The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-16
THREE DAYS FIGHT.
Communication to St Petersburg
Leaves Result in Doubt.

st, Petersburg, June 1e.-1:s2 p M
The result of the battle at Vafangow,
north of Port Arthur, which has now
been in progress for three days, is
awaited here with breatnless interest
Excitement prevails in all circles. The
losses on the Russian side, more than
300 on Tuesday, shows that the fighting
has been of a. desperate character and
General Kuropatkin's report this morn
ing proves that both armies are deter
mined to force matters to decisive is
sue.
The public has been considera bly,
elated by the news of the success which
thus far has attended the expedition of
the Vladivostok squadron TO the
straits of Korea and should General
Stakelburg win a. victory over General
Nozu on land it would make the deep
est impression.
Already there is much talk of his sue
cesses, but the war office prudently ad-
vises caution against the acceptance OF
irresponsible reports in absence OF OIL
cial news from either side. Kuropat-
kin's dispatch given out this morning
brought the report up TO z;SO o elo oS.iS
yesterday afternoon but stopped at the
most critical point of the battle, when
Stakelburg was meeting an attempt to
turn his right wing by a similar move
around Nozu's left flank. StakelDerg
reserves had already been brought up
and the Japanese had been heavily rein
forced. This dispatch reached the en-
peror yesterday afternoon but through
DlunQGr IN ITaISLIleS4OL AALC " a. NCt--
mission did not receive it until this
morning There was no intention to
withhold its contents from the puohc-
Nothing further has reached the war
office up to this hour
Exactly what portion of Stakelburg' 8
cossaeks was engaged at VafangoW is
not ascertainable. 1t consists OF the
First, Second and Sixth East siberian
rifle divisions, the Usurie mounted
/ brigade and the First East Siberian
sapper battalion.
General Goingeross, who was
wounded, commands the First SlDe-
rian division of four regiments and
machine gun battalion. General
Samson commands the Usurie mount
ed brigade.
The operations leading up to the
/ battle of Vafangow date back to June
II, when two Japanese divisions, one
commanded by General Nozu, ad-
vanced from the Pulantien-Pitsew
/ line probably prompted by 1ntel1-
gence that the Russians were receiv-
| ing reinforcements. A sharp Skin
nn:sh took place the night of June u
at the village of Oudiaden, five miles
west o. the railroad and seven miles
! south of Wafang Tien, and another
| skirmish occurred on the heights near
/ the village of Lidiatun, ten miles east
Of Oudiaden. The Japanese were re-
/ pulsed, but the Russian advance posts
/ retired. On June 10 two japanese
| divisions were i've miles north of the
! scene of the slxirmish, their left wing
I
and their right on the valley of the
| Tassa, which flows parallel with the
railroad, falling into the sea ten
miles south of Pitsewo. After day 6
rest the enemy advanced fifteen miles
June "A and attacked the left of the
Russian position, four miles south OF
! Vafangow- The Russians had the
best of the first days fight, annihilat-
ing a japanese cavalry squadron and
taking some prisoners, although at
nightfaH both armies retained their
positions.
Yesterdays battle extended over a
rough country where artillery was very
| effective. The Russian lines extended
! between the villages of Ian Chou, neat
the railroad, and Fafanvopen. The Jap
| anese We're between Aafanchou and
Hun Chou. Stakelburg's reserves were
held at Sisan, a short distance from
| VafangoW station. The Japanese re.
serves were south of Tafanchow.
General Nozus artillery began the
day by Smelling the Russian right
while his sharp shooters were busy
with the other wing Stakelburg was
not certain from whence the main at
tack would be delivered and sent out
cavalry to the heights of Ian Chou tc
lreconnoiter. Having ascertained that
the enemy was not moving in thai
quarter he attacked the japanese cen
| against the railroad. The Japanese
countered by moving up reserves in ar
| effort to turn the Russian right. Hall
an hour later Stakelberg ordered his
reserves to move from Sisan to rope
the Japanese hanking tactics, in the
/ meanwhile continuing his attack OF
the enemy's left and center. This was
the situation when the last advices
| were received.