Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-03-04
ARMIES HAVEbEGUNF FIGHTING
BOTH JAPANESE AND RUSSIANS
CLAIM A VICTORY.
Russian Soldiers Disperse Korean Sol.
diers-Heavy Land Battle Expected
Forces IN Northern korea-Rairoad
Over Ice Lake Is Finished.

The following official dispatch has
been received at the japanese legation
at London
A number of the enemy's cavalry ap-
peared at a point 200 meters north OF
Pmgyang, Korea. Our infantry fired
upon them, causing them to retreat"
Russian Version.
A dispatch received at st. Peters
burg from Liaoyang, says that Chinese
on the lalu river report that an ad-
vance guard OF Russian cavalry, which
has penetrated Korea for distance OF
about 200 versts across the river, had
an encounter with detachment of
japanese, and that the japanese were
compelled to retreat and fed, leaving
their horses, which were seized by Cos
sacks.
General Linevitch dispatched cavalry
and body of infantry in pursuit and
with an order to occupy northern
Korea.
Details Of skirmish at Pingyang
show that SO Russian cavalrymen ap-
preached the north gate of the Jap
anese camp and fired at 1000 meters.
sharp fusilade took place and the
Russians retired. All foreigners are
safe.
The emperor has contributed 100000
yen and the crown prince $4,000 yen
to the Japanese relief fund.
Korean soldiers on the Ham Gyeng
frontier have been attacked and dis
persed by Russian troops.
The official announcement by Major
General Plug, chief of staff of Vice.
roy Alexieff, that Russian cavalry had
crossed the Yalu river, is expected to
be followed shortly by news of rather
heavy land fighting, as, according to
seemingly trustworthy reports, General
Lenvitch has sent whole army corps
of infantry to support the Cossacks,
who have penetrated to point below
Anju and who are reported to have
beaten the Japanese in several skir-
mishes. Nevertheless, if this move
ment in force is progressing, 1t must
not be assumed that the Russians have
taken the offensive, but rather that
they are taking up strong position In
northern Korea in order to check the
advance of the formidable army of
Japanese landing on both shores OF
Korea, while the concentration of Rus
sian troops behind the Yalu is being
completed. This concentration is max.
ing better progress than is generally
believed abroad.
The movement of troops eastward
over the transsberian railroad will be
greatly accelerated henceforth, as tele-
graphic reports say that the ice rail-
road over Lake Baikal is finished.
The Chinese war minister is hurry
ing large bodies of troops to the north
eastern frontier of Pechili.
The military situation will be greatly
complicated if General Ma is really
moving to the rear of the Russian po-
sition with the intention of making
common cause with the Japanese, as
it will expose both Russian fianks to
attack
The hopes and hearts of the Rus
SLAMS are centered in their army.
The war excitement here and
throughout Russia generally seems to
be dying down.
The movement Of troops on the
railroad has attained un-
proportions. Trains going
east are filed with troops. All trains
from Manchuria are crowded with wo-
men and children and the station here
is filled with refugees waiting an op-
portunity to return to Russia, many
Of them remaining two days before be-
ing able to continue their journey.
on Lake Bakal near the shore and
on Lake Baikal near the shore and
sank, but no loss of life has been
reported.