The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-04-06
jAPs V|cT0Rs ON Land.
Only Small Forces Were Engaged
But the Japanese Held Their
Ground Calamity and
Russians Had to Re-
treat.

St. Petersburg, March 29.-The En-
peror has received a dispatch from
Gen. Kuropatkin giving long report
from Gen. Mishtchenko, dated at 10 p.
M, March %, which says that an i'm
portant engagement took place near
the town of Chong Ju, in which the
Russians were defeated retiring In
perfect order.
The japanese suffered heavily, but
the Russian losses are not stated.
Cavalry and infantry on both SIDES
were engaged. The Russians occupied
commanding position.
The Japanese fought gallantly, but
owing to their heavy losses were un-
able to occupy the position abandoned
by the Russians.
Gen. Kuropatkin's report is as fol-
lows:
81 have the honor respectfully to
communicate to your Majesty the re-
port of Gen. Mishtchenko, dated
March %, at 10 p. NJ, which says: :.
For three consecutive days all
our outposts attempted to draw the
japanese cavalry into action, but their
patrol, after contact was established,
retired beyond Chong Ju, about fifty
miles northwest of Ping Yang.
Having learned that four
squadrons of the enemy were posed
Eve versts beyond Chon Ju, on March
27 six companies marched toward
Kason and on March % reached Chong
Ju at 1890 a. m. AS soon as our
scouts approached the town the enemy
opened fire from behind the wall. Two
squadrons promptly dismounted and
occupied the heights. An engagement
| ensued.
In the town company Of infan-
try and squadron of cavalry were ~
ing in ambush. Our men were rein
forced by three companies and attack
ed the Japanese with a cross fire.
Notwithstanding this, and our com.
manding position, the japanese gal
lantly held their ground, and it was
only after a fierce fight of half an
hours duration that the Japanese
ceased IRE and sought refuge in the
houses. The japanese hoisted the
Red Cross flag at two points.
Soon afterwards three squadrons
of the enemy were seen advancing
along the Kason road at full gallop to-
ward the town, which two of the
squadrons succeeded in entering while
the third fell back in disorder under
repeated volleys from our troops. A
number of men and horses were seen
to fall
For an hour afterward our COM
panies continued to fire on the Japa-
nese in the town, preventing them
from leaving the streets and houses.
An hour and half after the be-
ginning Of the engagement four com
panies were seen on the Kasan road,
Fastening to attack. I gave the order
to mount, and the entire force, with
a covering squadron, advanced in
perfect order and formed in line be-
hind the hill. The wounded were
placed in front and the retirement was
carried out with the deliberation of a
parade.
'' The japanese squadron which
was thrown into disorder was evident
1y unable to occupy the hill which we
had Just evacuated and their infantry
arrived too late.
The detachment protecting our
| rear guard arrived quietly at Kasan,
| where we halted for two hours in order
to give attentio to our wounded.
At 9 p. ~ our force reached Noo-San.
g It is supposed that the japanese
had heavy losses in men and horses.
On our side unfortunately three Off
GERS we're severely wounded-Stepanoff
and Androoko in the chest, and
Vaselvitch in the stomach. Schilnikof
was less seriously wounded in the
| arm, but did not leave the field.
Three Cossacks were killed and twelve
were wounded, including FIVE serious
ly.
F. st. Petersburg, March 3O.-The
Novoe Vreyma today executed face
| about, stronglys.supporting the idea of
| Russo British understanding, in an
editorial entitled "The Blindness of
England" in which the paper argues
that the success of Japan would be
more injurious to Great Britain than to
! any other European nation. and points
to the United States as the common
! rival of both. 1t describes Japan as
Americas sharpshooter, and says ::
Remember what nation, in the
person of the commander of one of it's
men-of-war at Chemulpo, refused to
join in the collective protest of the
other foreign commanders before the
japanese destroyed the Variag and the
Korietz. Remember who alone among
all did not take on board the crews
of our perishing ships. To the honor
of England, the ally of Japan, it was
not her representative, but the COM
mander Of an American ship.
The Americans wish to convert the
Pacific irto an American Mediter.
ranean. Would that be to the advan.
tage of England9 Does. England not
understand in her blind policy and
hatred toward Russia that she is turn
ing this ocean into an American
Mediterranean? Sooner or later the
European countries will recognize that
America 10 their mutual enemy Why
should not Russia and England. in
view Of their possessions, combine?"