Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-08-03
RUSSIANS FACE DEFEAT,
Decisive Battle Of the War Is
Now in Progress.
OVERWHELMED BY JAPS
The Mikado's Forces Appear in Such
Numbers That Russian General
Staff Is Dunlfounded

ported here that Gen. Kuroki was sue
cessful in the battle fought near Hal
/ Cheng yesterday.
Heavy firing was heard at New
Chwang today.
| The Japanese have removed ten cleo
tric mines from Lao river and others
have been located
A strong japanese guard has been
placed at the Yinkow railroad station.
A recent arrival from Port Arthur says
the japanese are five miles distant from
the Russian strongholds, the approaches
to which are heavily mined. The Chinese
remaining at Port Arthur are being well
treated. Rice is scarce, but bread is said
to be plentiful.
Kai Cheng, Aug. 1.-5:45 p. m.-An
artillery duel ragged all day along the
whole front, but the Russians hold their
! positions.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 1.-4:12 p. m
The latest reports from the scene of the
battle are to the effect that the Russians
Up 10 last night had successfully repused
the japanese attacks against Simou-
cheng.
St Petersburg, Aug. 1850 y. NAT
last the decisive battle of the campaign
seems to be in progress. Having COM
pleted his enveloping movement Of the
Russian position Gen. Kuroki has or
ali points against Hal Cheng and Lilac
Yang. Fighting is raging on both fronts
and still continues.
The latest reports contain nothing YET
confrmaIory OF the rumors that Gen.
Kuropatkin has been defeated. Accord
ing to kuropatkin's official dispatch TO
! the Emperor, the battle began for the
possession of the important position at
/ Simoucheng, which is located at the
juncture of the Fepg Wang Chens and
Siuyen roads. Two separate armies
were launched from the east above the
! two roads, while a third, under Gen.
Oku. moved up east of the railroad from
Ia Tche Niao, to try to cut off the Rus
sian force there from Hal Cheng. If
the latter move is successful this force
will be crushed.
A portion of Gen. Kuroki's army At
| the same time advanced against Gen.
j Count Keller's position at 1khavuen, east
! of Lao Yang, trying the faVorlte Japa-
nese plan Of outtanking him on the right.
| Still further north. on the Saimatsza-
Lao Yang road, the Japanese moved for
ward against HoutsiatZe, twenty-five
miles from Lao Yang. At all points the
japanese employed artillery to the best
advantage.
Gen Kuropatkin's position will be 6es-
perate in the event of his defeat. The
/ keenest anxiety is felt at the war office
for news of the progress Of the battle.
The general staff seems utterly dumb
/ founded at the number Of men the Japa-
nese possess and consequently kuropat-
kin's statement that they are landing an
other heavy force at the port Of New
/ Chwang adds TO the solicitude.
Attacked on All Sides.
! St. Petersburg, Aug. 1.-The Emperor
today received the following dispatch.
dated July 81, from Gen. Kuropatllin:
Three japanese armies have renewed
| offensive operations on our southern
! front. Our rear guard made an obstinate
defense until the appearance of consid-
erably superior forces of the enemy and
then gradually retired in the direction
Of Hal Cheng A detachment near
! Hal Cheng successfully withstood the
enemy until 3 in the afternoon.
The attack was directed against our
right flank, which from it's position a.
Kanhua pass inflicted great losses on
the japanese.
Turns Russia's Right Flank.
.'Thc efforts Of the Takushan army
/ and Gen. Oku's army today are being
mainly directed to cutting our communi-
cations between Simoucheng and Hal
! Cheng, their operations starting from a
line traversing Yanshukan. Tapuntse
and Lao Hantse. Gu our eastern front
the japanese began the offensive this
morning against our Ikhavuen position,
the enemy's main concentration being
against right flank, which was turned.
| laps Attack on All Sides.
''The enemy is also acting Oh the often
I CO. hoty Soi TVS
almost due north of Feng Wang Cheng,
! against our troops posted at Houtsiatse,
twenty-five miles from Lao Yang.
Intelligence has been received of a
considerable number of japanese landing
/ off Yinkow under the cover of several
warships."
Retain Their Possessions
St. Petersburg, Aug. IA further dis
patch from Gen. Kuropatkin to the EN-
peror; dated today, says:
! Simoucheng, when the fighting ceased at
Gas p. m. July j.. put l have not vet
| received reports Of the operation on our
extreme right flank
I'VE retained all our positions held
by our eastern force at Yangse pass.
! Gen. Keller commanding had chosen
these as the points from which to watch
! the fight. A battery near him was cx-
! posed to heavier fire than any other and
be was mortally wounded at 3 o'clock
this afternoon. He died twenty minutes
/ later"
Kuropatkin Tells of Defeat.
/ Gen. Kuropatkin also reported the re-
! tirement of the Russian vanguard on the
! south front, a short distance in the di-
rection of Hal Cheng.
After determined fighting near the vii
lage Of Sancthengtse the japanese APP
parently concentrated considerable forces
on the SaimatsZa side Of Liao Yang.
! The Russian losses in the fighting On
/ July 81 have not yet been received, but
the Russians held their positions
Attack On Siraoucheng.
Hal Cheng, Aug. 1.-The japanese on
! Saturday attacked the heights of kang-
wa pass, the right Of the Russian position
at Simoucheng. Under cover or their
artillery the Japanese infantry charged,
but the Russian guns drove them back
/ ROOSEVELTS DODGE
CTD DDTCE Dhnu,y7