Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-02-07
JAPANESE LEFT
is UNDER FIRE.
sTuBBoRNLY REsIsTs coNT1N-
UED RUSSIAN ATTACK.
sklRMlsHlNo IS CONSTANT
Japs Charge Enemy with Mutilating
Wounded - Gen. oku Reports
Attempt to Turn His Left
a Failure.


quarters, telegraphing Thursday, says
that on that day the Russians resumed
their activity in front Of the Japanese
left and that there has been constant
skirmishing along the fronts of both the
opposing forces, exchanges of heavy ar
tillery fire taking place. The Japanese
again charge the Russians with the mu-
tilation of their wounded. The report
says: According to reliable report. our
picket, consisting of an officer and %
men, were surrounded near Huangla-
shatzu July rs. Our picket resisted to the
last, and when most of them were
wounded surrendered. The enemy mu-
tilated all our wounded"
Russians Driven Back.
Gen. Okus Headquarters, Feb. 4. via.
Fusan.-The Russian forces opposite the
Japanese left wing are showing some &C
tivity. A Russian detachment attacked
Pekowtai (Heikoutai). but was driven
back, leaving 100 dead. A bombardment
of the entire left wing continues. Con-
siderable activity was manifested Thurs
day opposite Shengten and Letaiyetun,
pairing for another attack. They fred
occasionally salvos of artillery and vol
leys of musketry. The Japanese remain
in their trenches and do not answer the
Russian fire.
Russians Retire Across Hun.
The extreme Japanese left holds line
along the Hun river with its extreme
left established on the right bank. The
main body Of. the Russians after their
defeat at Heiyoutai retired across the
Hun river and occupied Niuyupao. Shu-
fangtai and a portion Of ChangtanA On
Wednesday the Russians began con-
structing defensive works in the neigh
borhood of shufangtai, Chungchiawo-
peng and Changtan. Russian cavalry
patrols were seen Wednesday along the
line OF Tzuyuto, Pinpaotzu and Yuhpao-
tazu. The Russians made series OF
small attacks on the right army and
the left flank of the left army, but were
repulsed in each instance.
Attempt to Turn Flank Fails.
Gen. oku's Headquarters, via T1en'
tsin, Feb. delayed in transmission)
1.-The Russian attempt to turn Cen
Oku's left flank has proved complies
failure. Following on the failure of tht
recent cavalry raid down the railway
this, it is thought by the Japanese, will
probably induce the Russians to await
in the future the Japanese attacks. TIL
attempt, even with the bombardmepl
Of other portions of the line or q cav
airy. movement around the flank, VA
doomed to failure from the start. TIL,
Japanese were at Heikoutai, but with
drew their small force from there and 81
lowed the Russians to occupy the po
sition until they could move owe,
enough men to make its recapture go
tain.
| The reoccupation of this position va
easily accomplished, although the losl
was heavy. The casualties have no
yet been reported, but it is believed tina
they will amount to fully $1,000 Tn,
Russians had five divisions engaged .
Hedkoutai, and in that direction. The,
were driven back by less than two jap
anese divisions.
Over 100000 men were engaged In "a
Russian demonstration against the jap
anese positions Immediately east o
Heikoutai, force strong enough d
have been successful, as only about on
; japanese division was sent agains
them. The Russian loss is estimated q
over 1000, although prisoners say tina
one regiment was practically annihi
lated. The Japanese loss is only place,
at 200, due to the fact that they re-
manned in their trenches while the Rus
slams were forced to cross open ground
soltdly frozen, where the constructio,
} OF shelter trenches was impossible
The ground, being covered with snow
was naturally great disadvantage t
the attacking force, as 1t was plainl,
visible against the white backgroun,
for a long distance. The Japanese sui
fered the same disadvantages in the re
capture Of Heikoutai. The weathe
was very cold during the fighting, tn
minimum being six degrees below GER
and the maximum IA degrees above zero
The Russians did not retreat north. bu
retired well out Of range, with no sig
. OF further activity. During the light
ing the left wing Of the japanese wa
, heavily bombarded from the Russia,
positions along the whole front. Th
Japanese made onlya feeble reply. :
Music to please every one Frida
night.