Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-29
LOSE THOUSAND MEN
st. Petersburg Declares Loss
to Russians is of Little
Consequence.

iot-
fore Port Arthur. Dec 29.-Rihlung
fort was captured at 3 O'Clock this
morning with 1000 Japanese casual
ties. Seven dynamite mines exploded
at 10 yesterday made breaches in th5
front wall through which a large body
of Japanese troops charged under COW
er of a tremendous bombardment and
captured the fort after a bitter fight.
The garrison. numbering 500. escaped.
Follow Up Explosion.
At 10 O'Clock "Wednesday morning
the left center column following heavy
explosions on the frontal parapet of
RihIung mountain charged and oc-
cupied the parapet under cover OF fire
from the heavy guns and constructed
defense works despite the enemy's
fierce fire.
At 4 O'Clock in the afternoon when
the Japanese occupation was practi-
cally assured they charged and oc-
cupied the inner lines of heavy gun
positions. and subsequently dislodginS
the remnant OF the enemy's force stub
bornIy holding the gorge fort. which
they occupied and captured the entire
works
Minimize the Victory
St. Petersburg. Dec. 29.-The war
office points out that the occupation of
Rihlung mountain by the Japanese still
leaves the main line unbroken.
Line Considerably Advanced.
Inc
at Port Arthur Is now. as a result Of
the general attack beginning the 25th.
much closer to Liaotis mountain.
Chinese who left Port Arthur yester-
day arrived here today. report a great
u Inferior Russian force defended the
outermOst of the trenches for three
days. retiring when Japanese artillery
had secured an enfilading position
The fighting mostly was at range of
two thirds OF a mile. the japanese fear
ing mines. The Russians retired to
Chingkakao.
Get Another HILL
japanese who arrived at Chefoo to-
day from Port Dalny say the recent
fighting also resulted in the capture of
n hill called by the Japanese yangthu-
ban (possibly Keekwan mountain), en-
abling the Japanese tn seriously harass
land communication with Liaotis forts
and with forts ON Else and Antse
mountains. The capture of Yangthu-
ban hill followed several night attacks.
during one OF which the Japanese be-
came confused. killed each other. and
retired when the mistake was discov-
cred
The japanese further report severe
fighting has occurred on the north
flank. particularly at Rihlung noun
tain. where. when the japanese left
Port Dalny. the Japanese forces had
made some progress.
Caught Running blockade.
Two steamers recently ran the block
ade at Port Arthur. One of them was
captured by the Japanese when emerg-
ins from the harbor.
kuropntLin Aggressive
Toxic. Dec 29.-Manchurian army
headquarters reporting today says:
"On the afternoon of the 27th the
Russians with heavy field guns bonn
barded Shakhe river railroad bridge
in the neighborhood of the station and
Russian guns at Talientun shelled
Chihsiangtun and ShulantZu. Russian
cavalry attacked Heilintun al sunset
on the same day but were repulsed
by Japanese cavalry In the evening
Russian cavalry enyeloped the Japa-
nese pickets who were reinforced and
finally repulsed the enemy. The Japa-
nese had three men killed
Ru.xiau Omcer. Identiaed.
Shanghai. Dec. 29.-Private advices
received here from Sasebo say the cap
tain and lieutenant of the Russian tor
pedo boat destroyer Rastoropny, blown
up at Chefoo Nov. &c after escaping
from Port Arthur. have been identified
as being on board the British steamer
Nigretia. seized by the Japanese cruis-
er Tsushima. of Ulsan. Korea, Dec. 1S.
and brought to- Sasebo.
Hire Chin~~~ soldiers.
Mukden. Dec. 29.-Irrefutable eyi-
dence has been obtained at headQuar-
tiers that the Japanese are not only
hiring Chinese bandits TO operate on
the Russian fianks. but they are en-
listing Chinese under Japanese officers
The Japanese are adopting cunning
expedients TO defeat the surprise at
tacks of the Russian scouts from which
they have suffered much They cover
the steep approaches TO their trenches