Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-07-01
RUSSIANS ROUTED
IN A HOT BATTLE
CARS TROOPS DRIVEN FROM
FENSHUILING AFTER
SIX-HoUR FIGHT.
JAPANESE LOSE 100
MEN IN ENGAGEMENT
Another Russian Battleship Reported
Wrecked-Kuropatkin Decides to
Withdraw Northward-A Report
of Recent Fighting.

ly defeated five battalions Of Russian
infantry, which, supported by two regi-
ments of cavalry and is guns, oc-
cupied Fenshuiling, 81 miles northwest
of Siuyen. The Russians finally fell
back in the direction Of Shimucheng.
The Japanese casualties aggregated
about 100 killed and wounded. Maj.
Oba was killed during the battle.
An unconirmed report has been re-
reived from the Island Of Mokkaido
that ships resembling the Russian
Vladivostok squadron had appeared off
there on Jua1ee q. Similar reports have
been received from other places along
the northern coast of Japan The
navy Office does not give any credence
to these reports.
Russian Battleship Stranded.
London, June pa dispatch to the
Central News from Toxic says it is
reported that another Russian battle
ship has been discovered stranded OF |
Tiger Rock. 1t is presumed she was |
wrecked while returning to Port Ar |
thur after the recent naval engage
ment.
Kuropatkin Decides to Retreat.
st. Petersburg, June 29.-It is report |
ed on good authority that Gen. Kuropat- |
kin has decided to withdraw northward. |
Ships Again Leave Harbor.
Seoul, June 29.-It is rumored here
that the Russian vladivostok squadron
has again left that port
Death Of Two Correspondents.
Tientsin, June 29.-It is reported
that Edward F. Knight, the correspon-
dent of the London Morning Post with
the Japanese army, was killed at
Wafangtien.
Newchwang, June 29.-H. J. Middle
ton, the press correspondent with the
Russian headquarters near Liaoyang,
in Manchuria, died Sunday from en-
teric dysentery.
{, Report from Kuropatkin.
"a St. Petersburg, June 20.-The en-
peror has received the following dis
patch from Gen. Kuropatkin dated
Liaoyang, June q:
"The Japanese attacked our forces
occupying Molten, Fenshui and Ia
passes June e. Our infantry and cav
airy retreated, persuaded that the adj
Nancing divisions of the Japanese
army which were operating against
each of the three passes were stronger
than our detachments. In the attack
on Tapass the Japanese guards, be-
sides other regiments, participated.
The Japanese made frontal and flank
attack in considerable force on both
: sides Of this position. The japanese
troops occupied Fenshui and Molten
passes during the morning Of June 81.
Our forces, which retreated from Fen
shut pass, were attacked by small de-
tachments of Japanese. They were,
however, easily repulsed.
Russians Retreat.
ss' "After pushing back our advance
guard during the evening of June z6
from Vandiapudze ION the Siuyenhai-
cheng road), to Tapass the Japanese
continued their advance this morning
against our position in defile. For
some time the attack of the Japanese
infantry brigade was repealed. Three
battalions were engaged in the frontal
attack. But being menaced by other
troops engaged in fanking move
ment our forces retreated. Reconnoiter-
ing parties report that one portion Of
the southern Japanese army is nov
Ing northeastward with the intention
of joining Gen. Kuroki's force At
noon to-day our cavalry was holly en-
gagged near Seuyuchen. All the reports
of the last few days state that the
forces of Japanese arrayed against our
Manchurian army consist Of eight or
nine infantry divisions and several
brigades of reserves, which also occu-
py positions in the fighting line"
Molten pass and Fenshui pass are
about due east Of Liaoyang.
Tapass is midway between and north
of Molten and Fenshui passes and Is
between Liaoyang and Mukden, and
about rs miles from the railroad con-
meeting Liaoyang and Mukden. 1t will
thus be seen that the Japanese forces,
which have occupied the passes men
TONED, are turning the left flank Of the
Russian position at Liaoyang and are
threatening the railroad connecting
Liaoyang and Mukden.
Battle Now Assured
The telegram from Gen. Kuropatkin,
as published in special edition of the
Official Messenger, informed the st.
Petersburgers that Gen. Kuroki's army
had crossed the three passes of the
Fenshui mountains and was advancing
in strong columns from Siuyen on Hal
cheng and from Fengwangcheng on
Iiaoyang, while portions of Gen. Oku's
army were moving northeastward
along mountain paths to strengthen
the attack on Haicheng. The same
telegram reported a cavalry engage
ment at Senuchen, indicating that the
Japanese retreat southwark was only
feint, as forecasted in these dis
patches Gen. Oku has again assumed
the offensive and is supporting Gen
Kuroki. The Russian resistance is
centered in the region east of Tatche.
kiao. The Japanese have failed te
make an advance in this direction
which is regarded as denoting the
presence Of large Russian force a,
.Tatchekiao The unanimous opinion
of the general staff is that a pitched
battle is now assured. 1t is doubtful
whether Kuropatkin will accept fght
south of Haicheng. He is more likely
to try conclusions along line parable
with the railroad between Haichene
and Liaoyang. Probably several day!
will be required to maneuver the large
forces engaged into their new fighting
positions.