Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-08-03

single shell burst over a Russian gan,
killing two and wounding eleven gunners.
Desperate Hand to Hand Fight.
On Saturday night the Japanese made
desperate assault on Kangwa heights
with the bayonet and g hand-to-hand
fight ensued, but the japanese were
again repulsel, fleeing down the hill in
confusion.
The japanese are said to have en-
ployed their customary trick while ad-
vancing of shouting in Russian: Don't
fire; we are friends
Russians Hold Positions
The japanese renewed the attack at
daylight yesterday, training all their guns
on kangwa heights. By 6 O'Clock the
fight had developed along the whole front
Of fourteen miles and was especially hot
against Gen. MistchenkO. The Russian
artillery did magnifcently several times
forcing the japanese batteries to shift
their positions. The Russians are hold
ing all their positions at the hour when
this dispatch is sent from Hal Cheng.
Heat Is Unbearable.
The heat is almost unbearable and is
trying to the fighting men, but even
while marching under the blazing sun
and weighted down by accoutrements and,
ammunition, often without food or drink
all day, the men try to be cheerful and;
sing songs Wnlle grim Work is In prog
reSS.
Big Developments Expected.
London, Aug. Important news Of
development in the war situation are
looked for from two points, Port Arthur
and Haicheng. 1t is the belief here that;
the Hood Of rumorS from Port Arthur
have some foundation in fact. Admiral
Togo gives suggestion Of the closeness;
with which he is watching the naval side;
issue.
Reports of the land movements con-
tinue to come through roundabout chan
nels, but all are to the same effect.
that there is much heavy fighting in
progress.
Kuropatkin in Tight Place.
At Haicheng the army of Kuropatkin
is threatened by Japanese columns which
are constantly shifting and appearing in
new places unexpectedly. 1t is not be-
lieyed that the main forces have been
engaged since the Tatchekiao affair, but
there have been some serious engage
ments during the last few days.
Significant Hint from Togo.
4 dispatch from Toxic gives the first
news from Togo that has been received
for some time. 1t says:
Admiral Togo reports that at 3
O'Clock last Sunday morning the torpedo
boats of the fleet found several Russian
torpedo-boat destroyers hiding under the
shelter of Hsiensheng promontory, east
of Port Arthur. Three explosions were
heard following the attack by the tor
pedo boats, but there was a heavy fog
prevailing, and the results are not
known.
Press reports indicate that the state
ment of the sinking of Russian torpedo
boat DESTROYER is true.
Of ho tcLs
says an officer who has just returned
from that place states that July "A two
vessels Of 5000 tons each, having non
combatants on board, and a torpedo boat
destroyer issued from Port Arthur. The
japanese picket boats surrounded the
vessels and compelled their surrender
Attention is called to the fact that al
most every important move by the Japa-
nesG navy has been preceded by news
from Ioglo dealing with affairs little
aside from the main issue
Jap Lines Drawing Close.
On the heels of the Toxic dispatches
comes one by way of Chefoo which saws:
"A japanese merchant mas received
word from a Chinese whom he trusts
TO the effect that the Japanese have oc-
cupieG every position surrounding the
hesieged fortress of Port Arthur, with
the exception of Golden HILL The Chi
nese stated that both sides had suffered
tremendous losses
Fighting Near Hal Cheng.
Regarding the operations in Man
cliuria, the correspondent of the Daily
Mail at New Chwang, in a dispatch dat
ed July 81, says that there has been
heavy fighting fer two days in the
marshes south of Hal Cheng during the
Russians forming the rear guard. and
that the peril of this force increases
daily.
At the same time dispatch comes
from St Petersburg which says:
''It is reported here that for two days
there has been q renewal of heavy nwht-
ing at Hal Cheng."
Fear Enveloping Movements
That the Russian general staff consid-
ers the situation at Hal Cheng serious is
indicated in the statement from St. Pc
tersDurg which says:
1.-THE enyeloping movement of the three
Japanese armies of Gems. Kuroki. Nod
zu and Oku around Gen. Kuropatkin's
position appears to be almost complete
and the extended line Of the Japanese
seems to be the only drawback to concert
ed action. 1t is realized here that The
Russian general must now either fight or
withdraw the whole army northward. He
is being closely pressed at Hal Chene.
cat that place Gen. Kuroki's northern
column makes it extremely dangerous to
remain there because, while holding the
position to give battle against the Japa-
nese, whose advance is notoriously always
slow and careful, Gen. Kuroki might
push through and cut his railway com
munications to Lao Yang
while nothing is definitely known,
there are some unofficial indications that
matters are rapidly maturing for either
q battle or a retreat.
"A few days are expected to determine
which course Gen. kuropatkin has elect
cd to pursue
Compliment for Japanese.
From the Russian camp at Lao Yang
comes a remarkable tribute to the Jap
anese. Touching the occupation OF New
Chwang, the dispatch says:
"On entering New Chwang the Jap
anese captured a few Russians. They
gave each of them three roubles, then re-
leased them and told them to tell the
Russians that the Japanese never Kill
their prisoners
The correspondent adds: All is quiet
on both the south and east fronts, and
nothing important is anticipated short Of