Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-10-14
BIG ENGAGEMENT
is IN PROGRESS
RUSSIANS CROSS HUN RIVER
AND ATTACK FORCES OF
GEN. KURoKI.
BOTH SIDES LOSE
HEAVILY IN FIGHTING

HEAVlIf i'm TIOT1 1NN
Report from Toxic Says Advance Of
Gen. Kuropatkin Has Been Checked
st. Petersburg Officials Reticent
Regarding Forward Movement.
Tskie, Oct u. - It is reported that
the Russians have crossed the Hun river
in heavy force and are aggressively at
AAkinS the Japanese forces, which were
moving northward. A general engage
meAt 10 said to be in progress.
Il = reported that the Russians, as
suaing the offensive, crossed the Hun
sapturing position which the Japan
csc. being strongly reinforced, recap
tursd and reoccupied The Japanese, it
Is reported, have checked the Russian
advance. It is said that the losses on
both sides were heavy. No official con-
frmaaion of these reports can be OBJ
tainAd.
Japs Within Gunshot.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 12.-Gen. Kuro-
patkin has telegraphed to the emperor
that the Russian vanguard is now in
contact with the Japanese, who are
within gunshot. The scouts are skir-
mishing along the entire line.
A portion of Gen. Kuropatkin's dis
patch dated Monday night, given to the
public showed that his army was stead
lily pushing forward and that the Jap
anese were gradually withdrawing their
outposts, which were only a cannon
shot distant. There have been almost
constant artillery skirmishes, which at
any moment may develop into battle.
There is no confirmation of the Japan
ese evacuation of the Yentai mines, but
the report is credited at the war Office.
Field Marshal Oyama's front has been
rapidly narrowing during the last few
days, under the pressure of the Russian
advance, and now does not exceed 20
miles, extending from the Yentai mines
westward beyond the railroad. When
The Japanese concentration is effected
a counter-attack is likely to be the sig
nal for series of battles. If the Rus
slams are victorious the ultimate issue is
expected to be decided within the noun
famous triangle formed by the Yentai
mines, I4iaoyang and Sykwantun, which
constitute the Japanese fortified posi-
lions.
officials Are Reticent.
A period of anxiety is ahead The
Russian public have been warned that
now the tables are turned and the Rus
sian army is advancing they cannot ex-
pect news which might reveal Gen.
Kuropatkin's plans to the Japanese and
the people will have to be content with
meager information concerning what
has actually been accomplished until the
impending battle is in full swing. The
same reticence characterized the Jap
anese offensive apd the latter, being
now on the defensive. will probably fur
nish the world with more information
OF the Russian movements than can be
expected from the Russian side.
An officer Of the general staff, speak
ing of the necessity for secrecy while
on the offensive recalled how private
letter falling into the hands of Napoleon
after the battle of Borodino betrayed the
whole plan for Barclay de Tolly's cffen-
sive movements and almost led to disas-
ter.
With the curtain down on the war
stage many wild r11mors may be ex-
pected. While the general staff init
mates that Kuropatkin is advancing
cautiously and intrenching as he goes,
most of the military critics hold the
opinion that his greatest chance of sue
cess is quick smash at the Japanese
positions north of the Taitse river,
which would drive the Japanese in con-
fusion back upon the river before they
had chance to prepare for their with
drawal.
Battle May Be On.
As Kuropatkin's order of the day was
not given out until seven days after the
advance began it would not be surpris-
ing if heavy fighting was already in
progress Indeed, the latest newspaper
dispatches say that an artillery duel
lasted throughout Sunday on the center
and right flank and that the Japanese
are everywhere retiring before the Rus
sian advance
The statement that Kuropatkin is
moving on each side of the railroad in
order to have an easy line of communica-
lions would indicate his intention to
make frontal attack, with possible
turning movement from the west. where
the ground is open but there the river
bars the way and no decisive victory is
seemingly possible unless he can reach
the Japanese line of communications be-
low Liaoyang.
Details Of Recent Disaster.
Toxic, Oct 12.-The loss Of the ar
mored gunboat Hei Yen was announced
Tuesday and permission was granted by
the authorities to publish the details of
the disaster. The Hei Yen struck mine
off Pigeon bay on the night of Septem-
Der 18 and foundered Nearly 300 per-
sons, her entire complement, were
drowned. Two petty officers and two
sailors managed to reach Chiaopai is
land, from which they were rescued.
The Hei Yen, which was engaged on !
guard duty off Pigeon bay. was missed
by the fleet and search for the ves- |
sci was Immediately begun. The pet
ty officers and sailors found on Chiaopai |
island reported that at dusk on Septem-
Der is stern came up accompanied |
by high seas The Hei Yen endeavore.l
to return TO her base when she suddenly
struck floating mine. which exploded