Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-11
Japanese Reported to
Have Given kurOpat-
kin a Check.
POSITION is RETAKEN
Russians Across the Hum
Mine Sinks MikadO's
Gunboat.

Mukdcn, Oct. IA desperate fight
is now in progress six miles north of
Yentai
Toxic, Oct. lit is reported the
Russians crossed the Hun river and
attacked Kuroki's forces, capturing a
position which Japanese, strongly re-
inforced, recaptured and reoccupied.
The Japanese it is reported checked
the Russian advance. 1t is said the
losses on both sides were heavy. Off
Cial confirmation of these reports is
unObtainable.
Engagement General
Toxic, Oct. lit is reported the
Russians have crossed the Hun river
in heavy force and are aggressively
attacking the Japanese forces which
were moving northward. A general
engagement is said to be in progress.
KuropntkIn Heard From.
St. Petersburg, Oct. 11.-Kuropat-
kin has telegraphed the emperor that
the Russian vanguard is now in con-
tact with the Japanese who are within
gunshot Scouts are skirmishing along
the entire line.
Japs Lose GunbOat.
Toxic, Oct. 1.-THE Japanese gun
boat Heyen struck a mine in Pigeon
bay west of Port Arthur Sept. Is and
sank. Nearly 800, her complete COM
plement of men, were drowned.
Action at Yentni.
St. Petersburg. Oct. lit is report
ed that a severe action has occurred
near Yentai. II miles north of Lao
yang. The result is not known.
Japs Give Way.
London, Oct 1.-THE Japanese ap-
parently are giving way at all points
before Kuropatkin's advance south
ward from Mukden Oyama has Civ
en- up nearly every strong position
he has held north and east of Lao
yang. almost without a struggle.
1t is believed, however. that Oyama
will not retreat farther than his strong
ly intrenched positions around Lao
yang.
Oyama Has 100000.
According to- the estimates of the
war Office at St. Petersburg Oyama's
total strength is about 100000 men, OF
which 10000 are posted between the
Hun river. to the west, and Bentsia-
putze eastward, the remainder being
held in reserve at Liaoyang. Kuropat-
kin has nine army corps, giving him
a slight superiority in numbers.
Think Battle Is Near.
St. Petersburg, Oct. 11.-A battle
upon which the fate of this years cam
paign in Manchuria depends seems
only a few days ahead. Advices from
the front are meager. All that is posi-
lively known officially is that Gen.
Kuropatkin has about faced his army
and is marching against the enemy.
According to unofficial reports Field
Marshal Oyama. at the first sign of
Gen. KurOpatlin taking the offensive.
began drawing in his line and concen-
trating upon fortified positions north
of Liaoyang. According to the latest
reports from Mukden. the Japanese out
posts are being driven in all along
the line.
kuropntkin'S Plans Secret.
MI surmises as TO where Gen. Kuro-
paJkin intends to strike are mere
Eucsswork. Is is not Clear whether
Gen. Kuropatkin contemplates a blow
on the left. center. or right of the
Japanese army, but the fact that stress
IS paid upon the capture of Bentsia-
putze. which opens the road and fords
To Bensihu. 20 miles east of Liaoyang.
where Gen. Kuroki crossed. and that
Cossacks are already reported in the
neiShborhood of the stream. might
foreshadOw an exact reversal Of the
battle of Liaoyang. this time the Rus
sian commander flanking and turning
Liaoyang with his left, as Field Mar
shall Oyama did with his right
Weakness Of Jap Lines.
Officers of the general staff. while
not Understanding the heavy task
and severe sacrifices that are involved
in assuming the offensive. neverthe
less express absolute confidence that
Gen. Kuropatkin has found a weak
point in the Japanese armor The
advance is attributed to realization
by Gen. kuropatkin of the difficulty
the Japanese have encountered in max
ing good their losses at Liaoyang and
replenishing their supplies and ammu
nition or possibly 10 the drawing of
of a portion of the Japanese troop
to reinforce Gen. Nogi in desperat