Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1904-05-04
JAPS WON Fierce BATTLE.
FIRST LAND ENGAGEMENT OF
JAP.RUsso WAR.


Routed and Compelled to Retreat
Their Losses Very Heavy-Japs Had
to Wade Yalu River While Under
Fire-seeond Battle Occurs.
Toxic, March 2.-The war ONCE has
received dispatch from General Ku-
roki. commanding the Japanese ad-
vance, which tells OF complete Japan
ese victory in the first general engage
ment on land Of the war. The Russian
army of 10000 which General Kouro-
patkin boastfully declared would sweep
the Japanese ints the sea is completely
routed and was compelled to retreat
in confusion on Feng Huan Cheng.
The Russian losses are very heavy.
while those Of the japanese are de-
clared to have been much smaller than
might have been expected. considering
that they had to wade the Yalu river In
the face of a witnering nre from the
Russians, who were very strongly en-
trenched. The Japanese soldiers fought
with desperate courage and after tne
Russian artillery had been silenced
by the japanese guns they carried the
Russian entertainments in a gallant
bayoRst charge. in which the officers
strove to be the first to reach the In
terror Of the Russian positions.
ThA ununApnhohl v~lor vwh{oh
suited in the uninterrupted series of
victories during the war with china
was again very much in evidence.
Nothing could stop the troops. who.
tired with their long stay in the
trenches near Win, were anxious to
show that the army was fully as able
to bring honor to the mikado's colors
as has been the navy.
Toxic People Delighted.
The scenes in Toxic this morning
are well nigh indiscribable. The streets
have been filed all night with anxious
people waiting to hear the latest news
from the front. Unfortunately, beyond
the fact that a great Japanese victory
had been won, there is little else to be
learned. II the war Office has re-
ceived = complete report it is with
held for strategical reasons.
Another Stormy Battle.
General kuroki's preliminary report.
summary ri which, has been made
public. states that at daybreak ON Sun
day the Japanese artillery, which dur
ing the night had been posted ON the
left bank OF the .alu. opened fire on
the Russian entrenchments, which ex.
tended for four miles along the bank
Of the river from Kiu Lien Cheng to
Yuju Ko. The gunners served their
pieces with frantic energy and shell
after shell burst along the line. anu
one after the other the Russian guns
were dIsmantled and put out OF SER
vice. The fire was kept up until 1880
a. IN, when the last of the Russian
guns had been silenced.
Wade the River Under Fire.
Immediately q general assault was
GU oho uCoRltC - bCNCiC
fire which filled the air with nail, the
intrepid Japanese waded the river,
which in places was up to their waists
and were soon on the right bank. 1t
had been planned that the lines would
reform SO soon as the Manchurian
bank was reached. but there was no
stopping the soldiers, and with their
bayonets fixed to the muzzles of their
pieces they swept up toward the Rus
sian trenches. 1t was beyond the pow.
er Of human beings to check this
charge, and in exactly As minutes the
Russian position had been captured
and the army Of 10000 men was In
full retreat toward Feng Huan Cheng.
The bugle ordering the charge sound
ed at s:15 and at . o'clock the entire
line of Russian entrenchments, four
miles in length, was in the possession
Of General Kuroki's men. The Russians
left many dead and wounded In the
abandoned trenches. as well as a num-
ber OF cannon, which they had been
unable to keep with them In their hur-
ried retreat.
Did Not Follow the Russians.
No attempt was maue TO follow the
Russians toward Feng Huan Cheng.
All that had been planned by the gen.
erals staff had been gained and a base
in Manchuria, which is SO necessary
to ultimate success. had been secured.
The second army is now crossing the
Yalu without encountering any opposi-
tion. while the Japanese are In a po-
sition to land the. fleet of transports.
on which the third army is at present
being embarked. in the wide mouth Of
the Yalu at the very point where Gen.
eral Kouropatkin boasted q week ago
that the Russians would always re-
main 1t is understood that the mikado
has telegraphed his personal congratu-
lations to General Kuroki and his COM
mand. through whose valor the battle
OF Kiu Ling Cheng has been won.
Russians Burn Antung.
Toxic, May 2.-11 a. m.-The Rus
SLAMS we're forced To abandon Antung