Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-13
THE WAR IN THE EAST.

UNOFFICIAL kepOrts Ol oahS "'J
BattIe-Rumors of Sea Fight-Be-
Iieved Russians are About TO Fan
into Trap with Japanese North and
South.
London, July 13.-While nothing
official is at hand TO confirm the report,
it is generally believed this morning
that fierce fight has occurred at Port
Arthnr, on the land side, and possibly
also an attack by the japanese by sea.
The first report intimating such thing
came late yesterday, and reached 81.
Petersburg via Chefoo. This report
had it that the japanese had made a
determined assault on the Port Arthur
works ana had been defeated, losing IN
the neighborhood of thirty thousand
killed and wounded. This report is
again published this morning, in several
London and continental papers, among
them the Evening Star, which has heard
the rumor, from Tien Tsin.. The re-
port might easily be true, as the Japa-
nese are known to have immense forces
concentrated not many miles from the
town of Port Arthur itself As early as
last week, the japanese are known to
have taken several of the outer forts OF
the port, and sufficient time has elapsed
to permit Of the bringing up OF rein
forcements, the arranging OF the assault
ing forces in battlearray, aud the placing
of artillery for the battle. That the
battle, If there has been one, was
terrific one, is attested TO by the
enormous losses rumored. The Russians
are said TO have employed the same tao
tics used in the fight on the heights to
The north of the town over fortnight
ago, when the ground over which the as
saulting Japanese must march was
mined, and set off when large company
of the Mikado's fighters were over the
mines.
Rumors are also thick of sea fight.
.Junks which yesterday reached Cheefoo
say the opposing sea forces were arrayed
against each other on Monday, and one
refugee to Chefoo reports hearing two
terrific explosions in the direction of the
port, indicating that disaster has over
taken one or more of the vessels engaged
Admiral Togo reports a torpedo at
tack on the harbor, but gives no details
other than to say the japanese vessels
were not damaged.
This NAV have been the battle referred
to by the Chefoo refugees, or, on the other
hand, may have been but a feint on the
part of the willy japanese admiral to
draw the Russians out to battle. .
The land forces to the north OF the
port are daily in touch with each other,
though no battle has been reported since
the japanese took Kai Chow several
DAYS ago. The Russians are said to be
slowly but surely retreating while Oku
and his japanese followers are advancing
forcing the Russians back. 1t is be-
lieved in some quarters that the Rus
slams are retreating into trap, and that
a most decisive land battle must occur in
very few days. The japanese patrols
are reported to be but few miles from
Lao Yang, and the main force under
General Kuroki is not far behind. From
this it would appear that the Japanese
under Kuroki will be able to cut OIL the
retreat of the forces of General Kuropat-
kin aud General Stalberg, and catch the
Cars forces in a trap, with General
Oku on the south and General Kuroki
on the north.
London, July 1S.-Baron Hayashi'
the japanese minister, today issued an
official report of the losses by the Japa'
nese during the fight for the occupation
of Kai-Ping (Kai Chow. The report
shows that the losses were remarkably
small for SO fierce an engagement. The
casualties between July 9th and 9TH were
four killed and 20 wounded, while thu
losses on July Sth and 9th we're about
$50 killed and wounded.
st. Petersburg, July l9.-The Russian
general staff officially state that thu
yiceroy Alexieff has been informed from
Japanese sources that the japanese at
tackled the Port Arthur positions on tn
night of July 10, and we're repulse'
with enormous losses. 1t is stated tn
casualties on the japanese side reached
40, 900.
London, July 13.-The Tien Tsil
correspondent of the Evening Star re
peats the report that thousands of Japa
nese have been killed in an unsuccessful
attempt to take Port Arthur from tn
land side.
Cheeioo, July ia Frenchman VIII
has arrived here from Port Arthur say
the japanese took fort No. II on July
St. Petersburg, July l3.-The Gazett
today reports that japanese patrols hav
reached a point twelve miles from Liza
Yang.
London, July 13.-Your cOrrespon
dent at St. Petersburg telegraphs sen
sational rumor to the effect that the Japa
nese after their terrible defeat on Monda.
night, attacked the Port Arthur position
with new forces, and succeeded in takin
them. Your correspondent concludes hi
message. "This rumor seems to me IN
credible" The japanese legation her
has not been advised of the alleged re
pulse ofthe japanese army at Port Arthu
with loss of between 80, 900 and 40, 90
men. The officials of the legation there
fore discredit the rumor.
Reported Denied.
Esopus, n. Y, July 1S.-The repoT
in New York morning paper tina
Judge Parker knew the gold plank wa
out of the original platform at st. Loui
- It.;La.. o..o..;nn. honnnsn Il ,uas nIll