The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-07-27
JAPANESE GAIN FOOTING ON
NORTHWEST COAST.

JAPANESE GAIN FOOTING ON
NORTHWEST COAST.
St. Petersburg. July 25. 4 80 a. m.
The reported appearance of japanese
cruisers and transports off Yin Kow.
coupled with foreign telegrams OF
heavy fighting in that region bear out
the intimation coveyeed it the NUTS
lated dispatch from Ia Tche Kiao to
the Associated Press that serious move
ments have been undertaken by the Jap
anese to gain this coveted base on the
rothwest cosat. It shuld be pointed out
that here is an apparent conflict be-
tween the dispatch form Ia Tche Kiao
and ths.t received firm Liao Yanfg un-
der date of July 2, saying that all was
quiet mt Yin Kown on:that date, but
it is possible that owing to the pres
sure on the telegraph at the front
there may have been confusion of
dates.
Should it develop that the japanese
are making. "a determined attack on
Yin Knw it would throw fresh light
on the heavy land movements Of the
Japanese of the northwest within the
past few days. The menscing atti
tude of the japanese on Lieut.. Gen.
Count Kellers' front may possibly have
drawn north considera BILE Russian
fcrce. Certainly it has distracted
public attention for the time being
from Yin Kow, but whether it has
affected Gen. Kuropatkiin's estimate
of the situation may be proved by the
nature of the defense that will be made
at Yin Kow.
Itseems to be fairly certain that sharp
fighting is now going on in that region.
though Lieut.. Gen. Sakharoff's report
received late last night throws little
light en- the actual situation. This re-
port states that the japanese COM
mence;l to push forward from Kai
Chou On the morning of July % aSd
forced the retirement of the Russian
rear guard to Ia Tcbe Kiao while
simultaneous japanese advance began
from thee valley Of Sachi on the east,
apparently alsol directed against Yin
Kow Ky way of Ia Tche Kiao.
Tier Tsin, July 25.-The great bat
tie between the japanese and Russians
which began yeserday is still raging
in the vicinity Of New Chwang. The
Japanese have the advantage of num-
bers and ale pressing the Russians
with great energy an persistence. The
Russians are preparing to evacuate
the city and are burning all buildings
an storesthat would be of use to the
enemy.
London, July 2s-Cabling under
date of July 24, The Daily Mails New
Chwang correspondent describes a IA
hours desperate battle with heavy
losses on both sides and which result
ed in the Russian position at Ia Tche
Kiao being rendered untenable by rea-
son of which they will be compelled to
retreat towards Hal Cheng." The bat
tie began at 6 o'clock in the morning."
the correspondent says. "the Russia
resulning attack on the japanese posi-
tion on the heights east Of Ia Tche
Kiao. After few hours the japanese
left flank from TAPPING muntan captur-
ed the village Of Tanghudituen, COM
pelling the Russians to retreat to
Tanghudituen six miles from their
base.
"7,he Russians, now REINFORCED,
maintained the position until 5 O'Clock
in the afternoon when the Japanese
righl; flank made sudden appearance
on the hills south of Ia Tche Kiao
and by tremendous fire forced the
Russians to retreat.
"I'he japanese firing line extended
Is miles.
"After two more hours Of an inces-
san storm of shot and she'll they swept
the last hill aud the plain clear Of
Russians. -