The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-06-28
RUSSIANS FINALLY ASSUME OF.
Isf FENslvE AGAINST okU.
BOTH SIDES SEEM READY
willy Jap General outmaneuvers En-
envy at Important Point and
Gains Decided Advantage.

Ia Tche KiaO (BetWeen klaO CnOu
and Hal Cheng, Lao Tung P~eninsula),
June 27.-A great battle seems to be
impending. A portion of the Russian
army has assumed the offensive
against the japanese forces command
ed by General Oku, and it is reported
that Kuroki is moving along the Rus
sian left flank against Hal Cheng.
According to a high placed parsonage,
General Kuroki's army is strong
enough to take the offensive, and
he presumably is anxious for a decis-
i've action before the rains begin.
Sharp firing was heard in the hills
yesterday at daybreak, and severe
fighting is reported to be in progress
near the village of Ton Chen. An Off
Ger who galloped in last evening re-
ported that the Russians were gain
ing the upper hand and driving back
the enemy. This, however, has not
yet been confirmed.
All day yesterday Russian troops
were hurrying from Ia Tche Kiao,
and by night were moving out brisk
ly to the accompaniment of their bat
tie songs. Clouds of dust hung over
the marching columns, and the chorus
Of the infantry singers was occasion
ally interrupted by the rattle and
clang Of guns drawn at a smart trot,
and followed by galloping s%quadrons
of cavalry.
1t was a stirring spectacle to see the
Russian army eagerly Fastening, sing
ing, into battle. The old battle hymns
last heara in the Balkans, resounded
among the hills and valleys, as with
bayonets glittering in the setting sur
the regimental colors were borne ma
jestically forward.
For hours after darkness fell over
the scene, one could still hear the
rattle of moving guns, the creaking
of commissiariat wagons, and the
tread of marching men, while occa-
sionally, in place of the war songs of
the soldiers, homely melodies recount
ing the joys of village life, which car
ried the minds of the men back to
their distant homes in Russia, echoed
through the air.
AS this dispatch is filed news reach
ed here that General Kuroki is march
ing upon Hal Cheng. There are very
many military attaches and news.
paper correspondents here.
Chicago, June PA special to the
Daily News from Toxic says:
1T is stated by the war Office that
General Oku's army has passed the
mountain barrier protecting the right
flank and rear of Kuropatkin's forces,
In the passes between Kai Chou and
Mo Tien pass. The Russian position
has thus been rendered s~trategically
untenable in the course OF the opera.
tions Of the coming week, unless the
Russians resist the advance of the
Japanese more successfully than hith-
erto. In that event General Kuroki
will be relieved of the necessity OF
attacking frontally the main strong
hold of the Muscovites between Feng
Wang Cheng and. the railway"
Lao Yang, June 27.-The apparent
cessation Of the Japanese advance in
the Lao Yang peninsula is attributed
here to the loss of two or three trans.
ports carrying ammunition. It is re
ported that the naval battle off Port
Arthur caused an alteration in the
Japanese plans.
ST. Petersburg, June 27.-The Jap
anese have evacuated Seluchan, ap
parently with the object of enticine
General Kuropatkin south. In the
meantime, General Kuroki is advanc
ing on Hal Cheng, ready to attack
The Russian left, and is again moving
troops north from Feng Wang Cheng
The result of the recent develop
ments, it is believed by the general
stan, will defer the prospects of a big
battle.
The Russians lost 81 men in the
recent fight north of All Yang Pien
Men. about 60 miles northeast of Feng
Wang Cheng, on the Mukden road.
Poultry. k-s25
<%fw 1-.AM -, = = 1s.l.