Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-06-23
COLUMN
COMES TOO LATE
kURoPATklN SENDS TWO Dlvls,
IONS TO COVER sTAkEL-
BERG's RETREAT.
BUT JAPs WILL CUT IrtM Off
ON LAND AND SEA CON-
TlNUEs AROUND PORT
ARTHUR.

Chefu, June 19.-Gen. Kuropatkin is
reported to have dispatched two army
divisions to cover Gen. Stakelberg's
retreat. 1t is believed that this relief
column will be too late, as Gen. Nodzu
is nearer the retreating Russians than
before nightfall.
A similar subsequent action has
been fought near Siuyen. This battle
may have been with Russians coming
south to aid their comrades. Gen.
Stakelberg is said to be wounded
The Chinese who arrived here state
that there are 100000 Japanese troops
around Port Arthur. Fresh troops are
being landed south of Kaichao.
Fighting on land and sea continues
around Port Arthur.
Final Attack Nearly Due.
Chicago, June 10. Stanley Wash
burn, staff correspondent of the
Daily News. cables his paper from
Chefu under yesterdays date:
Though the Fawan has kept close
watch on Port Arthur for four days
past little news of Importance has
been gathered. Occasional shots have
been heard in the direction of the land
forts of the main fortress, and also in
Society bay. The Fawan has stopped
many Chinese junks coming from
Port Arthur, and from the statements
made by their crews the following
picture of conditions within the fort
ress has been obtained: Food is very
scarce. The Russians are selling ev-
erything edible-even dogs. All avail
able stores of rice have been -confisca-
ted and the Chinese are leaving
To Avoid Starvation.
There are twenty warships in the
harbor. Ten of these are torpedo
boats and destroyers. The other ten
are large ships. The guns of four of
these vessels have been dismantled
and placed on the forts. The destroy
ers come out daily on short cruises
returning when the Japanese fleet is
sighted. Practically all foreigners
have left the fortress. The coast is
closely patrolled by the Japanese YES
sells.
when cruising on Thursday the
Fawan was again held up and exam
ined by a Japanese destroyer. The
commander warned us that the Rus
SLAMS have been laying mines near the
Miaotao islands. He also assured us
that the landward fighting had made
such progress that it was likely the
final attack would not be delayed
much longer"
Russian Vessel Sunk.
London, June ia dispatch from
Toxic reports that the Japanese Ad-
miral Kamimura, who is pursuing the
Russian vessels which sunk Japanese
transports in the straits of Korea, has
caught up with and sunk one Of the
Russian vessels off Slamaneken, on
the northern coast of Japan
Naval Fight in Progress.
Paris, June 19.-According to dis
patch from ST. Petersburg, a naval bat
tie is in progress near Tsu islands, in
the Straits of Korea. Heavy cannon
aiding was heard in the vicinity yes
terday afternoon.
Russian Squadron Missing.
st. Petersburg. June 49,. The adj
miralty denies knowledge of the
whereabouts of the Vladiyostok squad.
ron.
s kuropatkin in Command.
London, June 19.-The corresponds
ent5of the Daily Chronicle at Yin Kow,
in dispatch dated June IL, says that
Gen. Kuropatkin left Liao-yang on last
Wednesday to assume command of the.
army operating toward Port Arthur.
To Intercept Stakelberg.
The Daily Mails Niuchwang CORES
pondent says:
The advanced guards of Gen. Ku-
roki's army are colliding with the Rus
SLAMS fifteen miles south to Tashi-
choa.
u The Daily Mail in an editorial says
1t thinks that the correspondent is
mistaken, and that the force is a fresh
Japanese army under Gen. Nodzu,
moving rom Siuyen to intercept Gen.
Stakelberg's retreat.
Battle Near kaichou.
Niuchwang, June 10. Two Greek
refugees report q landing of Japanese
IN force few miles south of Kaichou
and stiff fight southeast Of that place
Thursday afternoon. Chinese report
u ~