Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-01-31
JAPS REFUSED
BY KUROPATK|N
RUSSIAN FORCES VICTORIOUS I'M
RECENT FIGHTING.
IMPORTANT POINTS TAKEN

Failure Of Japanese Attempt to Drive
Back the Right Wing Of the
Russian Army in Man
st. Petersburg, Jan. 28.-Gen. Kuro-
patkln reports that Russian troops, At
seven p, M, on January 26, after q
desperate fight, occupied the village Of
Sandepas, which had been strongly for
titled by the Japanese.
Gen. Kuropatkin telegraphed as fol-
lows to Emperor Nicholas: THE ad-
vance has commenced of our right
flank against the enemy. We have oc-
cupied Khailatosa and Kheigoutaya.
From later reports it appears that in
capturing these positions we made
prisoners of 100 Japanese. We also
occupied the village of Weheitaitse, on
the Hun river, losing so men.
"On January 26 our troops contin-
ued the offensive against Sandepas.
The Japanese attacked our position
near the village from the south and
southeast, but were repulsed. Our
cavalry participated, maneuvering
against the left flank and attacked tho
Japanese in the rear. Our forces then
attacked Sandepas and at seven p. NJ.
after desperate fight, with the as
sistance of sappers, we surmounted the
strong entertainments and occupied the
large village. Same day our troops oc-
cupied the enemy's entertainments at
Shakhe and repulsed Japanese at
tempts to retake them"
Japs Resume Activity.
Russian Headquarters, Huan Noun
tain, Manchuria, Jan. 2S.-After three
months of quietude the Japanese have
resumed activity, attempted to force
back the Russian right wing A stub-
born fight began Wednesday and con-
tinued Thursday, which may be cur
tain raiser for the spring campaign.
According to report, the Japanese at
tack was repulsed and Russian coun-
ter attack was so energetically pressed
that village within the former Japan
ese lines of some strategical impor-
lance was taken. 1t is rumored that
several Japanese guns were taken.
There was no fighting at the center
or on the left flank. The Japanese cd.
vance is believed to have been In
spired in part by the news of the Rus
sian internal troubles. intelligence Of
which reached the Russian army at
dawn January %.
Following sudden return Of winter
weather cannon began booming far
westward, and through the morning
fog and mist the Japanese unexpected
ly advanced. The riflemen on the Rus
sian right flank were so vigorously en-
ployed in the fighting line that by
evening they had met the Japanese ats
tack by q brilliant counter attack. The
japanese at once began to retire,
abandoning and setting fire to q VII
lage.
Throughout Wednesday night and
all Thursday firing was heard along
the line toward the Hun river, in the
vicinity of the villages of Heksutail
and Liudiutun, IN the center the Japan
csc firing occasional shots to get the
range of the Russian positions.
4 The troops all along the line were
under arms the night Of January IS.
The skies were lit up by the
glare of a conflagration, evidently
caused by the burning of village be-
yond the Shakhe river, south Of Pou-
tiloff hill.
Expected HeIp rrom Nogi.
Huanchan, Jan. 2S.-On Thursday the
Japanese began moving against the Rus
sian right, attacking viciously Russian
positions along the Hun river where that
stream bends southwark. Inside the
Russian lines the belief existed that
Gen. Nogi's army, arrived from Port Ar
thur, was in, reserve, supporting, the
movement. The Russians not only beat
off the attack, after severe fighting, but
advanced in the evening to the line OF
Hugoudi and Hounlitadzy. Throughout
the night, and on Friday, the artillery
was at work, the carfnonading constants
ly increasing in strength and extending
further along the center, becoming
fercer every minute.
Fought in a Blizzard.
Gen. Kuroki's Headquarters, Jan. g.
via Fusan. = Regular Manchuriap
. weather prevails, intense cold, with cut
ting winds and swirls Of snow. Sounds
of battle were heard at intervals along
the entire front Friday morning. The
Russian artillery was feeling the whole
japanese line. 1t is uncertain whether
this will bring on general engagement
or not. The Japanese guns refrained
from replying to the Russians, except OF
the left, where the fighting, which ceased
at dark Thursday was renewed Friday
morning. The clouds and snow made ii
impossible to see more than few hun.
dred feet away. The Russian gunnsry
fire was largely guesswork. Early in ths
afternoon the firing stopped. If the Rus.
sian operations were preliminary to ,
general attack, as appears possible, theil
plans were frustrated by the storm and
: fog. They could not have chosen worse
time. The hardships Of the soldiers
4 camping on the plains, where there is NJ
shelter or fuel, and but little water, art
the worst yet encountered in the war.