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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Herald, 1904-05-13, Page 2DAPS INFLFCT E, E SE tI \; SEVE E USSIAN TROOPS. The Russians Were Surrounded on Three Sides by Enemy And Made a Clumsy Retreat Suf- fering Great Loss. London cable received from any source showing the Russian or Japanese movements since the events described in the Japanese despatches, which. are, themselves fuller than any of the independent stories coating from Tokio. No correspondent :with the Japanese army has been able •to furnish an account of the operations •and reports from the Russian side ate very meagre, consisting practically of nothing but fragments issued officially at St. Petersburg. There is thus no 'means of forming a definite conclusion • whether the Russian retreat is part of 'a pre -arranged plan. It is obvious that if the retirement was intended it was Clumsily carried out, while in view of the comparative severity of the fight- ing and the Prussian losses in artillery, the opinion grows that the Russian re- dsistance was intended seriously, and broke down. Nothing further is beard about the 'landing of another Japanese division at Takushan or elsewhere on the Man- churian coast, but the Shanghai correspondent of the Morning Post re- ports that all the Russian troops sta- tioned at Chang -Chu, - u -Chan,- Hai- . Cheng and Kai -Ping have been de- spatched to the sea coast, fearing a Japanese landing, which the Russians expect hourly. The Post's military critic thinks the report points to the proba- bility of the Japanese lauding near Kai -Ping, where the shoals are less formidable than at the other mooted points, while the question of Chinese neutrality could not be raised. Kai -Ping is on the Liao -Tung Gulf, about 30 miles south of New-Chwang, on the railway to Port Arthur.. • says ---Nothing has been r bombarding the enemy. While they were returning the enemy's artillery suddenly attacked the torpedo boats, The latter silenced the enemy after a severe engagement lasting thirty min- utes, and the flotilla all returned to Yon- gamplio. There were no casualties. "Our armed launchep reached An- tung the same morning and repulsed the enemy's infantry and artillery after thirty nninntes of sharp lighting. Fire was seen rising from the town, and a native say; that the enemy fled from Antung after setting the to it." ON TO FENG-WANG-CHANG. RETREAT FROM ANTUNG. Details of the Capture of the Russian Guns. Tokio cable says—Later details of Sun- day's action on the Yalu River show that after the Japanese carried the line of hills from Chiu -Tien -Chang to Yoshoko, on the right bank of the Ilio, the Russians made another stand on a hill northwest of Chiu -Tien -Chang. This was the second of the two stands mentioned by Gen. Kuroki, the Japan- ese commander, in his report of the en- gagement. The Russians held this hill nutil 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when their retreat began. By 0 o'clock in the evening the Japanese held a line from Antung northwest to Laukuku, and thence northeasterly to Lislmlu, on the first westerly bend of the Ilio. The point at which the Japanese sur- rounded the Russians on three sides was Ilamatarr. The fighting was sharp and at short range. It was here that the guns, ammunition, etc., were cap- tured. The Russian officer who was captured says that the Japanese artillery fire on Saturday and Sunday had tremendous effect. Gen. Kuroki's headquarters staff en- tered Chiu -Tien -Chang at 5.30 in the evening. FIGHTING WAS SEVERE. Another Big Battle Likely in the Next Few Days. London cable — Baron Hayashi, the Japanese Minister here, said to -day: kis success will probably be a movement on Feng-Wang-Cheng' which the Chinese have fortified with their usual brick structures. Since the commencement of the war the Russians doubtless have added earthworks, but their loss of guns yesterday must seriously diminish their defensive strength. "I understand. that Russia had only 100 guns in Manchuria. if that is the ease, her artillery strength has been• diminished almost one-third. 'They fight well, those Russians, and Feng -Wang -Chang will not be taken without a Bard struggle, unless Gen, Kouropatkin again changes his plan of campaign. The announcement that the Russians would not contest the crossing of the Yaln has proved, as we thought, to be misleading. Thirty thousand men is far too large a body for any general to face the enemy with if it were merely intended to hamper his movements. Kou- ropatkin evidently meant to lake a de- termined resistance, but fie either unde' - estimated our strength or disposed. his forces in the belief that'we would not venture a frontal attack. "I take it from the despatches receiv- ed that we have now practically secured control of both banks of the Valu. In consequence, our base will probably be moved to Antung. "To be perfectly frank, I must say I expected yesterday's engagement would be more decisive, especially in view of the large amount of Russian troops op- posed to us. lts siguificance must large- ly depend upon our ability to pursue the enemy" Reviewing tie whole future of the struggle that has just commenced in such deadly earnest on land, Baron Il.ay- ashi said: "The duration of the war must lie rather with Russia than with Japan. For the moment the military advantage is with us, for Kouronatkin has extend- ed his front and ae can strike -where and when we will. Our aggressive move- ment may be carried on to .11ukd.cn, per- haps to Harbin, or further, but before long there must come a stage of the campaign where Russia will assume the role of the invading power, and where we must net solely on the defensive. From the beginning it has been so, and our aggression is and has been hut .11 means towards the eventual repulsion of an invading army. "Gen. I aroi i himself probably cannot say at this moment at exactly what point our aggression will be changed into the defensive. Kouropat-kiu, so I believe, says he will not undertake to drive us back until he has 300,000 men ready to take the field. 1 think that at least five per cent, of that force will die froni sickness, so that to keep his force at the maximum required Kouropatkin will always have to be transporting 15,- 000 men from St. Petersburg—no small task. "This year's harvest in Manchuria. I learn, promises to be bad. A million Russians there, in addition to the army, must be fed. We have, or shall have, ciosed every sotu•ce of food supply ex- cept by the Siberian Railroad. Even with double tracks and no men or munitions of war to transport, the problem of feed- ing the Russian population and army now in Manchuria, would be in itself in- tensely serious. but with a single track road, -which -is Rnssie,'s Only vital sinew, it seems almost impossible, and famine appears inevitable. Japanese Official Story of the Engage- ment. Tokio cable says—The following official statement has been issued: "Gen. Kuroki, commanding the first army, reports from Chiu -Tien -Chang that on May 1st the second and twelfth divisions and the Imperial Guards, forming the first army corps, advanced, '.notwithstanding stout resistance on the part of t.be enemy, by three roads, ; driving the enemy before them, and at 8 o'clock p. m., occupied a line ex- tending from ,Antung to Liu -Shu -Kon. The Imperial Guards surrounded the • enemy on three sides, and after a severe fight, captured twenty guns, with horses and carriages, and more than twenty officers and many men. The general reserve corps advanced by the Liao -Yang road. The enemy wos eom- posed of the whole third. division, and the 22nc1 and 24th Regiments of the iSixth Infantry Division of sharp- shooters and Gen. Mischenlo's cavalry brigade, with about forty guns and eight machine guns. The enemy fled toward Zeng -ling-Chung. Our case- - alties will not exceed at most 700. Twenty-eight quick -flying guns and "To help us sit down and -wait all the contingencies we are working day and night on the Corean Railroad, and by October the unfinished portions of the road between Fenn and Seoul will be completed and a 311V line front Seoul to Wijn .will also be ready. Locomo- tives are corrin, 'frons the !United States, and as soon as these arrive we will have ilar'ge quantities of small arms and a strong and rapid Iine of. eormnunielt- `ammunition were captured. Our heavy tions through all Carer, whielt will al - field guns were very effective. A Rus - i sian officer .who was taken prisoner: says that both the commanders of the army corps • and thedivision were wounded and that the Russian casualties exceeded 800. "The Captain of the guuiboat Maya reports that a flotilla nonsisting of the most touch our owls mainland, and we will not be likely to suffer from want of supplies or reinforcements. "As regards Port Arthur and Vladi- vostock, the situation is somewhat dif- ferent. "I cannot say anything about the movements of our other armies that I gunboats Mayi and 1,ji and some tor- have been mobilized. but there is no iedo boats ascended the Yalu May 1, doubt that the Liao -Tung Peninsula will, iF any success attends our land forces, be eut, off from supplies. Neither Port Arthur nor Vladivostock can be taken from the sea front, but I think you will find .fort Arthur either taken by our land forces or starved out by September. The Chinese are smuggling provisions into Port .Arthur now frons Chefoo, but only to an immaterial extent, and that will soon cease. "Vice -Admiral Togo will doubtless re- main, on watch outside Port Arthur. By September, when the hurricane season comes, he should be able to safely house his fleet in a Japanese port. No fleet, Russian or Japanese, could be particu- larly effective then. 1 scarcely think Russia will send her 'lactic fleet to face our autumn hurricanes." Referring -to the long period which elapsed between the declaration of war and the land fighting, Minister Hayashi said: "The waiting which taxed the pa- tience of the rest of the world has been a busy and exciting time for us. Our troops ,have been cantinnally marching and working in au1tieinetion. of striking the blow which would initiate the cam- paign in Manchuria. The most unfortunate incident of the campaign up to date is Vice -Admiral Kamimura's misfortune in missing the Vladivostock fleet. It seems from here that it was a pity the Vice -Admiral diel not stay outside that port instead of trying to find the llussians in the open sea." OFFICIAL STORIES. Russians Minimize the Extent of the Defeat. St. Petersburg cable says—News has urging the Pekin Government to adopt a strong policy against Russian aggres- sion west of the Liao River. Gen. Ma, who is at Choo-Yang with fifteen battal- ions, will be instructed to keep a careful watch and be ready to advance east- ward. Everything points to China mak- ing . a military demonstration against either belligerent fighting west of the Liao River, Several hundred Russian cavalry are scouting `vest of Kaopantse. Should Russia carry her present domin- ating: policy across the Liao River she will invite hostilities with the Chin- ese troops. lee Tartar generals are already against the Russians, and they are being daily driven to desperation. It is considered that a general rising will become imminent should the Jap- anese land at New-Cbwang. A despatch to the Standard from Tien-Tsin says that Admiral Alexieff has sent a lengthy despatch to General Ma, the Chinese commander, through the Tartar general in Feng -Tien, stat- ing that it may be necessary for the Russians to increase their forces at Sin - Min -Ting and elsewhere, and request- ing that the Chinese troops and police be immediately withdrawn. Admiral Alexieff added that lie required an an- swer in three days. Yuan -Ship -Kai, Viceroy of Chili, and Commander -in -Chief of Chinese farces, has emend the various viceroys in Mon- golia to procure 2,000 horses for his troops immediately. The Admiral's Report. Tokio cable says—Vice-Admiral Kami- mura, who is in command of the Japanese squadron which has been operating recently against Vladivo- stock, has sent in a report from Gen- san, Corea, dated Sunday, in which he says that the impenetrable fog twice forced the abandonment of his attack on Vladivostock, and twice spared the Russian squadron a sea fight. While Kamimura was steaming north the first time he passed the Russian squadron bound south on the raid to Gensan, which resulted in the sinking of the Japanese steamer Goyo Mara and the transport Kinshiu Maru. been obtained rrom the general staff The Japanese and Russian squadrons of an outline of the operations on. the must have passed very close to each Yalu River during the past week. The Russian force, including the reserves, was composed of lien. Kashtalinsky's rifle division, (len. _ilistc'lt uko's Cos- sack outposts, and a brigade of artil- lery, the whole under (len. Sassulitch. The Russian lines were at Kulien- Chong (or l'ureti-('bong), opposite Wiju and Antung, both on the Feng -Wang - Cheng ang- Cheng road. A mile north of Kulien- Cheng lies the '.ilhige of Potietinsky, near a tributary or the Litzavena, five miles up which is Ching Gow. On the opposite bank of the tributary is the village of Litzavena. Opposite Potie- tinsky stands Mouse». with a domin- ating height. Still higher, on the right of the Yalu, is the village of Ambikhe, at the confluence of the Aipike. The whole course of the Yalu between AmbiLL. and :Antung is divided by is- lands, t,e largest, homalinda, facing Kuligu Cueng. saintlier lies between Ifoir'itan,1. and air:deign. The Japanese forces, the stall' i'olieves, approximated a hundred thonN.ind melt, of which four divisions, thirteen battalions and fifty- six guns, were in action.. The Japanese prepared for crossing the river by post- ing all their available guns (of which 1110 Russians say the Japanese had five times more than they) along the line facing Knlien-('hear.: and Antung, and also landed from their war ships 4.7 -inch guns. This array of artillery eventually made Kulien-Cheng unten- able. 1-ncler cover of powerful bat- teries north of Sincliagu, the Japanese crossed to lfousan, occupying the height. As the latter position would have enabled them to direct a raking fire ngainst the Russians at Knlien' Chen;, (len, 5ctssulitelt ordered it to be retaken Friday. This svas done, but on Saturday the ,Japanese, elder cover of a battery, reoccupied it. the defend- ers falling back across the Litzaven, and continuing the fight with the Japan- ese, who were attempting to flank them from Chin -Clow. The Russian force at Antung and Kulien-Chem had meanwhile retreated to its seemei ]me, a few miles west- ward. The whole Russian force en- gaged yesterday formed a semi -circle, the horns of which were being gradually drawn in. preparatory to retiring, to a position further west, This was the situation when the last Russian official report was sent. A member of the staff informed the correspondent that the Issas: ultimately turned probably upon -Whether • the order to withdraw was given at the proper time. A slight delay at a criti- cal nionient might have enabled the enemy's vastly superior artillery to concentrate mi the Russian guns, kill- ing horse and grunters and compelling the handonniont of the guns. But if so, the Russian plans will not be chang- ed by accidental losses. Gen. Sassu- l.itch will continue his retreat, con- testing stubbornly a possible Japanese advance along the Feng -Wang -Cheng road, which runs 'through a hilly coun- try, crowded with heights, and exactly suited to Russian tactics. Antung Made an Open Port. It is stated that Japau has intimated her readiness to allow Mr. James W. Davidson to take up Ids Consulship for the United States et Antung forthwith. It is believed here that Mr. Davidson will go to Antung as soon as China grants his exequatttt•, but it is not known how much of the town remains after the Russians set fire to it. CHINESE ATTITUDE. Alexieff Demands the Withdrawal of Gen. Ma's Troops. London cable —'The Shan -Hai -Kwan correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that an interview between Man- eherian officials and the chiefs of the Chnneheses near Sin -Min -Ting elicited facts tending to show that China's neu- trality is tottering owing to the yexa- tious •attituue. of the Russians toward the Manchus. The Tartan generals in the Provinces of Kirin and 'Fong -Ting are other, for the Japanese were conscious of the presence of the enemy. When Kamimura was compelled to suspend his attack upon Vladivostock he moved to the southward, and again passed the Russians on their way north after the Gensan raid. As soon as Iiamimura returned to the Corean coast he learned that the Kinshiu Maru was missing, and int - mediately returned to the north to search for and pursue it. He found three boats belonging to the Kinshiu IMlaru floating at sea. He then despatched some cruisers from his squadron and ordered thein to search certain inlets in the vicinity of Naniwa. These ves- sels destroyed some Russian mines at Izumi. The Japanese cruisers ex- ploded the mines. Vice _Admiral Iiamimiu'a closes his report by saying that, the continuance of the fog since Thursday has pre- vented a renewal of the attack. A Port Arthur correspondent reports that the repairs to the injured battle - shins have almost been completed. The protected cruiser • Pallada is out of dock, and work on the battleship Ret- vizan is advancing. The divers who hare been searching the wreck of the battieship Petropav- lovsk, in the hope of recovering the body of Vice -Admiral Makaroff, have practically abandoned their efforts. It ,is the subject of general renal k in 5t. Petersburg that the Japanese on crossing the Yalu adopted identically the tactics they followed during the Chinese -Japanese war, forcing the pas- sage at the exact place they did in 1803. BATTLE OF THE YALU. considered particularly unfortunate, even though they will be of no service to the., enemy on account of the removal of their: breech -locks, but members of the• general staff say that the science of war offers ,many instances where guns have. been sacrificed to allow infantry to re- treat in good order. • The official reports, were issued too late for comment in this morning's newspapers. THE PORT ARTHUR FIGHT. Great Bravery of the Japanese Cadets. qn the Fireships. Port Arthur cable says—The Japanese - attempt to block Port Arthur was be- gun a few minutes before 1 o'clock, and the first shots were fired, awakening the town with their thunderous noise. The gunboats lying at the mouth of the har- bor joined in the cannonade, the firing gradually increasing in volume until there was continuous crash of great guns. Just about dawn the bark of the. rapid-fire gums and the crackling of the- millailleuse were heard, from Golden. Hill. Occasionally there were sounds of explosions, as of nines going off. It was• the enemy's ships striking in Russian torpedoes. At this hour a magnificent sea picture was formed by the, soft light of the waning moon, the orange flashes of the guns, the signal rockets, and the. purple fires of the steel colored sea, which were alternately lighting up and going out. The fire ships were ten in number and of about 3,000 tons each. It is reported that two Japanese torpedo boats were sunk, the remainder with- drawing in a damaged condition. Eight of the fire ships were sunk, and very few of their crews were saved. Most of then were killed. In the morning many dead bodies were seen floating about outside the harbor. These were collect- ed by the Russians, who brought them ashore and buried them. The vigilance of the men in the watch towers and on the guard boats was astonishing. To their keen eyes was due to the prompt sighting of the enemy. The Japanese attacked brilliantly, without seeming to notice the murder- ous fire directed on them. The Russians captured two officers and thirty men. It is stated that the crews of the fire ships included a number of Japanese ca- dets, who showed extraordinary brav- ery, especially when the ships were sink- ing. Several of the crew stood at the mastheads firing revolvers, and then plunged into the sea. It is supposed that none of the cadets were saved. The attempt to close the mouth of the har- bor failed. BY LAND AND SEA. St. Petersburg, Electrified by the Sen- sational News. St. Petersburg cable says—St. Peters- burg is electrified by the sensational news of the fighting on the land and- sea. ndsea. From Gen. Kouropatkin, conveying Lieut. -Gen. Zassalitch's eame graphic details of the battle of Turen-Chen, as the combat on the banks of the Yalu is officially designated, which show the savage character of the fighting dis- played by the Russians in their effort to hold a position commanded by the Japanese fire, and their orderly retreat to Feng -Wang -Cheng, where they .are now entrenched. conducting en route a. brilliant rear guard engagement, in which they inflicted heavy loss on the enemy. Viceroy Alexieff's command of Port Arthur has been signalled by the repulse of another desperate atttempt by the Japanese to close the entrance- to ntrancoto the harbor, adding to this quota of war news. The general -staff docs not expect an immediate forward movement of the Japanese, but the latter is preparing a way for an advance. as is shown by the appearance of a cavalry detachment Russians Claim That It Was a Great to the southeast of Peng-Wang-Cheng. Victory for Them. The retirement of the detachment when sighted by a Russian force indicates. A St. Petersburg cable says that the simply that it was scouting its way to ;loom which prevailed. Here yesterday the next point, where. the resistance was almost completely dispelled this morning, when the people read the story of the glorious light made by Gen. Zassalitch's handful of rough regiments against the flower of. the Mikado's le- gions at the Yalu, and of the utter de- feat of Vice -Admiral Togo's new attempt to seal the entrance to Port Arthur. It is now plain that not more than 8,000 Russians were actually engaged in the fighting at the Yalu against the Japan- ese army of a total strength of between 30,000 and 40,000. The losses on both sides, whieh are expected to reach 1,000 and possibly 1.20a in the Russian force, and twice that nuultier for the Japanese, make it one of the bloodiest fights in his- tory. At the river crossing the Japanese dead lie piled nrp literally in heaps, and Gen. Keroki-s success was purchased at such a heavy cost that the Russiafis are disposed to regard it as rather a defeat than a victory for him. Gen. Keropatkin's despatch shows that, the Russians fought with suet bulldog tenacity and bravery against the over- whelntine superiority of the enemy that may be looked for. r1.'he Associated' Press is informed by the general stati that Major -Gen. Kashtalinsky is alive. and that Lieut. -Gen. Zassalitch was no` wounded, but that the colonels, lieuten ant -colonels and a majority of the com- pany commanders of the 110, 12th and 22nd regiments were either killed or wounded. It is evident that in order to weaken the resistance which will be offered Gen. Kuroki, the Japanese are preparing to• land on the west coast of the peninsula, at Biao Ting. So as to prevent the Rus- sian ships from getting out of Port .Ar- thur, in an attempt to attack the trans. ports, Vice -Admiral Togo is continuing• his efforts to block the harbor, and in.• order to insure the success of this plan the Japanese are employing a larger number of steamers than heretofore. Thee fact that the last one failed is attributed to the sharp look -out which was kept, and to the Russian preparations, for which Viceroy Alexieff receives consider- able credit. The Russian general staff' professes to be unconcerned regarding the latter's nominal victory was eclipsed the landing of a Japanese army on the by the prowess of the Czar's s soldiers. Liao Tung peninsula, as this has been Gen. I(tu'opatkin's report also serval anticipated. Gen. Kouropatkin le Pre- to restore Gee. Zessa]itch to public fa• pared for such an eventuality. but it is• vor. Those who were disposed to eriti-admittedthat the longer it is delayed dm him, even at the headquarters o' l the better it will be for the Russian the general staff where it is considered forces. Everything. therefore, will be that he made a tactical blunder, now clone to compel the Japanese to postpone• say that he redeemed himself by his gal- this enterprise as long as possible. lantry in action and the damage he in- flicted upon the enemy. About the bulletin boards were great crowds specially impressed with the des- perate bayonet charge of the eleventh. regiment. The men of the regiment ad- vancing against the enemy with bands and bugles bliainp and the priest with cross aloft at the head, appealed to the dramatic sense of the Russian popula- tion as nothing else could. The sur- vivors of this heroic regiment which cut its way out, declared that the position was surrounded by more than .0 thou- sand. dead Japanese. The loss of the guns, -vhieli according to the best in- formation obtainable, consisted of 22 field pieces and eight machine guns, is Comment on Canada's Loyalty. London, May' O. '.•.the Liverpool Daily Post, commenting on last nigli.t's Liverpool Chamber of Com- merce he -menet, sags Mr. George E. Drulnmond's eloquent spoeob Yeas full of the earnest loyalty that pervades Lane da from the Atlantic to the Pa- cific. ate. Drummond may root as- sured that, though some Englishmen are enthusiastically in favor of Mir. Chamberlain's proposals, and others are vehemently against then, therm - is only one feeling: in thy country?' svjaere Canada is concerned. , 1 -,