The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-07-01
BIG BATTLE
IS Imminent
DECISIVE FIGHT OF THE CAM.
PAiGN EXPECTED AT ANY
MOMENT.
THREE ARMIES ARE IN TOUCH
THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN
READY TO ENGAGE IN THE
BLOODY CONFLICT.
THREE ARMIES ARE IN TOUCH

st. Petersburg, June ga dispatch
Sakharoff confirms the belief thai the
great decisive battle of the campaign
between Gen. K%uropatkin's main army
and the armies of Generals Kuroki and
Oku is imminent.
The three armies probably aggregate
300, 900 men, and their %outposts are in
touch all along the line. The Japanese
evidently tried to draw K~urOpatkin as
far south as possible, holding out as an
incentive a check to the advance of
Oku's main army. Meantime Oku
swung sharply to the eastward to join
Kuroki toward the Chapan pass, Ku-
rokl at the same time moving a strong
force by the right flank toward Hal
cheng.
Shots Exchanged.
The main Japanese advance contin-
ues along the main Feng Wang Cheng-
Liaoyang road. avoidin gthe MaOtien
pass by a detour to the northward.
The advance in all points is being at
tended by constant skirmishing.
Nothing is known here Of the exact
point at which Kuropatkin's main
force is concentrated, though it is be.
lieved that a large part of the Lao
yang force has been moved to a point
between Kinchau and Ia Tche Kiao.
According to the Associated Press
dispatch from Ia Tche Kiao to-day a
large force has pushed southwark
from Ia Tche Kiao against Oku.
While Kuropatkin is thus extending
himself the Japanese, with great mo-
bility, seem to be trying to concentrate
for the purpose of striking the Rus
SLAMS in flank and rear.
Possibly Second Naval Fight.
Viceroy Alexieff last night sent a
brief dispatch from Rear Admiral
Without, naval commander at Port Ar.
thur, but it throws little additional
light on the sea fight off Port Arthur.
The admiralty and the mpcror are
awaiting further details with the same
eagerness as the general public. The
latter yesterday for the first time re-
ceived information through the medi-
UNI of foreign kilograms that a fight
had occurred. The loss of three YES
sells of the Port Arthur feet is admit
ted to be a
Severe Blow,
especially if not purchased by greater
loss to the Japanese than reported by
Vice Admiral Togo. The meagerness
of the reports is greatly mystifying the
authorities, who continue to believe
that there has been a later fight which
has not yet been reported.
There is a belief that the Vladivos-
tOk fleet put TO sea Saturday and is
liable to be next heard of in the Kor-
can straits.
The Russians lost eighty-one men in
the recent fight north of Ai-Yang-Pien-
Men, about sixty miles northeast of
Feng Wang Cheng, on the Mukden
road.
Russian Outpost Retreats.
With Gen. Kuroki's Headquarters in
the Field, June %, via Fusan. = The
Japanese have advanced for two days
and a battle is expected near Mao Tien
Ling pass, where the Russians are in
t%renched. A Russian outpost of 300 re-
treated before the Japanese and sew
eral Russians were captured. The
Japanese army is in splendid condi-
ton. The Chinese are welcoming the
Japanese occupation. The weather is
perfect.
Russian Position Is Untenable.
Chicago, June pa special to the
Daily News from Toxic says:
1t is stated by the war of1ce that
Gen. Oku's army has passed the noun
tain barrier protecting the right flank
and rear of Kuropatkin's forces in the
passes between Kaichou and Molten
pass. The Russian position has thus
been rendered strategically untenable,
and it is expected it will he made actu-
ally untenable in the course of the op-
erations of the present week, unless
the Russians resist the advance of the
Japanese more successfully thar hith-
erto. In that event Gen. Kuroki will
be relieved of the necessity of attack
fig frontally the main stronghold of
the Muscovites between Feng Wang
Cheng and the railway.
Russians Loss Is Very Heavy.
Niuchwang, June 2S.-Persistent ru-
mors reach here that an important bat
tie has occurred near ~Tatchekiao,