The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-31
HUMBLE APOLOGY
is MADE BY THRONE

Their position here ia advantageous
for a sudden attack on the arsenal at
Hanyang.
"A. H. Kepler, the American mission
airy who was wounded in fridays
lighting, Ia In serious condition. His
injuries are in the neck and arm. He
was watching the lighting from the
top or building In the Japanese con-
cesetons when he was hit 10Y a stray
bullet. Mr. Kepler is attached 70 the
Presbyterian Mission station at slang
tan.
Fridays battle ut Kilometerten was
splendid exhibition of gameness and
pluck on the part of the rebel forces
Although they were outnumbered two
to one by the trained force of i'm
perialfsts in front of them. ana were
subjected from the flank to n rnlsinn
cross-frc from Admiral Sah's ships
they held their ground until nearly
300 had been killed and 900 wounded
At last they were compelled to retire
Their ranks were broken. but there
was no panic.
Attack on Rebels.
The advance of the loyalists was n
splendid justification of the training
which these Northern troops have RE
ceiVed recently under European in
strLctors. Ten thousand strong, they
crossed into the rebel territory duri,t.
the night and attacked the intrercheJ
evolutionary FORCES at daybreaIt Fri
day morning.
troops. These Were behind weIl-pl,nncd
iortihcatlons. and had little 10 fcnr
from the attack of the troops II Nns
the guns of Admiral Sah's fleet which
Anally decided the day against them.
sans eight vessels approached the
reoei positions soon after the advance
OF the imperial troops began, but did
not fire any shots
Alter a little while the eight shjpE
silently retired as II they had decided
not to be participants in the engage.
ment. Later they returned, this time
READY tor business. The range was
short and the eunnery n,erciIessIv
poured in their shells upon the rear
OF the rebel positions. The slaughter
was appalling. The rebel batteries re-
piled ineffectually and finally were si
fenced. The gunboats drew still near
er and the rcvolutionists were com
PEELED to retire. The loyalists. whose
losses had been slight. advanced on
the abandoned trenches in splendid
order under cover OF the batteries
Capturing fifteen field guns and taking
nifty republican prisoners
Rcbcls Moved Down
But the rebels were not yet salts
hcd' they returned to the fray in
the afternoon. bringing endorsements
fresh neld guns and MaXims. They nd.
Eanced at double quick. cheering like
eagre schoolboys. They attacked the
io!a!ists vigorously, but the fight was
one-sided. The trained Imperial sol.
diers raked the armed rabble In front
OF them with their rapid-f guns and
modern rifles.
me rebels held their ground gamely.
out ultimately were compelled TO with
draw. They saved their field guns and
aIT a
and his ships did not participate in
the afternoon engagement. During
the night throughout Hankow many
STRAY shots found their way into tho
foreign concessions One Chinanan
was killed In the French concession
and the American. Kepler. was serious.
~ wounded. The Red Cross HOSPITALS
mere are packed to-day with the
wounded soldiers. and arrangements
made. 'S
Crew Ordered on Ship.
- ne Foreign Superintendent OF
'aphs Is leaving as he has been
unable TO reach an agreement with
the Republicans The foreign craw
OF the steamer kweilee. which the
reoels commanded. were ordered off
the vessel on their refusal 10 take
hcr TO Changsha- General Ii Yucn-
heng' in command OF the rebel army
"Hers TO spare the Manchus in King.
chowfu If they surrender A visit TO
slaokan after the fighting revealed tho
lact mat the losses OF the loyalists
Tor week past have been underesti-
mated. correspondent saw three
carloads OF dead. The correspondent
also saw the Minister OF War GEN
eral Yin Tchang. and learned that
1900 northern troops were canned
close to Hankow. Others are scat
tered along the railway. which Is
closely guarded.
Four hundred imperial soldiers re-