Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1904 — PROGRESS OF THE WAR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

So far as is known General Kouropatkln has been on the defensive since the 16th and 17th of July, when he sent about 20,000 men under General Keller to Motien pass to develop the | Japanese strength at that point. It ) was found to be greater than had been looked for. Although the Russians surprised the Jap outposts and fought gallantly for a day they were compelled to fall back with an admitted loss of over 1,000. It was learned that a powerful Japanese army was massed near Motien pass, threatening Llaoyang, but a high price was paid for the information. Little was heard from General Oku’s army during the week. The Russians report that their outposts south of Tatcheklao and those of uie Japanese are less than four miles apart and that constant skirmishing is kept np. On the 19th reinforcements which General Oku is said to have been waiting for were disembarked at Yinkow under the protection of Japanese cruisers. The Dew troops will make good his losses due to fighting and 9 to sickness. Reports from Newchwang, which may or may not be trustworthy, are to the effect that on the 20th General Oku continued his frontal movement, although delayed by heavy rain While General Oku has remained near Tatcheklao, menacing the Russian right and ready to follow it swiftly if It should fall back toward the north, General Kurokl has been extremely active at the other end of the long Russian line. On the 18th, the day after General Keller fell back from Motien pass, General Kurokl took the offensive and set out to capture Kiatoung on the Ohl River, northwest of the pass and east of Anplng. After two days’ fighting the Russian were driven back and the Japanese occupied Kl&otung. They put their loss at fifty-four killed and 369 wounded and that of the Russians at a much higher

figure. No detailed Russian reports of the fighting have been received. There are rumors at St. Petersburg that General Ivurokl has turned the Russian left flank and captured Liaoyang. The rumors are hardly credible. Another story Is that General Kurokl has reached a point only a few miles east of a station on the railroad between Llaoyang and Mukden. That is doubtful. But it Is certain that he has secured much better strategic lines for his advance in the direction of the railroad. General Rennenkampff’s Cossack army lies to his north and •ast, but he probably has men enough to take care of It The Rurlk, Rossla, and Gromobol of the Vladivostok squadron—the Bogatyr apparently has been too badly injured to make It safe to take It along—left port last week and resumed the task of worrying their adversaries. With great contempt for Admiral Kamlmura, who seems to bo fated not to meet them, they dashed boldly through the Tsugaru strait, which divides the islands of Yezo and Nippon, and went out on the open Pacific. Then they turned to the south and have been sighted at different points off the east coast of Japan. They were last seen from a point west of Yokohama and were then heading south. There are many surmises as to the Intentions of the squadron. It may be on Its way to Formosa to destroy what shipping is In its ports. It may be heading for the neutral port of Saigon In French China, or be on the road to tiie Red Sea to take the place of the volunteer fleet Another conjecture la that It Is looking out for American vessels bound for Yokohama with supplies for the Japanese army. No trustworthy news haa come from Port Arthur for over a week. The Japanese are silent and it Is becoming difficult for the besieged Russians to let the outer world know how they fare.

Newchwang was evacuated by ths Russians, following two days’ fighting in (ho vicinity, In which the Japanese scored at least on* victory, ths Rosalan loss being 700, according to a report. An agreeable person is one whe talks to you about yourself.

MAP SHOWING THE THEATER OF WAR.