defensive position held
by the japanese and their stubborn resistance
the attack was not pressed and the Cossacks
drew Off
NO particular Importance IS attached at the
War Office to the appearance of this detach-
ment OF the enemy. it being believed that Cen
eral Kurok is keeping his flank well protected
in order 10 rid himself OF the spying eyes Of the
Cossacks.
Since the receipt Of General Stoessers report
the general staff Is convinced that the Japanese
losses IN the lighting about Kin Chow were
greater than officially admitted 1t is known
that only the seriously wounded we're included
in that category. There indications that
both OF the commanders pursuing this plan.
the wounds made by the small calibre high
velocity bullets heal quickly and in a few weeks
most of the wounded men are again ready for
active service.
al Lie fHa al &c
inbued with the belief that important develop
ments are impending at Yang. and that a
general engagement between the armies of Cen
eral Kuroki and General Kuropatkin is immi-
nent. The best informed circles at the War Of
flee do not anticipate a decisive battle imme-
diately. unless brought on by accidental coll
lsion between strong columns The War Offices
information does not indicate that the Jap
anese have concentrated for an attack Kuro-
patkin. and 1T is said that they not yet
ready TO assume the offensive 1t is known.
however that differences of opinion exist at the
Russian headquarters as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF
taking the aggressive. and it is believed this
matter was the subject of the conference be-
tween the commander in chief and the Niceroy
at Moukden on Tuesday
General Kuropatkin's position is becoming
formidable both in the number and character
of the troops at his disposal The condition Of
some of the Siberian Reserves when called to
the colors was not satisfactory. and caused
Kuropatkin misgivings. but it is now reported
that they have been drilled into state of eff
cheney. More important. however. are the large
reinforcements of field artillery in which the
Russian army was especially weak. These have
now arrived.
The commander in chief. however. does not
consider himself strong enough to risk the pos
sibility of a defeat which might be irretrievable
and mean disaster or years of campaigning. His
friends here say that if he gives battle OF his
own voltion victory is certain. and they praise
his steady conservatism. caution and refusal to
listen to the counsel of the HOtspUrs
The Russian authorities have not been ad-
vised by NJ. Lessar. the Russian Minister to
China. Of the proposition alleged to have been
made to China by Japan to hand over the towns
captured by the Japanese In Manchuria to
Chinese civil administration. or of the reported
refusal of the Picking government to assign the
administration to a neutral power The For
eign Office cannot believe that such PROPOSE
ton was submitted, pointing out that, while the
war is in progress, the fact that certain terri
tory is occupied by the Japanese does not
necessarily mean that it will remain in their
hands. Russia would, Of course. refuse to
recognize an arrangement which might hamper
her military operations. and she does not be-
leve that the powers would consider even for
a moment a proposition of this character.
At the conclusion of the war, II Japan is vic
torious 1t is considered that. as she herself Is
under the pledge not to undertake. even tenn
porarily, the civil administration of Manchuria,
she would be free to take this course If Japan
has actually opened negotiations with China
this subject, it will be regarded here as an
attempt to raise International complications in
the hope of forcing the powers to interfere while
the credit of the balance OF war is on Japan Q
side.
GIT A RnING DIN A CETT A