Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-08-27
The Japs and Russians
Fight Hand to
Hand
IN LAST ENGAGEMENT
Two Big Invading Armies Are
Joined in Great
Effort

L.iaoyang, Aug 81. - Kuroki mas
Joined forces with Oku in an attempt
TO cut the Russian line east OF Lao
wang. The battle of the 25th rageo
along the eastern front. a strong Jap
anese force attacked the Russian posi-
tions at Mao Pass. IL miles east or
Anshanshan, and at Sandiatzi and
.Tregow, IL miles south of Anshanshan
Nine batteries of six guns each bonn
barded the Russian Outposts.
Hand-to-Hand Fighting.
At these points the combat repeat
edly developed into hand-to-hand fight
ing. The Russians stubbOrnly held the
outpOsts the whole day, falling back
on their main position at night. The
chief artillery engagement was in
front of Liandiasian. the Japanese con-
centrating the fire of 10 batteries and
simultaneously advancing on Torints-
pu. four miles southwest of Liandian-
sian, but they were arrested by Cos
sacks, who were afterwards reinforc-
ed by infantry and artillery.
The Japanese resumed the lombard
ment early Aug. 26, devoting most OF
their attention to Liandiansian. The
Russian field guns were very effective.
They dismantled 80 Jap guns, mostly
mountain pieces. The casualties are
not asceTtained.
Second Great Army.
Berlin, Aug. 27-The Tageblatts ct.
Petersburg dispatch says Russia is de-
termined to assemble a second great
army in Manchuria, consisting of
three or four corps. with general head
quarters at Mukden. The object of
this step is to- meet the situation that
will arise should Port Arthur fall. thus
releasing the besieging army for Op-
erationS northwards.
Russian LOSSES 1000.
St. Petersburg, Aug. 27.-The Rus
sian casualties are placed at over 1000
in the report of Kuropatkin relative to
the fighting around Liaoyang yester-
day The Japanese sustained serious
losses. while "a of their guns are re-
ported put out of action.
Heavy Artillery Firing.
Field Headquarters. Second Japan
ese Army, via Fusan, Aug. 25.-Part of
Kuroki's army advanced against the
Russians beyond Yushi pass early to-
day There was heavy artillery firing
for several hours, which finally ceased
before noon. 1t is believed the Rus
slams are retiring toward Anping.
ST Petersburg, Aug. 27.-The rumor
that the Japanese had effected an en-
trance into Port Arthur does not OBJ
tain credence at the war Office, al
though it is admitted that no news
has been received from Gen. Stoessel
since the 22nd.
Entire Force ON Move.
London. Aug. 27.-The long delayed
attack of the Japanese on Lao Yang
has been begun, and il is probable
that Gen. Kuropatkin. is facing the de-
Cisive battle of the northern campaign
the engagement which has appeared
imminent so many times. For three
days fighting of a severe character has
been going on east and south of Lao
Yang the Japanese centering their
guns on TantZiaputzy. between the
strong positions of Anping and Liam
diansian. They also have moved their
forces close to the latter town. and
from the advantage of a mountain
spur are Shelling the defenSes. The
Russian outposts have been driven in
by two divisions of the enemy.
Apparently the entire strength of
the Japanese northern forces is being
concentrated for the attack. The fight
ing. which is reported by Kuropatkin.
evidently is with Kuroki's men, but a
dispatch from the headquarters of the
second Japanese army shows that il
also is closing in. and the troops
which have moved up the Lao river TO
the westward OF Lao Yang should be
i'll position to execute any necessary
thanking movement, even to the extent
of preventing a Russian retreat.
The assault on Port Arthur appar-
emily has ceased for the moment, and
a report from Gen. Stoessel. dated Aug
%. says the besiegers have worn them
selves Out.
object of the LuII.
Toxic. Aug 27.-It is understood
the lull following the desperate fight
ing the first half OF the week at Port
Arthur was for the purpose of allow
ing the men to rest and completing
preparations for pressing the attack