The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-11-18
yAP6 EXTEND THEIR BLOCKADE
TO KEEP SUPPLIES OUT OF
PORT ARTHUR.
RUSSIANS BADLY REFUSED
KEPT BUSY FOR HOURS GATHER
ING Up THEIR DEAD AND
WOUNDED.

Dispatches from both Mukden II
st. Petersburg express the belief
that the second great battle along the
Shake river will begin this week.
The japanese armies under the
command OF Field Marshal Oyama are
showing unusual act yity. Large
bodies OF troops are moving as though
preparing for a general attack apo
the Russians, and it is believed that
the battle is likely to begin at any
time.
Beyond the statement OF the Rus
sian correspondent OF the Associated
Press at Mukden, there is nothing to
confirm the report that Gen. Kuroki
has died of wounds received in battle.
The Japanese have extended their
blockade of Port Arthur karDor over
a distance of thirty miles.
Frequent Fights Occur.
Gen. kuroki's Headquarters, Nov. Is
way Of Mukden, Nov. Is. - Frequent
fights between the opposing patrols
occurred yesterday. The Russians,
with heavy Howitzer and siX-inch gun
batteries shell the Japanese trenches
and give the working parties little
respite. Large numbc of Russian
officials are arriving " front to re-
place those who have -U..en. The
Russian army is realizing more fully
day by day the enormous task in
volved in driving back the Japanese.
Great hopes, however, are placed on
Tho Dpco;nr cnonpI DaoiH, Gn,a5r0n
Russians Severely RepuIsed.
Gen. Kuroki's Headquarters. Nov. 16
"A squadron of Russian cavalry yes
terday afternoon attacked the Japan
csc in the neighborhood of Litiatun.
The Russians were SO severely re-
pulsed that at dusk they were still
gathering up their dead and wounded.
There has not been IN other change
at the front.
Decisive Battle Improbable.
Berlin, Nov. 16.-Cool. Gaedka, the
Tageblatt's military correspondent in
the Far East, in a dispatch from Muk-
den. Nov. IA, says:
1.-The situation is unchanged. A de-
cisive battle is improbable before
spring. The Japanese will not attack
until several weeks after the fall of
Port Arthur and the Russians are
awaiting such an overwhelming SD
periority in numbers as to leave the
question of victory beyond doubt. The
Russians are constantly receiving re-
inforcenents."
Japs Make Gains
Headquarters Third Japanese Army
in the Field Before Port Arthur, Nov.
4, via Fusan, Nov. 15.-By a general
attack upon the eastern fortified ridge
on Oct. 80 the Japanese gained the
meats OF the principal forts assailed.
These were wider, deeper and strong
er than had been supposed, and were
defended by c%aponieres or galleries
running north of the keekway forts.
The galleries were captured after
desperate fighting underground. The
Russians still hold parts of the meats,
but the Japanese are engaged in sap
ping to dislodge them, after which the
capture of the forts should be easy.
The casualties on the Japanese side
in this engagement were 1000.
Fight to otter End.
Washington, Nov. 16.-"Russia will
pursue the war in the Far East to the
bitter end, hat is until Russia has
conquered
These are the opening words of an
emphatic statement made at the Rus
sian embassy yesterday by Count Cas-
SIM, the Russian ambassador.
Several times recently the ambassa-
dor, in the name of his government,
has ca*egOrically denio' the possibility
of any Intervention in the war. but the
recurrence of rumors that the powers
contemplated mediation has caused
the ambassador to relterate on behalf
of his government its position regard
ing Intervention or mediation of any
kind.
Ties Prop Port Arthur.
Chicago, Nov. 16. - Stanley Wash
burn cables the Daily News as fol-
lows:
Gen. MIS- Headquarters, Outside
of Port hur, Nov. 5, via Fusan,
Nov. IA, delayed in transmission. -
Many Rsssian deserters from the fort
have arrived at the Japanese lines
within Ne last few days. One of these
fugitives told me to-day that the late
Admiral Nakaroff planned the defense
of Port Arthur and that Gen. Stoessel
was incompetent. Food is scarce in
the 'city. Torse meat is not to be had
at any price. Chickens cost four
rubles-$2.O6 apiece.
Gen. Stoessel, according to the de-
serterA posted a notice three weeks
ago informing the garrison that Gen.
Kuropatkin had broken through the
Japanese center. was on his way to