The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1904-07-23
FIRST DRIVEN eAck BY SUDDEN
ATTACK, THEY LATER RE-
TAKE POSITIONS.
CRISIS IS NEAR AT PORT ARTHUR
JAPS WILL TAKE FORTRESS az
STORM AFTER 1T IS THOR
oUGHLY INVESTED.

With Kuroki's Army, Manchuria,
July 2O.-A Russian force apparently
about 10000 strong attacked the front,
left and right of the Japanese posi-
tions on the western slope of Molten
pass at 2 O'Clock yesterday morning
under cover OF a fog. The sudden on
slaught drove in the Japanese out
posts, but as soon as reinforcements
arrived the Japanese calamity ad-
vanced to the attack, and after severe
fighting they drove the Russians of
and retook the lost positions. The
Russians retired, their retreat being
we'll covered. The fighting lasted un-
til three O'Clock In the afternoon.
Russian Loss Over Thousand.
st. Petersburg, July 20>-Gen. Kuro-
patkin reports that Lieut.. Gen. Count
Keller lost over 1000 in killed or
wounded in the attack ON Molten pass
July ~.
Members of the general staff here
regard Kuropatktns attack. on the
japanese at Molten pass as conclusive
that Russian flank and rear
aFe not at the mercy of Kuroki. 1t is
also thought to show that Kuropatkin
has so disposed his latest reinforce.
.rlents as to
Check Kuroki's Troops
the extreme. north and give the
Russians a certain power of initiative
along its southeast iand south front.
Impulsive observers are stirred by
this evidence of Russia's mettle and
declare that Kuropatkin's army is now
large enough to bring the whole fabric
of Japanese plans to the ground
Calmer critics Genuine their optimism
to the assumption that the cars com
mander-in-chief is holding his own
with great skill, while taking effective
precautions against a Manchuria1
Sedan"
Nold by kuroki.
Toxic, July .2O.-Gen. Kuroki reports
that two divisions of the rwssian
army made a desperate sss..n!t on
Molten pass at dawn on July u, but
were repulsed. Casualties were not
stated. At. 3 O'clock Sunday morning,
a heavy fog yelling their movements,
two divisions of Russians. command
ed by Lieut.. Gen. Keller. made an as
sault on the Japanese positions at Mo-
tien pass.
Gen. KurBki adds that the Russians
assailed all Hhe Japanese positions at
Molten pass and in it's vicinity desper-
ately. The Japanese resisted stub
bornly, repussed the Russians and pur-
sued them fOr q considerable distance
westward.
Jap Loss Trifiing.
London, Jnly 20. = The correspond
ent of the Times at Gen. Kuroki's
headquarters says that the Japanese
losses during the fighting at Molten
pass on July AZ we're trifling.
The battle 9eaves the general situa.
ton unchanged, but it shows That a
powerful Japanese army is massed
and is constantly threatening Lao
yang, apparently only awaiting Gen.
kuroki's signal to advance.
Crisis Near at Port Arthur.
Chicago, July 20. = Stanley Wash.
burn, a Chicago Daily News staff cor
cables his paper as fol-
lows from Chefu.
Admiral Togo's torpedo boats made
! reconnaissance at Port Arthur be-
tween 3 and 4 a. IN. Sunday. Occa-
firing was heard all day Sun
lay from the land side of the fortress;
out there was nothing to indicate a
attack. 1t seems likely that
lnless the Russian fleet
Attempts to Escape
here will be no further naval attack
n Port Arthur OH account of unavoid-
Ible danger from mines and the COM
,arative ineffectiyeness of shell fire
rom sea.
Japan is relying on taking the fort
ess by storm after 1t has been thor
ughly invested. The presence among
he Miaotao islands Of many Japanese
GAL s%chooners AM semi-oflcial dis
latch boats strengthens the belief
hat the end is expected soon. With
he exception Of a single picket boat
he Fawan saw nothing of the Japan.
Be fleet during the last few days.
British Fleet Will Take a Hand.
London, July 2O.-The London Mx-
ress correspondent at Malta tele-
raphs under Mondays date that the
Mediterranean fleet under Admiral
ir Compton Domville left there yes.
erday for Alexandria. The admiral
as been in communication with the
of the East Indian squad
IN on the subject. it Is believed, Of
the Mediterranean in Red
sas and OF conveying British ships 80
] to prevent Interference by the Rus
warships.
British Ship Held Up.
Alden. Arabs, July 2O.-The British
Gamer Persia was forcibly detained
4 n hour IN the Red sea by -
f&S@N