THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2647, 7 December 1904, Page 29

THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.

THE VALUE OF 203 HILL. ATTEMPTS AT RECAPTURE REPULSED. DESPERATE FIGHTING AT PORT ARTHUR. JAPANESE GAINING GROUND. CAPTURE OF IMPORTANT HILLS. ST. PETERSBURG, December 1. The Czar has ordered Auiniral Birileff to form a third squadron, to sail in Apri for the Far East. December 4. The Prize Court has released) 5000 sacks of flour seized aboard the steamer Arabia, and has decided that the Vladivostock Court's decision regarding the sinking of the steamer was unjust. The German owners of the Thea. are claiming U839,000 damages. LONDON, November 28. Unconfirmed reports state that the Japanese- attacks on Port Arthur were a partial success. The rival sentries on the Sha-ho are occasionally within 40 yards of each other. Many tragi-comic amenities are reported. The 'Japanese live in earthen burrows or cornstalk shelters, and use charcoal fires. November 29. The Japanese siege guns are placed in a position . /culated to harass the enemy. The Japanese Government declines to permit- a special steamer to convey medicine and medical appliances to Port Arthur. If necessary they will send one themselves. The Daily Express's Tokio correspondent states that the attack on Port Arthur continues with unabated fury. It is understood General Nogi gives detaifif of the heavy fighting, and the Government's silence is interpreted to mean that victory is not as nearjis. was hoped. The Daily Maii says the authorities at St. Petersburg claim that the assaults on Porfc Arthur were brilliantly repulsed, \v7th -heavy Japanese losses. The Daily Telegraph says the storming of the north-eastern forts continues. The Japanese left is across the Hun-ho at Ma-ma-chien. Field-marshal Oyama reports a repulse of all cavalry attacks at this point, and of all infantry attacks elsewhere. The Russian gun fire is harmless. General Kourapatkin reports that the three- Japanese reconnaissances in force on tue centre are interpreted as possibly preparatory to a general engagement. General Kaulbars, commander of the third Russian army, has started for the Far East. There is some doubt- whether General Rennekainpf was killed or whether the figures refer to his losses. Latest news states that General Rennekampf occupies a position at Sin-han-chen, near Talne, and that he repulsed the Japanese after three days' fighting, but skirmishes continue. Prior to the purchase of the turbine destroyer Caroline a French firm inquired whether a Peruvian gunboat completing at Birkenhead was purchased. Negotiations were opened, and the agent proved to be a Russian, who made overtures to buy one or two swift liners. The price asked Stopped the transaction. The same agent inspected and inquired about warships completing on the Tyne, and then proceeded to London. , Reuter's Tokio agent reports that the Japanese captured a hill 203 metres high (about 643 ft), commanding the Jiarbour, during a night attack. Ninety per cent, of Port Arthur has been captured. General Sakaharoff reports that a blinding snowstorm suspend)^ an attack at Sin-han-chen, though the Japanese were within ' 600 paces of the Russian position. The turning movement was subsequently checked. Advices from Mukden state that many of General Kuroki's reinforcements are raw recruits. The garrisons at Taku-shan, Feng-hwang-cheng, Ying-kow, and portion of that at Liao-yang have been replaced by less efficient troops. Japan's main efforts aTe directed against i Port Arthur. I The Times says that Japan has gained \ far more than Russia through the willingness of British shippers and ship-owners to undertake the risks of contraband. November 30. An official despatch to Tokio with regard to the Russian entrenchments at Sung-shu-shan eastwards says: — "We firmly ocI cupied the top counter scarps and adjoining works. The time to storm has> not yet come. We are now destroying the casement's other caponieres." The report adds : — " In the attack on the 203 metre hill several charges enabled us to capture 1 the shelter trenches near the summit. We j are holding the position gained, and endeavouring to capture the whole fort.'' Advices from Chi-fu state- that the Japanese positions at Er-lung-shan aud Kee-kwan-shan are most promising. A detachment of the Eleventh Division, after several days' bombarding, advanced,, on the afternoon of the 24th, and rushedi again I and atzain *he trend""* «uardinjr th« south-

eastern Kee-kwan-shan forts, the Japanese ' artillery pouring a fire against the Er-lung-shan and An-tzit-shan forts. Possession of the trenches was stubbornly contested for five hours. After sev-eral repulses, finally the Japanese obtained possession. Many of the assailants carried sandbags, behind which they entrenched themselves on the captured positions. A sortie from the fort was repulsed after a two hours' fight. The Express's Tokio correspondent says General Nogi has stopped the general assault, and the sappeTs have resumed operations. General Kourapatkin reports that General Kennechampt, by repelling a fresh attack, foiled the Japanese turning movement on the 28th. He collected and buried 230 Japanese dead, many rifles, and entrenching tools. , ' General Sakaharoff reports that the Japanese on the Russian left slowly retired. The Daily Mail states that the Russian sailors interned at Shanghai are troublesome. Owing to the slack regulations drunken brawls are frequent. The Standard's Tokio correspondent wires that an unofficial report states that the Japanese had hauled large calibres guns to the top of ihe 203-metre hill, aoS that their fire was sweeping the harbour and throwing the greatly-crippled warships into confusion. Mr Bennet Burleigh reports that the Japanese exploded mines under the northeast corner of the Russian main defences near the Er-lung-shan forts, throwing a portion of the glacis into the great moat. The besiegers also assaulted another of the minor Kee-kwan forts. In a subsequent rush, the struggle lasting about an hour, 4000 Japanese were slaia. • The Japanese claim that they have captured two additional north-eastern forts, which constitute about one-third of those west of Kee-kwan, at the same time effecting a minor lodgment at Pigeon Bay. Thi; will have the effect of turning the Russian position on 203-metre hill. The Japanese add that their troops are now tunnelling from the gorge below Liao-tie-shan, which they hope to damage. Their rushes are desperate, and fighting takes place daily. The besiegers' losses are admittedly excessive, but they insist that within 20 days the place must fall. Tho Japanese at Sha-ho are in comfortable trenches, warmed by underground flues similar to the Chinese khangs. They are also well clad and well fed December 1. It is reported from Tokio that the Japanese have carried and retain, the southeastern portion of fort 203. It is officially reported from Tokio that the Japanese, near the summit, advanced at 10 o'clock on the morning of the 30th, and struggled for possession of the southeastern portion of the fort crowning 203 hill. A fierce battle followed all day. Reuter's Tokio agent wires that on Thursday the Japanese captured and hold 203 hill" The Standard's Odessa correspondent authoritatively states that since the battle of Sha-ho General Kourapatkin's reinforcements amount to 34,000 men and 72 guns. A further 38,000 men and S8 guns will reach the front at the end of December. The Mikado, in opening- the Diet, said relations with neutrals w-2re increasingly cordial. The troops had been victorious , in every engagement, and, displaying increased brilliancy md valoar, had secured steady progress. He was confident his subjects' loyalty and devotion would' secure ultimate success. Mr Bennet Burleigh reports that a further heavy bombardment of Port Arthur was begun on Tuesday night. Desperate attempts were made to tunnel towards 203 hill. There were repeated bayonet charges and heavy 'casualties. It is stated that on the besiegers' side over 25,000 men have been killed outright since the siege began. After repeated charges on 203 hill had failed", a footing was at last obtained within 30 metres of the southern summit. The easter portion was reinforced, and after a fierce assault the summit itself was captured. Simultaneously the north-eastern part was taken, and then the entire fort. Heaps" cf Russian dead were found. A squadron under the command of Admiral Uriu has gone to the Dutch East Indies to watch for the Baltic fleet. The Times' Tokio correspondent says that there is no irritation over the coal question, as the Japanese fully comprehend the nature of the English laws. The popular indignation is confined to the action of France so interpreting her neutrality laws as to allow the Baltic fleet the free use of her ports. This conduct is described as irreconcilable with strict neutrality. December 2. The battery on 203 hill contained several 47-millimetre quick-firers and several 15centinietre Canet guns. The north-eastern and south-western central defences were built of earth and rocks The western summit was very strongly defended by armour-covered encircling approaches. Air Bennet Burleigh wires that the First Division of stormers suffered heavily. Simultaneously the Ninth and Eleventh Divisions of stormers advanced and menaced Er-lung-shan and Kee-kwan-shan. The Japanese casualties during 24 hours were 15,000. Hill 203 commands Itzu-shan and Tai-yang-kow, besides the town and east "harbour. The Express states that a terrific fire during four successive charges mowed down the Japanese' literally in companies.

' After reinforcements a fresh advance was made, and the Russian fire perceptibly slackened. Finally the Japanese reached the trenches, clubbing the Russians, who bravely stood their ground. The Japanese officers wielded the samurie. with terrible effect. Joy is manifested at Tokio at the great victory at 203 Hill. New recruits are joining the colours gladly. Newspapers at St. Petersburg confess that the reserves are deserting in hundreds and thousands. The railway police at Ching-wan-tao discovered 549 shells for quick-firers concealed in a cargo of bags and beans from Sim-ti-tun. Three Chinese arrested confessed that they had been hired) to convey them to Port Arthur. French naval officials entertained the officers of the Prouzitelni at luncheon, and wished success to Russian arms, particularly to General Stoessel, whose heroic defence of Port Arthur had won the admiration of the civilised world. The (French squadron proceeding to the Far East were extensively feted at Colombo. An attempt to recapture 203 Hill was heavily repulsed. The Japanese are finding sailors among the Russian dead. The Japanese press has acclaimed the exploits of the army and navy, and tendered its thanks. Field-marshal Oyama's reports claim that the skirmishing on the Russian left flank favoured the Japanese. " There are said to be 26,000 Russian troops at Vladivostock. It is reported! in Shanghai that the guns , in Vladivostock sank a Russian destroyer as it was returning from scouting', and that General Nakamura was wounded in the legs. The steamer Calchas, seized by- the Vladivostock squadron off the Japanese coast on July 27 and sent to Saghalien under arrest while proceeding from Puget Sound to Yokohama, Hongkong, and Europe with flour and machinery, has been released under bail, and has sailed for Nagasaki, Japan. December 3. The Daily Express says that as the Russians are determined to retake 203 Hill at ] all hazards the Japanese are piling com- j pany upon company on the hill. Reuter states that Russia is further fortifying the Liao-ti-shan district. Seventeen Japanese officers were killed and 64 wounded recently at Port Arthur, mostly in the attack on 203. December 4. A flag of truce approaching the Japanese ! left wing at Port Arthur arranged for a partial armistice for six hours on Friday for .the removal of the dead and wounded. There are five miles of 1 continuous Russian and Japanese underground works from Lin-shin-pu. The troops move about unseen, but their voices are mutually audible in some places. Russian official despatches claim that General Rennenkampf drove the Japanese as far as Tai-tse. Fifty Japanese were killed. During the skirmishing on the Sha-ho 25 Japanese were bayoneted. There are indications that the Russians are trying to regain the Yen-tai mines. December 5. The Japanese have occupied) Skasakayama Hill, 300 yards south of Metre Hill, and have firmly secured Metre Hill, on which they have mounted heavy guns to sweep the harbour and enfilade Eilunga. The struggle on Metre Hill occupied five days. Desperate fighting and a fourth charge on the 27th captured Red Hill, south of Metre Hill. After two failures, the third was especially furious. By a counter-attack on the right the Russians recaptured the hill. Next day the Japanese attacked Metre Hill desperately. While advancing between Metre and Red) Hills '• they were decimated by the fire from both forts, but swept on, capturing the south-east corner of the northern face, also taking lodgment near the parapet of the south-west face. The operations were very costly. Both sides threw many grenades. At dawn on the 29th the Russians made j a furious counter-attack, which was largely successful. On the 30th strong Japanese reserves renewed the attack on the south- I west face. The fighting was continuous all day. The attack on Metre Hill was continued. The Japanese artillery, assisted by the ships, proved very effective. In the afternoon the Russians weakened, and at 5 o'clock the Japanese tried but failed to rush the trenches, losing heavily. They were opportunely reinforced), and, with loud shouts, hurled themselves repeatedly against the Russians, Trho, at half^ast 7 o'clock broke and sullenly retired. Almost simultaneously the south-east angle was carried, and the whole fortress by 8 o'clock. Then Red Hill was captured. Russian reinforcements were, summoned by telephone, but just too late-. They delivered six desperate counter-attacks, the last one extending for eight hours, during -which there were many bayonet encounters. Finally, after terrible losses, the Russians on the Ist retreated. The Mukden correspondent of the Russ reports that Cossacks on Friday night surprised a Japanese bivouac south of Li-dan-toun, killing many, and capturing eight guns. Repairs to the Japanese fleet have been secretly proceeding since August, and the vessels are now ready for anything. (French officers sighted the Masaki and

the Asahi recently near Sasebo complete!* refitted. The Japanese Finance Minister assured the House of Representatives that the energy and military strength of the nation was undiminished. The war Budget was 7-7 millions sterling. It was only necessary to borrow 55 millions in 1905. Economies in the ordinary Budget permitted the diversion of 12 millions to the war. The Government stopped the loading of a German collier at Cardiff because she delivered a previous cargo to the Baltic fleet at Dakar. The Government regards the collier as the Baltic fleet's storeship. MELBOURNE, December 3. Colonel Hood, the Australian military attache with the Japanese army, has furnished the Federal Government with a compendiious report. He says that Japan in studying army methods found several things to be carefully avoided, such as red tape routine and centralisation. For some years the Japanese have relied entirely on their own officers both for administration and command. The system is elastic, and • capable of rapid expansion in case of emergency. There is entire sympathy between the civil, military, and naval authorities. Their methods aTe practical in all things. The head control is by a board on the system adopted by most other nations. The Japanese, however, have still much to learn in cavalry and mounted work, and in the proper horsing of their artillery, whicli moves slowly in action. They were also slow to use the railway that had been abandoned by- the Russians, even though the lines and bridges were left uninjured. Strict discipline was noticeable. There is no drunkenness, and very little crime. Everything was so orderly that it was hard at times to believe there was* an army m the vicinity. Amongst the Headquarters Staff the absence of excitement and display, ■was most marked both in the camps and on th© battlefield. There was no show of flags denoting the headquarters of the general or other officers. All ranks are inspired by their example. The Japanese soldier maintains his reputation a? a descendant of a race of fighting men of several centiiries. He has both energy and endurance, and his marching powers are remarkable. Though at times h© was shoeless and short of rations, he made no complaints. He possessed great courage, and when wounded seldom allowed an expression of pain to escape him. He is brave in action, and -will readiily follow his officers. BRISBANE, December 5. Mr Archibald, representing Collier's Weekly, who, with two other American vrar correspondents, arrived at Honolulu, was interviewed. He was with the Russians up to the battle of Liao-yang, which he declared a negative victory for the Japanese, who had 75,000 men more than the Russians. General Kourapatkin had only 40,000 despissd Siberians, and almost wou the battle. He would have done so but for one regiment breaking. The regiment was paraded and the colonel and lieutenant-colonel dismissed the army. General Kourapatkin intended falling back beyond Mukden, but the Japanese were so exhausted he decided not to do so. The artillery duel at Liao-yang was the greatest the world ever savr. The Russian cavalrywere the finest in the world). They had no chance of operating owing to the depth of the mnd and high corn. Now that large reinforcements of European cavalry had arrived they would soon be able to operate. The Russian bravery was real, but the Japanese fanaticism. He believes the Japanese will never take Port Arthur. Lieutenant M'Nully, of the United States Navy, -who had just come out of Port Arthur, is of the same opinion.