Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-12-09
Will Fight to the Last.
win Sink Their ships,

laSL man ana the last carthage IN POrl
Arthur.
Will Sink Their Ships.
The ships in the harbor, it can now
be stated on high authority, are in no
condition to attempt to break through
the investing squadron. The guns OF
the warships were long ago landed and
the marines and sailors have been par
ticipating in the land defense. Some
of the ships also have been injured by
shells. If the fortress falls it is under
stood they will be taken outside and
sunk in deep water in order to prevent
service to the enemy.
Fail to Recover Hill.
Toxic, Dec St is reported here
that the Russians have attempted to
retake 203 Meter Hill. They assem-
bled a strong force, and assaulted the
position, but were repulsed with
heavy loss.
Seventeen Officers Killed.
Toxic, Dec 3.-Imperial headquar-
ters makes the announcement that
II officers have been killed and GA
wounded in the field, but does not
mention the place. 1t is presumed
that 1t was at Port Arthur.
Cold Weather Affects Japs.
st. Petersburg, Dec. 3.-The situation
Of the armies below Mukden Is again
attracting attention, but the move
ments in progress are very puzzling
The war Office Is inclined =" reticence.
Gen. Rennenkampff has holly pursued
q Japanese detachment below Sintsin.
tin, as far as the Taitse river, and on
the right Russian scouts have explored
the Hun river below Liaoyang. All
the passes fell into Rennenkampff'a
hands. The japanese apparently failed
to show their old-time form and on.
cial, as well as unofficial, dispatches
indicate that the edge has been taken
OF the Japanese fighting capabilities by
the cold weather. The same reports
say the Japanese threw away their
rifles, many Of which were captured.
Other reports say Japanese officers
shot five soldiers who refused to face
the foe. There was heavy lombard.
ment on Friday along the Russian cen.
ter and right, which might indicate
that Gen. Kuropatktn Is preparing to
assume the offensive.
May Be Japanese Trap.
Reports the last few days indicate
that Gen. Rennenkampff Is hotly fol-
lowing up the Japanese retreat, meet.
ing with comparatively little resist.
ance. but some fear Is expressed that
he may be running into a Japanese
trap, formed with the hope Of cuttina
of his command. It is believed he
cannot possibly hold a position so ia,
south as the Taitse river.
1t is the general opinion in military
circles that the present situation can.
not continue much longer, but It is ar.
gued that frontal attack against for.
titled positions along the Shake river
is bound to be disastrous to whichever
side attempts 1t. Any serious advance,
to be successful, It Is believed at the
war office, must be accomplished BY
wide strategic turning movement. al.
the armies are too close for tactical
thanking operations.
Japs Burn Supplies.
st. Petersburg, Dec. g. Dispatches
received at Mukden Friday say that
Gen. Rennenkampff's force November
30 drove the Japanese out of a new
position southwark of Tsinkhetchen.
The fighting was short and sharp. The
Japanese burned their supply depots
In three villages and retreated pur.
sued by Cossacks as far as the Taitse
river. The japanese losses were
about so killed and 100 wounded. The
Cossacks destroyed japanese tele-
graph line and occupied the village
of Suirun. about seven and one-haH
miles southeast of Tsinkhetchen.
Gen. Sakharoff reports that a Rus
sian accommodating force attacked the
Japanese who were entrenched q
Lamatun at nightfall. November 80, and
drove them out at the point of the
bayonet, pursuing them as far as the
shakhe river. About Is japanese
were bayoneted. The Russians Sc
cured many rifles and equipment. The
Russians obtained similar success on
the right wing. Their losses In both
affairs were Insignificant
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