Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-07-23
RUSSIA DEFEATED
IN FIERCE FIGHT
81 Battalions Thrown Against Japs
Were RepulSed.
RUSSIANS LOST OVER 1000 MEN

Count Keller's Troops Engaged Enemy
In Mountain Pass, and After Hard
Fight Were Driven Back Was a
Reconnaissance on a Large Scale.
st. Petersburg, July 19.-The p
sian and japanese forces which Gre
lined up expecting a clash grSppled
in a serious fight Sunday morning ac-
cording to a report from General Kuro-
patkin received here late last night.
The report indicated that the Japanese
misinterpreted the movement and that
lsstead of it being AN attempt to take
Mo Tien Pass it was reconnaissance
on a large scale.
An important fact developed by the
reconnaissance was the exact location
Of powerful Japanese force secreted
In the region between Fen Shut and
Mo Tien Passes. Its strength is indi-
Gated by the fact that 81 battalions
were insufficient to permanently force
the Japanese positions, though some
of them were occupied temporarily.
On the other hand it would appear
from the report that the Japanese were
either disinclined or unable to follow
up Lieutenant General Keller when he
retired TO his former position at TX
havuan. The seriousness of the days
fighting is shown in General Keller's
estimate that the Russian casualties
were over 1000.
General Kuropatkin's report is as
follows:
after the occupation by General
Kurokis army of the passes in the
Fenshui mountain chain, our informa-
ton concerning his forces and DISPOSE
lions was in general inadequate. Ac-
! cording to some reports, his army had
been reinforced and he had even ex-
tended his forces to SaimatsZa. Other
reports stated that displacement of
his troops had been made in the direc-
ton of Ia Pass and Siuyen. There
were even indications that Kuroki had
transferred his headquarters from
| Tskhakhekan to Touinpu.
"On July IL, in order to determine
the strength of the enemy, it was de-
cided to advance against his position in
the direction of Liam Shan Kwan.
/ been instructed not to start with the
/ object of capturing the pass, but to act
according to the strength of the force
] he would find opposed TO him.
/ 1.-The left column of this expedition
airy force, consisting of three battal-
/ ions, was dispatched towards Sibey
/ Pass. The centre column, commanded
/ by Major General Kashtalinsky, con-
sisting Of IA battalions, with ~ guns,
was destined to attack Siaokao Pass,
the heights surmounted by the temple.
and Wafankwan Pass. The right COL
umn, one battalion strong, was occupy
ing points where the roads leading to
Sinkia and Lakho Passes cross, in or
der to cover the right flank of General
Kashtalinsky's column. The general
reserve was left at Ikhavuen, and a
portion Of the force occupied position
at that place.
cat 10 p. M, July 16. the head Of the
column advanced from Ikhavuan. At
II o'clock battalion Of the second
regiment dislodged a Japanese outpost
at the point of the bayonet at the cross
ing of the Lakho and the Sinkia roads.
The details of this engagement have
not yet been verified, but its general
course, according to telegraphic re-
ports sent in by General Keller was as
follows:
During the night the Japanese had
evacuated Siaokao Pass and the
heights surmounted by the temple,
leaving only outposts there. At dawn
General Kashtalinsky's column occu-
pied these passes, driving back the
Japanese advance posts.
"At about $50 on the morning of
July II the Japanese in considerable
strength and with numerous guns oc-
cupied Wafankwan Pass,and the noun