Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-18
REvoLUTioNlsrs TEMPORARILY
DRIVE IMPERIAL TROOPS BACK
FROM POSITIONS.
REBELS HAVE TO RETIRE,
AMMUNITION GIVES OUT
About 1000 Rsvolutionists Pittsd
Against Equal Number Of lmpsriais
In Fair Fisht-Latter Awaiting Re-
inforesments and Renewal Of Hoe.
tilities Imminent.


troops from the north was fought to-
day. on the north banks Of the Han
river, just west Of this city.
It was indecisive. The revolutionists
temporarily drove the imperial troops
back from their positions but in doing
30 they exhausted their rife ammuni-
tion and were compelled to retire upon
their base at wu-Chang.
The revolutionists, with infantry and
artillery. attacked the government
troops. which were reinforced from the
Chinese warships In the river and sup
ported by the guns Of the fleet.
While the fighting was in progress
the thirteen foreign vessels in the river
landed join, force. under command
Of Vice Admiral Sir Alfred L. Wins
low. commander Of the British eastern
fleet, who. because of his seniority. has
been given the direction Of the men
engaged in the protection of the foreign
concessions.
The Red Cross neutral camp. in
charge of Doctor Macwillie, Of the
American mission. received and cared
IOf the WOunOeO.
About 1000 revolutionists were pitted
against an equal number OF imperial
soldiers and 1t was fair fight.
Early reports that the rebels out
numbered the enemy nve to one were
incorrect.
This evening the imperial troops are
awaiting reinforcements while the reb-
els are replenishing their supplies. A
renewal Of hostilities may soon take
place.
Attacked With viser.
The rebels who occupied Wu Chang.
Hankow and Han Yang were alive to
government .pufposes, and dufipG last
might 1000 men crpssed the Yang Tse
Kiang river from Wu-Ehang and. at
daybreak they fell upon the imperial
camp. They attacked with dash and the
government troops were taken some
what at q disadvantage. but responded
loyalty. The fighting was severe but
it is impossible to estimate the casual
ties. as the correspondents were not
permitted near the firing lines and
those who witnessed the battle from
the river were fred upon.
At tho first sound Of firing Admiral
Sab Chen Ping. in command Of the
Chinese warships. ordered men landed
20 support General Chang Piao, for
merly commander Of the troops Of the
WI Chang district. who had assumed
command of the imperial troops. The
Sebels had anticipated this move by the
fleet and directed a hot flre upon the
warships and the landing parties from
the W.T. Chang bank Of the river.
Warships Participate.
Admiral Sab in turn ordered the
warships to fire upon the rebel field
pieces and for time shells fell thick
among the rebel gunners. The ships
officers, however, were handicapped by
the danger Of the foreign concessions
involved in their fire.
Two foreign newspaper correspond
ents narrowly escaped with their lives.
They had been cruising on the river In
expectation Of the battle and their
launch had reached point opposite
the imperial camp when the firing be-
gan. Presently they found their little
craft alongside Admiral .Sah's flagship
and between fire Of the two forces.
From that spot the correspondents
witnessed the nghting until Admiral
Sab. seeing their danger. ordered them
out Of the firing line. The launch and
Its crew withdrew and as they did 80
they were fired upon by men who had
been landed from the warships. Fortu-
nately comrades Of their assailants in
terfered. The shooting ceased and the
correspondents escaped unharmed.