Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-10-31
RevoIutionists Routed
BY Trained ImperialS

Hu, Oct. 30)--The imperial forces are pre-
pairing to follow up their victory over
the rebels last week by an attack on
vi Guar, which the revoludonists
have protected by elaborate emergency
fortificationF and Han Yang. which is
regarded as Of the utmost Importance
on account Of the arsenal there.
The loyalists are now in undisputed
possession OF the entire city OF Hankow.
Their position here is advantageous for
a sudden attack against the arsenal ana
Han Yang,
A. II. Kepler, the American mission
airy, rho was wounded In Fridays
fighting, is in a serious condition He
was watching the fighting from tie top
OF building in the Japanese conces-
sions when he was hit by stray bullet
Fridays battle at Kilomater Ten. was
splendid exhibition OF gameness and
pluck on the part Of the rebel forces.
although they were outnumbered two 70
one by the trained forces OF imperialists
In front OF them and were subjected
from the flank to a raking cross-fire
from Admiral Sah's war ship. they hell
their ground until near 500 had been
killed and 1900 wounded.
GOOD MILITARY TRAINING.
The advance of the royalists was n
splendid justification OF the trainins
which these northern troops have re-
ceived recently under European instruc-
tors. Ten thousand strong, they cross
ed into the rebel territory during the
night and attacked the entrenched rev.
olutionary forces at daybreak Friday
morning.
There were about 5000 OF the rebel
troops These were behind well plan
ned Notifications and had little to fear
from the attack of the troops II was
the guns OF Admiral Sah's fleet which
finally routed them
Sah's eight vessels approached the
rebel positions soon after the advance
OF the imperial troops began, but did
not fire any shots. After a little while
the eight ships silently retired as IL
they had decided not 10 participate In
the engagement. Later they returned,
this time ready for business. The range
was short and the gunners merciless;y
poured in their shells on the rear of the
rebels position. The slaughter was ap-
palling. The rebels batteries replied
intellectually and were finally ST.
fenced -v
CHARGED INTRENCHMENTs.
| The loyslists. whose losses had been
slight, advanced on the abandoned
trenches in splendid order under cover
of the batteries. captured Is field guns
and took 50 republican prisoners.
But the rebels were not yet satisfied.
They returned 10 the fray in Nthe after
noon. bringing reinforcements, fresh fit
guns and Maxims.
They advanced at double quick, cheer
ing like eager school boys. They at
tackled the loyalists vigorously but the
fight was one-sided The trained i'm
in front of them with their rapid fir,
guns and modern rifles. The rebels held
their ground gameiy. but were ultimate
" compelled to withdraw.
They saved their field guns and carried
of their wounded. Admiral ( n and his
ships did not participate in the afternoon
engagement.
During the retreat through Hankow.
many stray shots found their way into
the foreign concessions. One Chinaman
was killed IN the French concession and
the American. Kepler. was seriously
wounded.
The Red Cross hospitals here are pack
ed today with wounded.
ROYAL LOSSES ARE HEAVY.
A visit TO Siaokan after the Aghting re-
veaIed the fact that the losses of the
loyalists for a week past have been I'M
derestimated. A correspondent saw three
carloads OF dead. The correspondent saw
the minister Of war. General Yin Tchang,
and learned that 1900 northern troops
were camped close to Hankow. Others
are scattered along the railway.
Four hundred imperial soldiers recruited
from Holman province were found after
the battle to have purchased strips of
white cloth suitable for arm bands SIM
liar to those worn by the rebels, TO show
their allegiance to the republican cause
These soldiers. even including some who
were seriously wounded, were hurriedly
sent away, their officers apparently fear
ing a spread Of the disaffection.