Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-04-07
10 FORCE ISSUE AT That POINT
JAPANESE FORCES CONTINUE
THEIR ADVANCE AND OCCUPY
YoNGHAMPo.
SERIOUS OPERATIONS ARE NEAR
NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS,
GRANTED PERMISSION TO
GO TO FRONT.

Chinnampho. April 3. Couriers
from the front just. arrived at the ad.
vanced general headquarters OF the
Japanese army at Pingyang bring in
formation that the Russians, who
have been in full retreat northward,
are concentrating on the Yalu to the
north Of Viii and that present indi-
cations point to determined stand
there.
It is believed that the Russians
will force the issue at that point.
They are intrenching and 1t will take
an enormous japanese force to effect
a crossing of the Yalu river. The re-.
ports from the front tell of the fear
tul condition of the
Retreating Russian Troops.
The artillery abandoned many guns
and the line northward is plainly
marked by hundreds of horses which
died from starvation and exposure.
The Russians are cutting down tele-s
graph poles to use as fuel
i The Japanese troops, after dislodg.
Ing the Russians at Chongju (about
fifty miles northwest of Pingyang) on
March IS. rested for one day and
then advanced to Yong Chun (about
forty.iiye miles west OF Chongju).
After brief engagement here they
drove. the enemy further north, the
Russians retreating toward Unsan, a
town eighty miles northeast of Yong
Chun.
Japanese Advancing.
Chefu, April 3.-Japanese outposts
appeared on the hills south of Yong.
hampo on Wednesday evening. retir-
Ing before dark on Yon Chun, fifteen
miles from the mouth of the Yalu
river. On Wednesday afternoon six
sqnadrons OF Japanese cavalry occu-
pied the hills eas..sof Yong Chun and
their patrols We're Immediately sent
forward to reconnoiter. Friendly
Koreans from Yanghampo went south
to meet them, and while there has
been no news since the steamer de-
parted on, Wednesday. the japanese.
forces probably occupied Yonghampo
on Thursday.
The main infantry division of the
Japanese army. is, at Sakian and is
fortifying the river there. Its next
move will probably be on Sun Chun.
The artillery forces were at Vixen
fifteen miles northeast OF Chongju, on
Tuesday afternoon. large body OF
cavalry was at Kusong. SO reports in
y onghampo indicated; and thus. the
entire valley of the southern Yalu on
the Korean side is now wholly in the
hands of Gen. lnouye's army.
Serious Operations Near.
sS London, April 81 Some surprise is
expressed here over the rapid de-
yelopment of the japanese advance
In Korea as Indicated by the seizure.
OF Yong Chun, and, although little is
known Of this movement. it is sup
posed the right flank Of the japanese.
army Is making a simultaneous adj
vance and permission being granted
to the newspaper correspondents al
Toxic to start for the front is regard
ed as foreshadowing serious opera
lions.
The Daily Teles raph' s. Wei aiiWei.
correspond reports that the Japan,
ese steamer Hanion Maru previously
reported captured and sunk by the
Russians) was sunk by a Russian tor
pedo Boat and that twenty-five persons
on board Of her were lost.
China TO Join With Japan.
Shanghai, April 8. China will Join
forces with Japan The question is.
how soon? The attitude Of neutrality
hiss been impossible from the begin
ming. and daily 1t is growing more
din1cult to maintain IL was, taken on
the advice Of Japan.
The popular feeling il not only pro.
Japanese. but strongly anti Russian.
The younger generation of patriots. .
whose heaven is spreading astonish.
ingly throughout the empire, are ev-
erywhere contrasting the promptitude
with which Japan executed her con-
TRACTS after the Chino apaIlese war
md She evasions bys Rassia of sh1ef SOL
amn professions hi regardstp Man
'chnria The Chinese. ins tsct, are pre-
II rust ~ i apansss Is
announced Intent ion "a aintaiA
'ISshina n inteS 1led banssl
atts Manchurta are already q seri.
IIsstll NlenAce 10 Russian cou,nannica-