The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1904-07-21
KUROKI FALLS BACK
Floods Threaten to Cut Him Oh
From Base of Supplies.
HEAVY RAINS SWELL THE STREAMS

Japanese transports Eepcrted At
tackled by Russian Torpedo Boats.
Cholera Appears In Outpos's aud
Garrisons-R Russian Losses In Killed
and Wounded Up to Date.
st. Petersburg, July ga dispatch
from Lao Yang says: General KurolSi
has begun to retire, probably as re-
suit of the rains. which have flooded
all the rivers and threatened to cut
him off from his base of supplies.
Nearly all the customary fords are
now absolutely impossible.
A fight between Russian torpedo
boats and Japanese transports was re-
ported off Ia Tche Kiao The result
| Is unknown.
Major General Mistchenko is harass.
ing and driving back the Japanese be-
tween Stu Yen and Kai Chau, already
| inflicting loss of about 600 killed or
wounded. The Japanese are display
ing the greatest weakness at this
point owing to their distance from
supplies and the prevalence of dys-
entery. VI
The authorities are manifesting
much concern over the appearance Of
disease in the Japanese outposts and
| garrisons, and it is feared that the
Russians camping in the tracks of the
Japanese may become infected. 1t is
feared also that if cholera rs raging at
Feng Wang Cheng it will be almost
impossible to prevent 1t spreading to
Lao Yang
The rainy season is undoubtedly in
favor of the Russians, enabling them
to bring up further reinforcements,
but it is feared that it may also entail
great mortality.
The war Office believes that fur
ther advance on Tia Tche Kiao is i'm
possible in view of the powerful re-
sistance which can be made by the
Russians, combined with the great
difficulties of transportation over rain
sodden roads. Desultory fighting,
however, is likely to continue for the
possession of the passes, which are
particularly valuable to either bellig-
erelt for the purpose of obtaining in.
formation regarding the others move
ments.
The Russian losses in killed or
wounded SO far number 5000. Many
more have been in hospitals, but no
epidemics have yet been reported.
Military experts believe that the
center of gravity has again shifted to
Port Arthur, where siege operations
are expected to engage most of the at
tention of the Japanese until the con-
clusion of the rainy season permits
the resumption of the campaign in
southern Manchuria.
The latest dispatches from the seat
OF war are to the effect that General
Kuropatkin is still at Ia Tche Kaio,
and that the Japanese forces are sta
tionary at Senu Chen and along tho
roads from Stu Yen to Hal Cheng, Ta
Tche Kiao and Kai Chou, but are
maintaining their advance from Feng
Wang Cheng over the direct main
roads to Lao Yang, where the effect
of the rains is less appreciable. There
are only 12 miles between General
Count Keller's force and the Japanese
not regarded as unlikely.
Russians to Take the Offensive.
Lao Yang, July 5.-The Japanese
are evidently nonplussed at General
Kuropatkin's tactics, as proved by
their alternate advance on Lao Yang
from Feng Wang Cheng and subse,
Quent retreat. The Japanese are suf.
fering greatly from lack of supplies,
the country being devastated Two di-
visions are reported to have fallen
back on Feng Wang Cheng. Japanese
activity in the south is also suspend
ed, General KuroM being threatened
by the Russian troops from the north.
An early cessation OF hostiities is ex-
pected and when they are resumed
the Russians say they will be able to
take the offensive. Troops are arriv-
ing here daily.