THE RUSSIAN DEFEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2622, 15 June 1904, Page 30

THE RUSSIAN DEFEAT.

After innumerable .skirmishes: with the outposts of the Russian army in Korea they have succeeded in cronsing the Yalu River and inflicting a severe deft at on tho Russian army. For some considerable time past the Japanese have been massing their army in the neighborrliood of Yongampho and Wiju, and. although il i^ impossible to state the exact numbi.a, it in certain thaL j an enormous army had been distributed along the left bank of the Yalu for about five miles. The Russians f were entrenched at Kiu-lieji-cheng (a walled town a few milod north of Antung), ajr Wiju, and at Antung, and their front evfretided for about four milos along tho right bank of the rher. Antung, where tho Ru=siai!.=: wore entrenched, is the farthest par!- to wlach steamers can go, but native craft can proceed much higher u}> the ri\er. Suite the last of the Russians were driven from Wiju across the river the Japane o have been busily preparing to erect bridges and pontoons with which to crc-^s the stream. From about April 20 to April 26 the Japanese continued their preparations,, but a forward move was made on the latter date. Many of the small islands in the Yalu were siill in the possession of the Russians, and General Eluroki decided to clear them out before the Japanese commenced the advance. The- Twelfth (Kokura Kinshu) Division of the Japanese prmy occupied the right of the line, the Second (Sendai) Division were in the centre, while the lefo wing was composed of a naval detachment under Rear-admiral Hosoya. In addition, two torpedo-boats, the Maya and Uji, patrolled the river. The Japanese Imperial Guards and Second Division were entrusted v/iih the work of clearing; Iho Ri.r-si&ns from the islets, and, after a brief engagement, they drove the Ilrscovitcs out and occupied their position. The total casualties on the Japanese side were 25 (nine dead), while the Russian loss is unknown. The Russians retired towar'do Kiu-lieu-cheng, and kept up an intermittent fire on the Japanese position for iuo o'st'S. The river of the Japanese surprised a small body of Russians at a little town called Antzushan, and opened fire on them, clearing them out. The crossing of the river by the Japanese \vas carried out on Apiil>29 and April 30, and almost immediately they began to engage the Russians. For several hours the

' fight was hot. The aim of the Russiar artillery was inferior to that of the Japan ese, and finally the Japanese were success ful in silencing their guns. J On tho early morning of May 1 th( general advance of the Japanese com ' menccd. The enemy's artillery on the hil I overlooking Antung was /silenced, and the Japanese entered the town. Tho advance was made along the Liao-yang road towards Kiu-licn cheng, and the rjapaneso Imperia Guards succeeded in almost surrounding "the Russian". From three sides the Japanese ' attacked, and after a severe and stubborr. ,' battle tho Muscovites fled towards Feng ' hwang-ehenp. The Russians engagec ' included the 22nd. 23rd, and 24th Infantrj ' Regiments of Eastern Siberian S&arp ' shooters, General Mischenko's Cavalrj Brigade, and about 40 guns and eighi machine guns. j The Japanese captured about 4-0 guns and a largo nuinbor oi rifles, as well as a . quantity of ammunition. W T hen the Rusi sans were, driven from their trenches the Japanese marched on to Kiu-lien-cheng, and j captured the town. The losses on the Japanese sic'o arc estimated at about 700, I while the Russian loss is given at 2000 men ' and 17 officers. ! The defeat of tho Russians at the Yalu , River, and their subsequent withdrawal to 1 I'cng-hwang-cheng, is generally put down to i the ineffectiveness of their artillery fire. ; The Japanese artillery was very effective, j and they succeeded in silencing all the Rusj sian guns which overlooked the Yalu, thus opening the way for the general advance. Later reports that come in with reference to the battle state that the Russians, although outnumbered and surrounded, fought valiantly. One regiment, after standing their ground for a couple of hours, cut their way through the opposing hordes cf Japanese, and saved their colours, leaving behind them some 2000 dead and wounded. Twj companies of Russian artillery, after almost being annihilated, raised the wMte flag, and 330 prisoners were taken, including 31 officers. The Japanese mounted scouts were thrown out in open order to scour the country surrounding Kiu-lien-cheng, and advanced to the vicinity of Feng-hwang-cheng. Here they fell in with a body of Russians, and a hand-to-hand encounter took place, resulting in the Russians again being defeated. From Chinese sources comes a report that 2000 Russians, who were posted on a hill east of Feng-liwaiig-cheng-, fired on the retreating Russians, killing 70 and wounding 100 before the mistake was noticed.