The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-18

temporarily drove the imperial troops
back from their position but in doing
SO they exhausted their rife ammuni-
ton and were compelled to retire or
their base at WI Chang.
The revolutionists with infantry and
artillery attacked the government
troops. which were reinforced from the
Chinese warships in the river and SUI
ported by the guns of the fleet. While
the fighting was in progress the Is
foreign vessels in the river landed a
joint force under command of Vice Ad-
miraI Sir Alfred L. Winsloe. comman-
der of the British eastern fleet, whD
because of his seniority has been given
the direction of the men engaged in
the protection of the foreign conces-
slons.
The Red Cross neutral camp in charge
of DR.. MacWillie of the American mis-
sion. received and cared for the rebel
wounded
Forces We're Equal
About 1000 revolutionlsts were pitted
against an equal number of loyal SOL
diers. and it was Il fair fight. Early
report that the rebels cutnumbered the
enemy to 1 were incorrect. Only .
part of the revolutionary army partici-
pared and they are claiming that they
would have routed completely the or
diers from the north if their ammunl-
ton had held out. This evening the
imperial troops are waiting reinforce
ments while The revolutiOnists are re-
plsnishilg their supplies.
a renewal OF hCstilities may take
place soons as it appears to be the
plan of the rebel leaders to force the
fighting before the imperial troops have
been further strengthened. The latter
had intended to delay an attack IN
WI Chang until their numbers were
sufficient TO make 4 victory probable
and 1t had been runored that there
would DE no battle before next Satur-
day. The rebels, who occupy WI
Chang. Hangkow and Han Yang. We're
alive to the government purpose and
during last night 1900 men crossed the
\ ang TIE kiang river from Wa Chang
and at daybreak they fell on the i'm
perial camp. They attacked with dash
and the government troops taken san9e-
what al 4 disadvantage responded 10y
ally. The fighting was severe but it II
impossible TO estimate the casualties.
as the correspondents were n0t permit
ted near the firing line. and those who
witnessed the battle from the river we've
free on.
Fire on Warships
At the first sound of firing Admiral
sab Chen Ping. in command of the
Calnese warships ordered men landed
70 support General Chang Piao form
efiy commander of the troOnS of the
WI Chang district. who had assumed
command Of The Imperial troops. The
rebels had anticipated this move ~
the fleet and directed a hot fire on the
W'rshlps and the landing parties from
the Wu Chang bank of the river. Ad
mlral Sab in turn ordered the .varshif 8
to fire on the rebel field pieces and fo~
time shells fell thick and fast among
the rebel gunners. The warsbip Of
Ilcers' however. We're seriously handi-
capped by the danger to the foraiern
concessions involved in their fire. Two
foreign newspaper correspondents mar
rowly escaped with their lives Thav
hau been cruising on the river in ~
pIectation Of the battle and their launch
hau reached point opposite the I'M
perIal camp when the hostilities began
PRESENTLY they found their little cra r
alongside Admiral Sah's flaeshin ana
between the fire OF the two forces
Two Reporters Under Fire
From that spot the corresnonda,+.
Witnessed the fighting until Ad,7,5-',I !
san. observing the danger of tbsi-
position ordered them out of the fir
iAS me The launch and its crew