The Western news., 1904-10-05
fighting FOR LOST FORTS|
PORT ARTHUR WATER SUPPLY
THE CONTENTION.
Make Repeated Assaults on Jap's Pc.
sitions-Both Sides Suffered Sc.
seveiely-Japanese Newly Mounted
Guns Command Entire Harbor-
Each Side Loses a Boat.


ported to be desperately endeavoring
to retake their lost positions, includ-
ing Fort Kuropatkin, in the hope of
restoring the water supply of Port
Arthur. They are said to have repeat
edly assaulted the Japanese after
shelling from neighboring forts and
batteries. The Japanese continue to
hold the positions. Both sides are
said to have suffered severely The
newly mounted heavy Japanese guns
are said to command the entire har-
Dor. The position of the remnant OF
the Russian Port Arthur fleet is said
to be precarious, and it is believed that
destroyed.
Advices from Manchuria are to the
effect that the japanese and Russian
outposts and scouts continue in close
contact south, southeast and east OF
Mukden. Skirmishes are occurring
daily and an aggressive general action
is expected soon.
1t is believed that the general en-
gagement will take plcae near Tie
pass and that General Kuropatkin is
holding Mukden and positions along
the Hun river merely to temporarily
check the Japanese advance. Snow has
fallen in the mountains west of Muk-
den and there has been frost in the
valleys.
Jap Boat Sunk.
1t is rumOred that a Japanese gun
boat struck a mine and sunk south
of the Liaotung peninsula. A portion
OF her crew reached an island and
were rescued. The name of the gun
boat is unknown. The navy depart
ment does not deny the report, but
says the department lacks confirma-
tory information.
A 9O-ton junk from Newchwang to
Shanghai ran on mine 25 miles north
OF Chefoo. No one was injured. The
junk was kept atloat by her water
tight compartment. She reached here
with all available hands working the
pumps.
Russian Steamer Sunk.
Tokio.-The navy department re
ports the destruction OF another Rus
sian steamer used in clearing mines
at the entrance of Port Arthur har-
Dor. The steamer struck mine Sep
tember 20, and sunk.
Navy officials express the opinion
that the Russians are suffering from
shortage of small steamers, useful in
clearing mines.
kuropatkin Is Chief.
ST. Petersburg, Oct. 4.-The semi
official announcement was made last
night that General kuropatkin has
been appointed commander in chief OF
Russian armies in Manchuria, and that
Generals Meyenberg, Grippenberg and
Linevitch will command the armies
under him. This announcement is be-
ing greeted with general satisfaction
by the press, and the official cOntir-
nation is awaited w..n anxiety. Near
ly all the newspapers say that in ar
irving at this decision the czar not
only gives his due to the best man
who could possibly have been selected
for the post, but that from now on the
fortunes of war will take a turn in
favor of the Russians. Inquiries at
the war Office elected no definite state
ment, but no denial was made of kuro-
patkin's appointment.
Train Carries Wounded Men.
General Oku's Headquarters in the
Field, Oct. 3, via Fusan, Oct. 4.-The
first southbound train over the recon
structed railway left this morning,
carrying 490 Japanese wounded, 100
sick and 33 wounded Russian prison
ers, en- route to Japan. The wounded
are practically the last of the Japan.
ese wounded at the battle of Liaoyang.
The hospitals are now devoted to those
suffering from beriberi and other dis
eases. The positions Of the Japanese
army remain unchanged. Thousands
of fresh Japanese soldiers are arriv-
ing.
Standard Oil Profits.
MI