Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-28
Russian Forces Unable to Stop
Japs' Forward March.
BATTLE NOW ASSURED
JAPANESE FASTENING CONJUNC-
TON OF THEIR ARMIES.
Kuropatkin Sends Gar Telegram De.
failing New Fighting Positions of
Jap Forces-Skirmishes.

ST. PETERSBURG. June 2s.-The en-
peror has received the following dispa tch
from Gen. Kuropatkn, dated Liao-Yang.
June p:
THE japanese attacked our forces oc-
cupying Molten. Fen-Shui and Ia passes
June 20. Our infantry and cavalry re-
treated persuaded that the advancing d.
visions of the japanese army which were
operating against each of the three passes
were stronger than our detachments.
I'm the attack on TIA Pass the Japanese
guards, besides other regiments, participant
ed. The Japanese made a frontal and
flank attack In considerable force on both
sides of this position The japanese troops
occupied Fen-Shui and Molten passes
during the morning of June 81.
Our forces which retreated from Fen
Shut Pass were attacked by small detach
ments of Japanese. They were, however,
easily repuised.
Russians Retreated.
After pushing back our advance guard
during the evening of June 26 from Van
diapudze Ton the SuYen-Hai-Cheng road
TO Ia Pass the Japanese continued their
advance this morning against our position
in defle. For some time the attack of
the japanese infantry brigade was re-
peBtu. HIet DdltdIlOnS were engaged III
the frontal attack. But being menaced by
other troops engaged in a thanking move
ment our forces retreated
Accommodating parties report that one
portion of the southern Japanese army is
moving northeastward with the intention
of Joining Gen. kuroki's force.
AT noon today our cavalry was hotly
engaged near Seu-Yu-Chen.
'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
brfgades of reserves, which also occupy
positions in the fighting line
Location of Passes.
Molten Pass and FenShui Pass are
about due east of Liao-Yang.
Ia Pass IS midway between and north
Of Molten and Fen-Shui passes and is
between Lao Yang and Mukden and about
seventy-five miles from the railroad con-
Meeting Liao-Yang and Mukden. 1t will
thus be seen that the japanese forces
which have occupied the passes mentioned
are turning the left flank of the Russian
position at LlaO-Yang and are threatening
the railroad connectiong Liao-Yang and
Mukden.
Situation of Armies Defined.
The telegram from Gen. Kuropatkin, as
published in Il special edition of the Official
Messenger Informed the Petersburghers
that Gen. Kurokis army had crossed the
three passes Of the Fen-Shui mountains and
was advancing in strong columns from Siu-
Yen (Nodzu's army, separate though sub
ordinate to Kuroki) on Halt Cheng and
from Feng-W -Cheng on LiaoYang,
while portions of Gen. Okus army were
moving northeastward along mountain
paths to strengthen the attack Hal
Cheng.
Jap Retreat Only a Feint.
The same telegram reported cavalry
engagement at Senu-Chen, indicating that
the japanese retreat southwark was only
q feint, as forecasted in these dispatches.
Gen. Oku has again assumed the often
sive, and is supporting Gen. Kurok. The
Russian resistance is centered In the region
east of Ta-Tche-kiao. The Japanese have