JAPAN AND RUSSIA

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXII, Issue 13575, 22 October 1904, Page 7

JAPAN AND RUSSIA

THE RUSSIAN RETREAT. DETAILS OF RECENT FIGHTING. THE BALTIC FLEET. EXPECTED FALL OF PORT ARTHUR. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, October 20. General Sakharoff reports that Captain Demboveki. with a detachment of volunteer Chasseurs, boldly reconnoitred in the night in the vicinity of Shaho-po, and captured two field pieces without fighting. A correspondent declares that captured maps show that all the Russian retreats were prearranged. Some of General Oku’fi cavalry crossed the Hun and prevented the Russians from flanking. ' Marshal Drama reports that the Russian, lines fronting General Kuroki are all diminishing. Those in front of General Nodzu, on the night of October 17, tried several attacks, but were repulsed, and only an artillery duel was maintained. ; On October 18 the enemy in front of General Oku occasionally sent an indirect fire. The enemy stopped within six hundred to one thousand yards and axe now entrenching. RUSSIANS ENTRENCHING. EXTENSION OP THE JAPANESE LEFT. THE DEADLY MACHINE GUN. RUSSIAN BATTALION ANNIHILATED. THE BALTIC FLEET. EXHAUSTED TROOPS. LONDON, October 20. The Russians General Oku’e left wing are entrenching a line from Mengtapau, thirteen miles south-west of Shaho-po, to Sankiatze and Hangkaitai. A considerable extension of Marshal Oyama’s left is thus idicated. The “Standard’s” correspondent with General Kuroki states that a Russian battalion was almost annihilated while returning across the Taitse on. a pontoon bridge. The Japanese cavalry overtook the battalion and got machine guns in position and swept the bridge from end to end. This is the first time in the war that machine guns have been used decisively. The Baltic fleet has passed through the Cattogat. The lull at the Shaho is due to the physical exhaustion of the troops, and also to the Japanese awaiting supplies and ammunition. The Japanese line is fifteen mike further north than at the outset of the battle. THE RAINY SEASON, DELAY OF OPERATIONS. OKU’S CASUALTIES AT THE SHAHO. LONDON, October 20. The Japanese slowness and failure to cut off the retreat of the Russians are largely due to the rains, the difficult ravines and the gullies. The weather is now cold and clear, and the roads are drying. It is estimated that General Oku’s casualties at the Shaho were 5000. YAM ADA’S DETACHMENT. ITS ESCAPE TO THE NORTH-EAST. THE JAPANESE DIET. LONDON, October 20. The detachment reported to have been enveloped across the Taitse early in the battle, escaped by retreating to the northeast. The Japanese Diet has been convened for November 28. THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR. THE EXPECTED FALL. NEW YORK, October 20. The St Petersburg correspondent of the “New York Herald” says that Port Arthur is expected to fall in a fortnight. RUSSIAN REINFORCEMENTS. HAND TO HAND FIGHTING. (Received October 21, 10.36 p.m.) LONDON, October 21.. Advices received at Tokio state that General Kuropatkin’s reinforcements amount to 30,000. Six divisions confront General Oku, including the 17th corps, a large portion of the 10th corps and portions of the recently arrived sth and 6fch Siberians. General Oku’s captures near Langtzuchian comprised 5344 ridges, 4820 shells, quantities of tents, clothing and swords, and eix ammunition carts. General Nodzu reports that the casualties of his forces, in addition to those already stated, are 12 officers killed and 30 wounded. The principal Russian casualties were in the counter attacks. Each captured a village. Many parties were entirely annihilated. This was the first time the Russians had met the Japanese on an equality, not depending on strong defensive positions, and attacked the Japanese trenches. They fought bravely, but were unable to expel the Japanese or withstand the fierce charges. They almost invariably retired. They then repeatedly attempted to recapture the positions. The majority of those who fought Gene-

ral Oku had newly arrived, while the Japanese were the same as at Liaoyang. THE DEFENCES OF PORT ARTHUR. '• a THE SIBERIAN RAILWAY. (Received October 22, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, October 21. Advices from Ghefoo state that' the Japanese have captured the railway bridge and the heights near and within five hundred yards of Erlungshan, curtailing the Russian fire, which impeded the approach to the slojm of the trenches of Erlungshan. The Czar has issued a decree for the doubling of the Trans-Siberian Railway. A Russian officer reports that forty men belonging to General Kuroki’s force, with several officers, were surrounded in a hut and summoned to surrender, but committed suicide, with the exception of fire, who