Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-06-22
TEN THOUSAND
MEN ARE LOST
Terrible Disaster to the Russian
Forces at the Battle of Wafansow
Two Thousand Killed.
ADVANCING ON PORT ARTHUR
The Ever Victorious Japanese Stead
lily closinn in on the Rus
sian Stronghold.


Toxic, June 20, p. m.-Further
reports received here show that the
blow inflicted by General Oku on The
Russians, in the fighting at Telissu
(Vafangow), on June Is, was more
severe than at first was believed.
The number of Russians killed in
this battle probably will exceed 1000
and their total losses, including pris-
oners, is estimated at 10000. The
Japanese losses are less than LOCO,
or about one-tenth of the Russian to
tai.
Up to June 18th, General Oku has
buried 1916 Russian dead and he re-
ports than many more dead have
been found.
Chinese who witnessed the fighting
from the Russian side report that the
Russians removed many dead men
from the trains with their wounded
and that they buried or cremated
many corpses in the village of Huas-
ungkou before they retreated.
The number of prisoners and tro-
phies taken by the Japanese is in
creasing. General Oku Is not yet
able to report the total number Of
prisoners.
Russians Place Their Loss at 5000.
St. Petersburg, June 20, sos p. m.
"A detailed report Of the Russian
losses at the battle of Vafangow, CIV
en- out this evening, places the total
at 5000 killed and wounded, mostly
men who belonged to the troops form
ing the Russian right flank.
Toxic, June 16.-The Russian hope
of relieving the pressure on Port Ar
thur by threatening the rear of Gen.
eral Oku. the commander of the ia
panese forces investing the Russian
stronghold, came TO an end yesterday
at Telissu, a point on the railroad SO
miles north of Kin Chou and rs miles
north of Vfangow, when the Rus
slams were out-maneuvered, envelop
ed and sweepingly defeated.
They left over 500 dead on the field
and the Japanese captured 300 pris-
oners and IA quick-fring field guns.
The Russians retreated hastily to the
northward.
The Japanese charge that the Rus
SLAMS violated the Japanese flag. Ger
tain officers aver that during the fight
ing body of Russians appeared, car
rying a Japanese flag, and that the
Japanese artillery, deceived by this
flag, ceased firing upon that particu-
lar body of Russians. Official dis
patches from the japanese command
ers make specific charges of this flag
violation.
Early estimates of the Japanese
losses at Telissu say that 1000 men
were killed or wounded.
The Japanese attacking force was
divided into right and left columns
and began the advance on Tuesday
along both sides of the railroad. They
encountered the Russians east Of
Vafangow and drove them back un-
til, at a late hour in the afternoon.
the Russians, held a line between
Lung Wangtiao and Tafangshen. The
Japanese artillery opened on this
line and the Russians responded. The
Smelling continued for two hours and
II was followed by the advance of the
Japanese line to a position extend
ing from Lunchiatun to Yuhotun.
Darkness put an end to the fighting.
The Japanese dispatched column
to the westward toward Flu Chau, for
the purpose of covering the Russian
right wing and to protect their left
rear.
During the night it became appar-
ent that the Russians were being re-
enforced and 1t was decided to make
a general attack in the morning and
force the Russians into defile back
Of Telissu.
When morning came, 1t was dis
covered that the Russians held line
extending from Tafangshen to Cheng
Tsushan, with a force estimated at
over two divisions.
The Japanese planned to envelop
the Russians near Telissu and they
succeeded admirably. While the
main Japanese force was moving
north along the railroad, columns
WCIS oWuu6 ny tuC lClt anu ii6ht oht
finally converged at noon on the main
Russian position. The Russians in
this position were at disadvantage,
but they held 1t with determination
until 3 o'clock in the afternoon. AT
this hour they were routed.
The Japanese cavalry continued to
pursue the enemy and probably In.
ficted considerable punishment.
The japanese commander makes
no estimate of the Russian losses but
says they probably were great.
Among the Russian officers cap
tured by the Japanese is the colonel
of the Fourth regiment of rifles.
Poort Arthur Strong Point.
Lao Yang, June 18.-According to
trustworthy news from Port Arthur
there had not been a fresh attack
by land or sea up to June H., though
the Japanese had made a fourth un'
successful attempt to block the en-
trance to the harbor. using four ships
two of which were Immediately sunk
by shots from the batteries, the 9th
er two Withdrawing.
The Russian feet, according Ia
these adyices, is intact and the spir
its of the garrison and inhabitants
are excellent The soldiers are Gag
er to fight and are confident Of the
impossibility of the taking Of Port
Arthur by the Japanese. Most of the
inhabitants have enlisted in the vol
unteers and 600 women have offered
their services. Perfect order is main
lainad ana frada and industry are