The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-02
.SIMOUCHEhCLOST
Russian Forces Yield Another
Important Position.
Stakelberg Compelled to Retire
on Hal Cheng.
FIGHTING WAS FIERCE.
Russian Batteries Fire 4,S42
Shots in 4 Hours.
FIGHTING WAS FIERCE.
Decisive Movement Of Campaign
Believed to Be On.
THREE DAYS BATTLE.
Results i'm Capture of ImpOr-
tant Port Arthur Defense.

Toxic, Aug. 2-Noon.-After two days
fighting General Koroki has defeated
the Russian forces in two separate ac-
tions fought at Yushulikzu and the
Yang Sc pass
The Yang Ze pass or Yange Sc pass
is situated 80 miles east of Lao Yang.
The Russian army engaged there is
generally known as the eastern army
and was commanded by the late Lieut..
General Keller, who was killed by the
explosion of a shell.
Gloom at ST. Petersburg.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 2.-1:52 p m
The feeling at the war Office here
was distinctly gloomy this morning.
No official kilograms had been re-
ceived by the general staff from Cen
eral Kuropatkin, who was communi-
eating direct with the emperor, but
from private sources at the front it
already was apparent that Simou-
cheng. 8 miles south-southeaSt of Hal
Cheng, at the junction of the Feng
Wang Cheng-Siuyen roads, had been
lost, General Stakelberg's outposts
having fallen back to Haf Cheng.
No word was received enabling the
staff to either confirm or deny the re-
ported capture of the late General
Count Keller's position at Ikhavuen,
east of Lao Yang, and Yang Ze pass,
heavy fighting continues on both the
southern and eastern fronts, the object
of the Japanese in the east being to
flank General Keller'S corps from the
south and north, which is easily pos
sible. The progress of the enveloping
movement may have forced the corps
to retire to LiandianSian, which is the
next position in the direction of Lao
Yang. Official dispatches detailing the
engagement are hardly expected till
evening. The failure of the garrison
northern road probably was due to the
presence of the Japanese column
thanking the late General Keller'S corps
from the south.
In view of the inability of the Rus
slams to hold Simoucheng it is consid-
cred unlikely that Generals Zaroubaieff
and Stakelberg will attempt to offer
stubborn resistance at Hal Cheng. 1t is
possible that they are already retiring
on An Shan Shan, also written An
Schantschan, half way between Hal
Cheng and Lao Yang, as indicated in
these dispatches last night There is
Oku's divisions are advancing from
New Chwang on Hal Cheng with the
view of flanlxing and cutting off Gen.
Stakelberg'S retreat, but this movement
is not likely to succeed on account of
Stakelberg's ability to retire north
ward.
ferceness of the artillery duel south of
Hal Cheng July 81, is the fact that the
Russian batteries on the left flank fired
1912 shots in four hours.
All the military critics this morning
take the view that the decisive move
ment of the campaign has arrived. The
army organ says that General kurOki
prepared for his advance by drawing
his forces, which We're scattered over Il
front of 40 miles. The paper says it is
evident that large japanese force is |
working along the SaimatsZa-Liao
Yang line. 1t expresses doubt, however,
iph adx M
home and whether it is Kuroki's inten- |
ton to try to flank Kuropatkin north
or south of Lao Yang.
The Russ says:
'aThe decisive moment has arrived,
but judging from the latest reports, the
Russians have retained their positions
and this time it will not be an order
to retreat
Russians Have Fallen Back.
st. Petersburg. Aug. 2-6:20 P. Mt
is officially announced that the Rus
slams have fallen back from Yang Ze
pass, but were holding their positions
on the SaimatSza road and at Hal
Cheng yesterday
Battle at Port Arthur.
Toxic, Aug. al p. NIT is report |
ed here that after three days of des- |
perate fighting the Japanese have cap
tured Shantaikow, one of the import
ant defenses of Port Arthur
VIadivostol Squadron Is Safe.
VIadivostok, Aug. 2.-The Vladivo- |
stOk cruiser division returned to port |
at 4 O'Clock yesterday afternoon. The |
cruisers were in perfect condition. |
They captured during their cruise the |
steamer Arabia and destroyed some |
a small Japanese steamer. |
one German steamer and one British /
steamer The last mentioned two were |
carrying contraband matter and had |
nearly reached their destination, Yoko-
hama, but were almost without coal |
and it was therefore impossible to send |
them to Vladivostok-
This is the first intimation that any
foreign steamer other than the Knight /
had been sunk. The cfui-
sers steamed up and down in front |
of the Japanese capital, but saw moth
ing of the enemy's warships. Although |
the Russian vessels had only three
doors in which to get home-the
straits of Korea, Lo Prenze strait and |
Tsugaru strait - which apparently
could easily have been barred by Vice
Admiral KamimuraS vessels, bad luck
pursued the japanese admiral and the
Russian cruisers had no difficulty in
eluding him.
St. Petersburg Learns Something.
St. Petersburg, Aug. 2.-The Asso-
ciat ted Press dispatch from Vladivostok
brought the first statement of the rea-
son for the sinking of the steamer
knight Commander, which was that
she was so short of coal she could not
be sent to Vladivostok. 1t also con-
tanned the first announcement that a