The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-24

Koreans estimated their number at
about 600. The cossacks who fought
with the Koreans at Ham Heung are
supposed to have retired to Ghanchin-
The latest reports from Ham Heung
are that the Russians burned 500
houses in the suburbs and partly de-
stroyed the longest bridge in Korea
which there spans Song Chin river. De-
tached bodies of Russian troops which
evidently lack mutual understanding.
are continually appearing and they
seem to have no definite purpose other
than that of marrying the country DeO-
pie. Major Takagi, the commander at
Gensan, apparently Wearying of this
continued raiding, has sent a force
north, the strength of which has not
been stated, and wnich is probably in
tended to garrison Ham Heung
The influence of Lady ON, the en-
peror's favorite at Seoul palace. has
recently been weakened. She insisted
upon the retention In office of vi Yung
Tai, the seller of perfectures, against
the emperor'S desire to appoint either
Vi Chi Yong or Sim Sang Hun. the
home minister, to the office The en-
peror sharply rebuked her for inter
that she refrain from interfering in
politics. Many Koreans predict the
end of her power which has lasted for
over a decade The Japanese commits
instability of the rate of the exchange
between the japanese yen and Korean
nickel. The government mints are
working overtime to pay the imperial
notes held by an American firm.
Cholera Among Japanese.
Lao Yang, May 24.=Accordins to
the latest reports the japanese camps
are infected with cholera, and there is
an average of 100 deaths daily. The
military situation is comparatively
fully harassing the left of the ad-
vance.
Mouth of the Liao Mined.
Yinkow, May 24.-The Russians
have completed the mining of the
harbor and the mouth of the Lao
river. It is now believed that there
are immense supplies at New ChWang
and that that place is thoroughly pro-
tected against any incursion of Japa-
nese.
Nobody Believes 1t.
st. Petersburg, May 24-6 .. m.-The
report cabled to the Associated Press
yesterday that the foreign office had
received a telegram from the Russian
consul at ChefoO reporting that the
japanese had made an attack on Port
Arthur and had lost Is 900 men killed
or wounded and that the Russians had
lost 1900 is true, but as nothing con-
firmatory has been received from any
other source the report is not given
credence. The consul in his telegram
said this information was obtained
from the Chinese. The war office has
nothing to confirm his report
KuriI1o Reports a SIxirnlish.
Washington, May 24.-The Jap
anese legation has received the fol-
lowing cablegram from Toxic:
General Kuriko reports that on
May q one section of our infantry
encountered the enemy's cavalry, zoe
strong, at a point about eight miles
northeast of Kuan Tien- The enemy
fed in a northWesterly direction, leav-
ing twenty dead. No casualties on ouI
side"
CossacIzs AIxFlcs. AnnihiIated.
Toxic, May 24--5 p. M--GeneraI Kuriko
reports that a selection Of japanese in
fantry encountered and defeated 200 cos
| sacks at Toufao kou, eight miles north
east of Kunag Tien- The cossacl1s fled &c
Al Pienman, leaving 20 dead. The Japa-
| nese sustained no loss
Additional details of the fight at Wang
Chi Tun, near Taku Shan, May %. indi-
cate that the squadron of cOssacks was
almost annihilated by. the japanese in
fantry, which surrounded and completely
routed the enemy. All thes Russian Off
| GERS were killed. wounded or captured
| Natives report that some of the cOssacks
/ escaped on foot, abandoning their equip
| ment Many killed and wounded were
found on the battlefield