River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-08-11
FIERCE BATTLE
At PORT ARTHUR
JAPANESE REFUSED AFTER A
THREE DAYS FIGHT.
REPORT OF GEN. SToESSEL
Russian Commander Declares Losses
of Japanese to Be Not Less Than
1o,0O0-His Own Casualties
Were About 1900.

st. Petersburg, Aug. 8.-A telegram
from Chefoo dated August says that
according to Chinese information fierce
battle was fought on the land side OF
Port Arthur. The Japanese are reported
to have been repulsed with great loss,
the killed alone being estimated at TO-
600, while the Russians lost about l,OOO.
The telegram says that Lieut.. Gen.
Stoessel was personally in command and
that the conduct of the Russian troops
was splendid.
Stoessel Reports.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 8.-Lieut Gen.
Stoessel, commanding the Russian mill
tary forces at Port Arthur, in an undated
dispatch to the emperor says:
"T am happy to report that the troops
repulsed all the japanese attacks of July
&c, q and 28, with enormous losses. The
garrison's enthusiasm was extraord1-
nary. The fleet assisted in the defense
by bombarding the Japanese flank. Our
losses during the three days was about
1900 men and 40 officers killed or wound
ed. According to statements of Chinese
and prisoners the Japanese lost as many
as 10000. Their losses were so great that
the enemy has not had time to remove
the dead and wounded"
st. Petersburg Pleased.
ST. Petersburg, Aug. 8.-An official re-
port from Lieut.. Gen. Stoessel, command
ing the military forces at Port Arthur,
says the japanese were repulsed with
tremendous loss in three days fight
from July 26 to g. Gen. Kuropatkln re-
ports from Liaoyang some small Russian
successes in outpost fighting up to Au-
gust 5, without the expected great bat
tie having been opened. The simultane-
Gus receipt of favorable news from these
commanders in the far east raised the
spirits of those in the Russian capital
immensely.
The authorities do not divulge the
source of Gen. Stoessel's report, though
it is understood that it came by way of
Chefoo. The fact that the Japanese are
in possession of the country as far north
as Haicheng renders it unlikely that it
came by the land route Gen. Kuropat-
kin's report states that the Japanese are
stationary on his eastern front, the
greatest activity being on the south and
southeast positions, where the Russians
are able to take the offensive. While
the movements in themselves are appar-
emily of no great Importance, they are
interesting, as showing that the Japan
csc are still hating before undertaking
the serious task of attacking Liaoyang
with it's strong circle of defenses.
Praised by the Japs.
Toxic, Aug. 8.-Gen. Kuropatkin's
success in extricating his army from
the Liaotung peninsula without disas-
ter has elected much praise from the
Japanese. The concentrating of his
army at Kaichou at one time seemed
certain to involve it in disaster. 1t was
popularity believed thata generally decis-
i've battle would either. be fought at Tat
chekiao or at Haicheng. 1t is consid
cred here that Kuropatkin sacrificed
his prestige by abandoning an immense
territory without a battle. He was
forced to abandon or destroy valuable
stores and munitions of war when
the transportation was almost the most
serious problem to the Russians. He
also impaired the morale of his army,
but he preserved his men and guns.
It is evident that he had hoped and
planned to check the Japanese at Tat
chekiao Then after holding the enemy
in check, it is believed to have been
his purpose to concentrate his remain
ing force at Liaoyang and to strike
Kuroki The unexpected loss of the
Russian left at Tatchekiao and the ap-
pearance of the Japanese Takushan
army on the flank forced the abandon
ment and surrender, without a fight,
of Yinkow, Haicheng and Newchwang.
1t is generally believed that the crisis
will come shortly at Liaoyang, and
that Kuropatkin will be forced to give
battle whatever his present purpose
may be.
A Naval Engagement.
Toxic, Aug. 8.-Admiral Togo re-
ports an exciting torpedo boat destroy
er fight, which took place off Port Ar
thur on Friday evening, August 5. The
japanese torpedo boat destroyers AXE
bono and Obosa approached the en-
trance of the harbor for the purpose of
accommodating Fourteen Russian tor
pedo destroyers dashed out, separated,
and endeaVored to surround the Jap
anese boats. The latter broke through
the Gordon, however, driving off three
of the Russian boats. At this point
the japanese torpedo boat destroyer In
asuma joined the other two and the
three turned and spiritedly attacked
the II Russian boats. The latter re-
tired within the harbor. The Japanese
boats were uninjured The damage to
the Russian ships is unknown.
Buried Russian Dead.
Toxic, Aug. 8.-Gen. Kuroki reports
that he buried the bodies of 512 Rus
SLAMS on the battle fields of Yushulikzu
and YangtZuling In these actions he
reports the capture of 268 Russians,
eight of whom were officers. One hun
dred and fifteen of the prisoners were
wounded.
Woman Aged 134 Years Dies
Meadville, Pa, Aug. 8.-Mrs. Mary
Murphy, the oldest person in Craw-
ford county, if not in the state, died
here. She gave her age as nearly 134