The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-28

to be ready today and the former with
in a week.
Within Twelve Miles of Port Arthur.
London, May 2S.-A Toxic correspon-
dent of the Telegraph says he learns
that the japanese troops are now with
in y miles Of Port Arthur and that the
russians suffered heavier casualties
than the Japanese who have taken
guns and other material and a few
prisoners. He predicts a further sur
prise, as Japan is now increasing her
efforts in all directions
Russia Feels Loss of Cannon.
St. Petersburg, May 2s.-3 D. M
There is no attempt here to discuss the
fact that the successful forcing of the
neck of Kwan Tung peninsula proper
puts a practical end to resistance to
the enemy until he reaches the actual
Notifications around Port Arthur AL
though there are many strong posi-
tions in the more tnan 25 miles before
the perimeter of the fortress is reach
ed the authorities admit that the Rus
slams can offer but little resistance and
must now retire within the fortress
and undertake to defend themselves
against a siege. Neither the admiralty
nor the general staff hds any direct in
formation. Like the outside world, the
admiralty and general staff are de-
pendent entirely upon the enemy for
news. Native reports, which may be
of some value are, however, expected
shortly.
While there is no disposition to
question the main facts sent out Off
cially from Toxic, some unofficial re-
received with caution. The impossi-
bility of holding the advance positions
around Kin Chou in the face of over
Whelming odds has all along been ad-
mitted, but on account of the charac-
ter of the position as well as its de-
fenses the general staff Can not but be-
lieve that the defense must have been
heroic and the positions were only ta-
ken by a display of desperate courage
and at a frightful cost. The earlier
news was received in cool spirit by
both the public and the newspapers,
but if the latest report that the Jap
anese captured 80 guns is confirmed it
is sure that the effect viii be much
deeper and certain to be considered n
severe blow. Until that report arrived
the feeling was that the Russians mad
resisted to the limit of human endur-
ance and had retired in good order,
but if that number of guns was taken
it will put a different complexion upon
things though it is conceivable here
that if the Japanese operating feet
landed forces at San Shi Ii Pu and
Taiien Wan and got in the rear of the
Russian positions, the abandonment OF
the guns would nave become necessary.
This view, however, win hardly di-
minish the extent of the disaster.
Russians Failed to Rally.
Toxic, May 2S.-It is doubted if the
Russians will stand again north of
field beaten and they failed to rally at
Nan Quan Ling, where it was antici-
pated that a second stand would be
made.
anese on the heights of Nanshan were
telling, for the Russians left 300 dead
in trenches there. A complete search
of this field is expected to show
greater number of dead.
Nan Quan Ling was rccUpsad yester-
day morning by a force Of infantry, ar
tillery and engineers under the COM
mand of General NakamoFa. The main
japanese force spent Friday night bill
leted in the villages around Nanshan.
The soldiers were greatly fatigued as
result of the constant fighting but they
entered with much spirit upon the new
operations.
A force of Russians held San Chilipu
station, which is northwest of Dalny,
but the Japanese drove them out. The
Russians abandoned and burned the sta
ton and retired in the direction of
Port Arthur. The estimates of the
Russians engaged in the defense of Kin
Chou, Nanshan hill and the south shore
of Italian Wan bay vary but it is eV1-
dent that the Russians drew from the
forces at Port Arthur and offered all
the resistance possible 1t is under
stood here that Lieutenant General
StOesSei. commander of the military
forces at Port Arthur was in personal
command of the recent operations
AS soon as the Japanese forces have
rested they VIII press on 10 the SOUTH
Kind to Prisoners.
Seoul, May Is, p. m.-The kind
ness of the Japanese to their prisoners
here has been exemplified by the
sending to their homes of two wound
ed cossacks photographs of the men,
showing them to be alive and safe.
Navy's Part in the Battle.
Toxic, May 2S, II p. m.-The Japa-
nese squadron which. was assigned to
cooperate in the attack of the sec
ond army on Kin Chou and Nansan
hill, composed of the -gunbOats Thu
kishi, Amagi, Heiyen and Chokai and
the first torpedo boat f1Otilla, entered
Kin Chou bay on Wednesday. A
heavy sea prevented its participating
in the fighting of that day The
weather cleared on Thursday morn
ing, however, and in spite of the
shallOwness of the water the squadron
steamed close to shore and lombard
ed the Russian batteries.
Early in the action a shell passed
over the forward deck of the ChOlxai.
killing a lieutenant and two petty
officers and wOunding two men. The
torpedo boat fiotilla shelled the railroad
near the ShaOs river. The torpedo
boats took sOundings and guided the
larger ships. The squadron advanced
with the Japanese right flank and
aided in covering it. Later in the day
the falling tide compelled the with
drawal of the larger warships
Captain Hayashi, commander of the
ChOkai, was killed by the explosion
of shell near one of the ships guns
Four other men were wounded. The
vessels themselves were not damaged.