The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-06-22
RUSSIA MEETS DEFEAT.
Reports OF Japanese Victories ON Both
Land and Sea.


Reports Of Japanese Victories ON Both
Land and Sea.
Three Russian armored cruisers, the
Rossia, Gromovoi and Rurik. Of the
V~ladivostok squadron. have been cap
tured by the Japanese fleet under Ad-
miral Kamimura after a running fight
OF two days In the Korean straits, ac-
cording to a cablegram from Toxic via
the Cologne Gazette.
The three Russian cruisers were re-
ported in a terrific battle off Tsu ISL
and, their escape into the outer sea
having been cut off. According to dis
patches from Nagasaki the Russians
were pursued north by four japanese
cruisers from Admiral Togo's feet
and as they were approaching the
straits leading to the open sea three
other japanese warships appeared
from the north, thus preventing their
escape.
Russian power on the sea In the far
East is practically destroyed, If this re-
port is true. The Rossia, Rurik and
Gromovoi are first-class armored cruis
ers.
All doubt as to the sinking of the
transports Iitachi and Sado hy. the
Russians has been removed. Three
hundred and ninety-seven survivors of
the Hitachi arrived at Moji and 1913
survivors of the Sado have arrived at
Kokura. Details of the destruction OF
the transports and the number of the
casualties are not obtainable.
1t was rumored at st. Petersburg
Thursday that General Stackelberg
had sustained a disastrous defeat at
yafangan. The battle at Vafangan,
north Of Port Arthur, was In progress
for three days. Losses on the Russian
side-more than 300 Tuesday-show
that the fighting was of a desperate
character, and General Kuropatkin's
report proves that both armies are de-
termined to force matters to an issue.
Operations leading up to the battle
of yafangan date back to June IL,
when two japanese divisions, n COM
manded by General Nozu. advanced
from the Pulantien-P itsewo line, prob
ably prompted by intelligence that the
Russians were receiving re-enforce-
ments. A sharp skirmish took place
the night OF June II at the Village Of
Oudiaden, FIVE miles west Of the rail
road and seven miles south of Wa
fangtien, and another skirmish occur
red on the heights near the Village of
Lidiatun, ten miles east of Oudiaden.
The japanese were repulsed, but the
Russian advance posts retired. June
13 two japanese divisions were five
miles north of the scene OF the Skin
mish, their left wing resting on the
Village of Vafangan and their right
on the Valley Of the Tassa, which
flows parallel with the railroad, going
into the sea ten miles south of Pitse-
VIC. After a days rest the enemy adj
vanced fifteen miles June IA and at
tackled the left of the Russian position
four miles south of Vafangan. The
Russians had the best of the first days
fight, annihilating a japanese cavalry
squadron and taking some prisoners.
Wednesdays battle extended over a
rough country, where artillery was
very effective. The Russian lines ex-
tended between the villages of Lam
chau, near the railroad, and Fafan-
vopen. The Japanese were between
Tafanchau and Hunchau. Stacked
berg's reserves were held at Sisan. q
short distance from the Yafangau sta
ton. The japanese reserves were
south of Tafanchau. General NoZu's
artillery began the day by Smelling the
Russian right, while his sharpshootefs
were busy with the other wing. Stack
elberg was not certain whence the
| main attack would be delivered, and
sent out cavalry to the heights Of Ian
| chau tt reconnoiter. Having ascertain
ed that the enemy was not moving in
that quarter he attacked the japanese
| center and left to drive the enemy
| against the railroad. The Japanese
countered by moving up reserves in an
| effort to turn the Russian right.