The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-19
FIGHT AT MO TEN.
General Kuropatkin's Official Report
to the Emperor.

st. Petersburg, July 19.-The follow
ing dispatch from Gen. Kuropatkin to
the emperor dated July II ION our
eastern 'front.' was given out last
night:
After the occupation by Gen. Kuro-
ki's army of the passes in the Fanshui
mountain chain our information con-
corning his forces and disposition was in
general inadequate. According to some
reports his army had been reinforced
and he had even extended his forces
toward Saimatsza.
Other reports said that a displace-
ment of his troops had been made in
There were even indications that Kuro-
XII had transferred his headquarters
from Ts<hahekan to Touinpu.
'On the strength of the information
received and on the basis of reconnais-
sance which had been made the hypo-
thesis was formed that the principal
forces of the enemy were concentrated
around Liam Shang Kwang and that
strengthened in the passes of Siao Kao,
Wanfankwan, Sin Kia, Lakho and Pa
pau as well as at Sybey Pass two and
a half miles north of the road and half
the height of Siaokao pass.
"On July II, in order to determine the
strength of the enemy it was decided to
advance against his position at Lain
shankwan- Lieutenant General Count
with the object of capturing the pass.
but to act according to the strength of
the force they would find
THE left column of the expeditionary
force, consisting of three battalionS.
was dispatched toward Sybey pass. The
entire column commanded by Major
General Kashtalinski consisting of IA
battalions with II guns was destined to
attack Siao Kao pass, the heights sur
mounted by the temple and Wafank-
wan pass. The right column, eight bat
talionS strong, was occupying points
where the road leading to Sin Kiao and
Lakho passes cross in order to cover
the left flank of General KaShtalinS
kyS column. The general reserve was
left at Ikhavuen and a portion of the
force occupied position at that place.
AT 10 p. m, July 16, the head of the
column advanced from Ikhavuen. At
IL o'clock a battalion of the Second
regiment engaged a Japanese outpost
at the point of the bayonet at the cross
ing of Lakho and the Sinkia roads.
The details of this engagement have
not been verified but its general course
according to Geographic reports sent in
py Gen. Keller was as follows:
During the night the Japanese had
evacuated Siaokao pass and the
heights surmounted by the temple,
leaving only outposts there. AT dawn
General Kash Talinsky's column oc-
cupied these passes, driving back the
Japanese advance posts.
AT about $50 on the morning of
July II the japanese in considerable
strength and with numerous guns oc-
cupied Wafankwan pass and the
mountainous bluffs to the south on the
flank of General Kash Talinsky's col
umn. From this position and from
the crest of the mountains to the east
of the heights surmounted by the tenn
pie the enemy directed a very heavy
rifle and artilIer-y fire
General Kash Talinsky advanced
to occupy the bluffs, sending forward
i hot foIs
but the attemnt failed notwithstand-
ing the support given by the horse
mountain battery as our field guns
could not be brought into action on