Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-10-22
JADED ARMIES REST AFTER
THE LENGTHY AND TERRIBLE
STRUGGLE.
MAY EVACUATE MUKDEN
Rainy Weather and sodden Roads
Compel a Practical Truce Between
Opposing Armies Indications
Point to Probable Evacuation of
Mukden by Russians. /.

N0N6VN Ny ndooidttos
Since the capture Of the points
mentioned the Japanese assert
that they have successfully re-
sisted number of sorties in the
attempts to recapture them. It is
asserted that the Russian force
at Port Arthur now numbers S.
600 men, excluding the militia
which is not engaged In fighting
but patrols the streets, doing pro-
vost duty.
Winter clothing is very scarce
at Port Arthur, shoes particularly.
The town is full of wounded.
Flour Is plentiful, but the sIaugh-
ter Of horses, mules and donkeys
continues.
Chinese who have reached Chez
Foo from Port DaIny say that
Japanese reinforcements continue
to arrive daily. The Japanese con-
firm this.
Chez Foo. Oct. 20.-The most
important events at Port Arthur
include the capture by the Japan
csc of further minor positions near
Riplung mountain and the severe
damage Of the Japanese torpedo
boat destroyer by striking float
ing mine. According to the Chin
csc advices which have reached
here today the Japanese made as
saalts~,on the remaining outer
works of Ripling mountain at
dawn October. s. and were re-
pulsed. On the following day the
Russians made an attack on the
Japanese trenches and they were
in turn repulsed.
Follow With Second Assault.
The Japanese Immediately fol-
lowed with another assault result
ing in the capture Of the railroad
bridge. which is five hundred
yards from the main fortress. The
Importance Of these captures lies
in the fact that they curtail the
Russian fire in harassing the Jap
anese who may attempt to advance
on the trenches located on the
slope Of Riplung mountain.
Toxic. Oct. 2O.-Reliable reports re
eived from private sources estimat
he losses of the Japanese left arm
Turing the recent battle at about fiv
thousand. The number of the Russia,
lead is largely increased by furthe
discovery Of bodies notwithstandin
he nightly removals by lantern light
The Russian forces heavily reinforce
W six divisions now confront the jar
snese left army. Additional casualtie
If the center army just reported ar
.welve officers killed and thirt
Heaviest Blow Struck.
With Oku's left army (Sixteent
via Tienten), Oct. 20.-The seven days
battle north of Yentai was the heavies
blow yet struck the Russians by tn
Japanese SO far as loss of life is cor
cerned. The Japanese army durin
the week buried 400 Russian dea
left in front of it's lines. A villiag
In front of the left wing contains man
Russian dead but the shell fire of til
retreating Russians prevents the Jal
anese from reaching them.
Casualties $4,000.
Conservative estimates place til
casualties at not less tina
$4,000. Probably many MOI
dead are on the field in places M
yet searched.
Japs Lose 5000.
The Japanese report their total cas-,
slities at little over 5000 killed an
The principal Russian cas-
alities occurred in the determine
counter attacks at each village cal
tured by the Japanese. Russian a
lacking parties in many cases wei
entirely annihilated. For the first tim
the Russians have met the Japanes
on an equal footing, not having stron
defensive positions to depend upo
and for the first time they attacke
the japanese in their own trenches.
Russians Fought Brave!y.
Russians everywhere fought brave,
but they were unable to drive the ia
srese out or to hold. their own pos
lions against the fierce charges. A
most in every case the Russians r
Tired from their positions at the fir
charge, then made repeated attemp
10 recapture. The Japanese left arm
with a front of nearly ten miles, hi
moved forward, about five miles fgh
ing every inch of the ground.
The final retreat of the Russian
vas almost rout. The Russians co
.red the retreat well with artille,
Ind carried away much baggage an
many wounded. At 1880 this mornir
ha Russians made a determined cou