Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1904-05-12
WITH HIS STAFF He NARROWLY
ESCAPES CAPTURE BY
JAPANESE.
RUSSIANS ARE HARD PRESSED
DRIVEN BACK IN CONFUSION BY
THE VICTORIOUS JAP
ANEsE.

Dy the Japanese.
Their special train passed north yes
terday. II was the last train out OF
Port Arthur, which now is cut of
from rail. telegraph and sea commnni-
cation.
Alexieff's train was fired upon by
the japanese infantry. but no one on
board was injured. although there were
some narrow escapes.
Immediately after the train passed
the Japanese took possession OF the
road and cut the wires.
Japanese troops were landed on
each side of the Liaotung peninsula
Thursday and yesterday. and the siege
Of Port Arthur has practically begun.
A dispatch from Mukden says that
Alexieff has reached there safely.
Port Arthur Cut of.
st. Petersburg, May ga dispatch
received last night says that Port Ar
thur is cut off from all communication
by land, the Japanese having disem-
barked in its rear. occupied the rail-
road and cut the telegraph. Vice Adj
miral Skrydloff, who is en- route to
Port Arthur to take command Of the
naval forces in the Far East, will be
unable to reach his destination.
Russians Hear Rumors.
st. Petersburg, May S.The receipt
Of Official dispatches announcing the
investment OF Port Arthur has pro-
duced a deep feeling of gloom. and the
air is full of rumors One is that the
japanese have captured Port Arthur
and another that big battle has been
fought at Freng Wang Cheng, in which
the Japanese were defeated, but that
Gen. Kuropatkin was wounded. Both
oof these rumors are secuted in re-
sponsible quarters, but the receipt Of
news at any time Of decisive battle
near Feng Wang Cheng will not cause
surprise here.
Russians Hard Pressed.
Toxic, May ga brisk engagement
between the advance guard of Gen
KuroH's army and a large body Of
Russian cavalry took place yesterday
about fifteen miles east of Feng Wang
Cheng. The Russians were driven to
their base in confusion. According to
latest accounts the victorious Japs
under Kuroki are pressing hard on
Feng Wang Cheng, and If the Russians
elect to make stand, another san
culinary battle is imminent
Thousand Jap Casualties.
London, May s. The Post CORES
pondent with the Japanese army tele-
graphs: NJ
Elm the battle at the Yaln on Satur-
day and Sunday the Japanese had q
thousand casualties. Many Russian
prisoners are held at Antung The at
titude OF the Manchurians and Chinese
toward the anvance Of the Japanese
forces is one of welcome Gen.
Zassalitch was seriously wounded in
the engagement The victorious Jap.
anese advance continues"
Correspondents Killed.
st. Petersburg, May s.. The absence
OF press messages giving details of the
battle on the Yalu last Sunday is par
TALLY explained by the heavy mortal
ity among the newspaper correspond,
ents with the Russian The Novosti ID
believed to have lost three of its men
| In the battle and the Russ lost one
The other papers are telegraphing to
learn the fate of their correspondents
Russians Are stoical.
st. Petersburg, May s. japanese
| troops swarming across the narrow
neck of the Lao Tung peninsula, the
railroad and telegraph communities
tons cut and the Russian Gibraltar
isolated and left To its own resources
ALI this the Russians seem to accept
with great stoicism.
These events have been anticipated
since the outbreak of the war and tbs
authorities, in sense, appear to be re
lieved now that the blow has fallen
They assert that the fortress is i'm
pregnable and amply provisioned Il
stand siege for a year, and that Il
can hold out until the time comes Il
relieve it.
| According to official information tho
landing Of troops from sixty transports
Began simultaneously
at Pitsewp and Cape Terminal on thu
morning Of May 5. 1t is also reportes
that troops are being landed at Kin
chow. but this is not credited. as thu
Russians are known TO have fortified
tions there, and 1t Ii not believed tina
the japanese had the daring to lans
immed iateIy under an intrenched DO
sitiOn from which the Russians couIf