The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-19
KELLER REFUSED
BY JAPANESE FORCES
Russian Leader Driven Back With a Loss
That "Exceeded 1000"
Gen. Kuropatkin Makes Formal Report of An
Attack Upon Japanese Position-Thoush
Forced to Retire, the Russian General
Says His Troops Withdrew in Order.
He Praises Their Conduct

st Petersburg, July 1S.-The follow
inc, disnatch from Gen. Kuropatkin to
the Emperor, dated July II, ''on our
rastern 'front.'" was given out tonight:
AFTER the occupation by Gen. Kuro-
ki's army of the passes in the Fenshui
mountain chain. our information con-
cerning his forces and dispositions was
in general inadequate. According to-
some reports, his army had been rein
forced and he had even extended his
forces towards Saimatsza. Other re-
ports stated that a displacement of his
troops had been made in the direction
of Ia Pass and Siuyen. There were
even indications that Kuroki had
transferred his headquarters from
Tskhaikpekan to Touinpu.
"On the strength of the information
received and on the basis of reconnais-
sances which had been made, the hypo-
thesis was formed that the principal
forces of the enemy were concentrated
around Lianshankwan, and that their
advanced guards had been strengthen
ed in the passes of Siaokao, Wafank-
wan. Sinka, Lakho and Papau, as well
as at Sybry pass, two and a half miles
north of the road, and half the hight of
Siaokao pass.
"On July II, in order to determine the
strength of the enemy, it was deter
mined to advance against his position
7 TO- -I,.a ar,lxx
Lieut.. Gen. Count Keller had been in
structed not to start with the object of
capturing the pass, but to act accord
ing to the strength of the force that
he would find opposed to him.
Division of the Forces.
1.-THE left column of this expedition
ary force, consisting CT three batvl
talions, was dispatched towards Sybry
pass. The center column. commanded
by Maj Gen. Kashtalnsky, consisting
of fourteen battalions. with twelve
guns was destined to attack Siakao
pass, the nights surmounted by the
temple and Wafankwan pass. The
right column, one battalion strong, was
occupying points where the roads lead
ing to the Sinkia and Lakho passes
cross in order to cover the right flank
of Cen Kashtalinsky's column The
general reserve was left at Ikhaviuen
and portion of the force occupied a
position at that place.
at 10 p. m. July 16, the head of the
column advanced from Ikhavuen At
Ii o'clock battalion of the Second
Regiment dislodged a Japanese outpost
at the point of the bayonet at the
crossing of the Lakho and the Sinkai
roads.
The details of this engagement
have not yet been verified, but its
general course, according to tele-
graphic reports sent in by Gen. Keller,
was as follows:
During the night the Japanese had
evacuated Siaklo pass and the nights
surmounted by the temple, leaving
only outposts there. At dawn Gen.
Kashtalinsky's column occupied these
passes, driving back the japanese ad-
vance posts.
Japanese Heavy Fire.
At about $50 on the morning of
July Il, the Japanese, in considerable
strength and with numerous guns, oc-
cupied Wafankwan pass and the
mountainous bluffs to the south on
the flank of Gen. Kashtalinsky's col
umn. From this position and from
the crest of the mountains to the east
of the heights surmounted by the tenn
pie, the enemy directed a very heavy
rifle and artillery fire.
Gen. Kashtalinsky advanced to oc-
cupy the bluffs, sending forward at
first one and then three battalions but
the attempt failed, Notwithstanding
the support given by the horse noun
Tam battery, as our field guns could
not be brought into action on account
OF the nature of the ground
At about s a. rn Gen. Keller, who
was directing the fight around Ikhav-
uen' deemed 1t necessary to lend as
S'stance to Gen. Kashtalinsky's col
umn' by bringing up from the general
reserve three battalions to the heights
Sufmounted by the temple. In order
10 maintain the positions we had al
ready occupied, 1t was necessary. ow-
ing to the enemy's pressure, to rein
Iofce Immediately with other reserves
me troops in the fighting line. but
nese positions owing to their situa-
"ol' were untenable.
Keller Forced to Retire.
Gen. Keller found the strength of
u'e enemy so great. compared with
ours that he decided not to continue
'ne fight. and not to bring up either
'ne special or the general reserves.
especially in view OF the fact that in
'se Of his ultimately taking the Of
''HsiVe II would be necessary to attack
Without support OF the field artillery.
IN consequence Of this. Gen. Keller
eolaed about io;So o'clock to withdraw
ms troops to the positions originally
upled In the Yanze pass. The
oops retired slowly, step by step, and
'' perfect order, covered by the FIRE OF