Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-31
In Hand to Hand Struggle
Both Sides Throw
Grenades.
FIGHT Is GENERAL
Sudden Shifting of Japanese
Before kuropatkin Points
to Early Battle.

Chefoo, Oct. 31.-A general assault
upon Port Arthur which began in a
preliminary way on the oath. developed
into a fiercedly raging battle yester-
day, when, according TO a hitherto in
falliable authority, the Japanese flung
a heavy force against the fortness in
their attempt to secure a commanding
position. The result of yesterdays
fighting is unknown.
Open On Whole LIae.
On the cath. having made every pos
sible preparation the Japanese opened
fire with their artillery along the whole
line incidentally continuing their daily
practice of dropping shells into the
harbOr. The Russians replied.
The bombardment continued furious
~ until the afternoon of the Goth, when
the Russian guns on Else. Antse and
Rihlung mountains, became briefly 81
lent.
At o'clock that afternoon a regi-
ment Of Japanese swept out from be
hind recently captured hill adjacent
the Russian trenches lying between
Rihlung mountain and the railroad, Oc-
cuping them after an hours fighting.
Using Hand Grenndes.
The Russians stuck TO their posts till
the japanese were within a few yards,
both sides hurting hand grenades at
each other.
The Japanese infantry are now using
mechanical devices which enable them
10 throw grenades with great accuracy
and rapidity. In the meanwhile another
body of Japanese assaulted the trench
es on the slope of Rihlung mountain.
The Japanese brought all their avail
able artillery against the trenches, the
Russians eventually retiring. The
Russians exploded mines but, the Japa-
nese claim, without result Upon the
retirement the Russians opeEed fire
from Liati mountain and that night
the made a sortie But the Japanese
had in the meanwhile brought up ma
chine guns, with which the sortic was
Tepulsed.
Little Further News.
Except for the knowledge that the
bombardment was continued all infOr-
nation covering the period between
the 27th and 29th is lacking. but it is
presumed Japanese operations have
gradually assumed the proportion of
general attack Yesterdays fighting
is reported TO have been most severe
from Rihlung mountain down along the
whole east side of the town.
Fire at Port Arthur.
I'd al
attack on Port Arthur began Oct. "a.
according to Unimpeachable authority.
on Oct. % Japanese shells set fire TO
the only smokeless powder magazine
in Port Arthur. Portions of the town
caught fire. the confagration continu-
ing the whole day. On the same day
the Japanese captured the Russian
trenches on the slope of the Rihlung
mountains, also a fortified position
protecting that fortress. The Japanese
consider the progress of the siege to
be highly satisfactory.
Firing is Heard.
Chefoo. Oct. 31.-A steamer which
has just arrived here from New
ChwanC reports having heard heavy
firing at Port Arthur last night and
today until she was out of earshOt.
Great Battle in Prospect.
Mukden. Oct 31.-There have been
number of skirmishes along the whole
front. bur no development of any seri-
Gus import has yet appeared. though
the armies are in the closest touch and
a general engagement may be precipi-
tated AT any time. The Russian scouts
also discovered that the Japanese are
moving many batteries 70 the front.
though as Yet all have been carefully
masked.
At one point the trenches are only
4o0 yards apart. They are separated
by small stream. which is the only
water supply in the neighborhood. BY
mutual consent there is no firing on
the water carriers. who visit the
stream with buckets.
Gather For Battle
Mukden. Oct administration OF
the Japanese in their center. which
converges at a point where the plain
meets the hills. have attained the
greatest importance These manifes
tat!ons are being met by the Russians
So the situation is that this point is a
prospective battlefield
At the present moment trenches OF