Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-06-09
CONFLICT IN FAR EAST


skirmishes between outposts have
been going on since May go with a
number of killed and wounded on each
side.
Large forces of bandits are gather
ing in the hills northeast of the plain
of Liao. 1t is their intention to move
north of Mukden and cut the railway,
thus isolating the Russian forces.
Rear Move by Russians.
London, June 4. - kilograms from
different points seem to confirm the
rumors that Gen. Kuropatkin is at
tempting a diversion in the direction
of Port Arthur. Russian reinforce
ments, according to dispatch from
Tien-tsin, are moving southwark from
Kaiping toward Wafangtien under
Gen. Stalkenberg. They comprise a
battery of artillery, four Siberian reg
iments and a company of Cossacks ag-
gregating 10000 men. Another brig
ade is following, the intention being to
engage in the rear the Japanese now
attacking Port Arthur.
Another Japanese Army.
Vanzalen, Manchuria, June f. - The
Japanese are landing another army Of
$4,000 men at Takushan, it is reported.
Japanese posts were withdrawn to.
day from positions near Vafangow.
They destroyed the bridges as they re-
tired. They were busy during the
night rembving the wounded from the
battlefield and burying the dead.
Final Advance on Port Arthur.
Chefu, June 3.-It is expected that
the final advance on Port Arthur will
commence to-day. The third Japanese
army, 1t is believed, will land close to
Port Arthur, probably at Pigeon Bay.
The Japanese have discovered and de-
stroyed formidable system Of land
mines close to Port Arthur which
was intended to blow their regiments
distance of several miles from the
forts.
The Russians, before retiring from
Dalny, destroyed more than half the
town. Only lack of Kerosene or 9TH
er inflammable fluid saved the rest Of
the buildings. According to latest re-
ports from Dalny the attack on Port
Arthur is expected to eliminate on or
before June 10.
A train of siege artillery has arrived
at Kinchou, together with staff from
the artillery school at Uraga. An en-
gineer battalion is waiting to disem-
bark with loads of sapping material
This battalion has balloon section
which will be used in directing the the
artillery preparation for the assault.
The garrison at Port Arthur is on half
rations five days week.
Squadron Captured.
London, June "a special dispatch
from Rome says telegram has been
received there from Toxic reporting
that Gen. Kuroki has completely de-
feated Gen. Kuropatkin's forces near
Sumentse (probably Saimatsza or
Simatsi.)
All the Russian positions east of
Hal Cheng have been abandoned, &C.
cording to the telegram; several guns
have been taken and whole squadrons
VI lSOSSdCkS .CdplNISu.
Battle Near Port Arthur.
Niuchwang, June 2. - A report has
just reached here that a battle oc-
Cured yesterday within six miles of
Port Arthur, and the Japanese now
are placing in position their siege
guns, preparatory to storming the
fortress
Chefu, June 2. 81 An unconfirmed
rumor is current among the Chinese
that a battle occurred six miles from
Port Arthur yesterday.
1000 cossacks Taken by Japs.
Paris, June 1.-The st. Petersburg
correspondent of Petit Parisien tele.
graphs:
THE report is current in st. Peters
burg that 1000 Cossacks belonging to
Gen. Rennenkampf''s troops have been
surrounded by the Japanese and
obliged to surrender between Saimatze
and Kwantien, near Feng Wang
Cheng. Kondratinekos column Of
5000 strong, which is already re-
ported to have interrupted commune
cations between the two Japanese
armies operating on parallel lines in
Liaotung peninsula, now is marching
toward Port Arthur, probably with the
object of creating diversion on the
flank of the besieging forces and CO.
operating with the garricon."
Russians Surprised.
London, May %. - The Shan Khai
Kwan correspondent of the Daily
Chronicle sends a report received at
NiucLwang that on May %, thinking
that the Japanese had retired from
Feng Wang Cheng, $4,000 Russians
from Hal Cheng and Liao-yang
marched toward Feng Wang Cheng.
They were surprised by 10000 Japan,
ese IN the Tatung pass.
The Russian casualties were 1000.
and more than 1000 Russians sur
rendered. The report does not give
the Japanese losses.
Japs Take kinchou.
London, May %. The Toxic cor.
respondent Of the Daily Express savs
it is reported unof1cially that the