The herald., 1895-04-03
THE WORK OF A CLEVER JAP
Operations Conducted Under the Most
Modern Military Tactics
Description Of How the Battles Were Won by
the Followers OF the 7ikado and the
Chinese Armies Routed


movements of the japanese troops are
directed by a soldier skilled in the science
of modern warfare, and the same leader
that won the earliest OF the series of VIC
tories now conducts the operations in the
valley of the Liao river. General Nozu,
promoted to the highest grade of the
army, assumed control in February OF
the first division, commanded by Lieu
tenant-General Yamaji, in addition to his
own-the ffth-and the third, of which
Lieutenant-G General Katsura is the chief.
His scheme was to divide the attention
of the Chinese armies in Manchuria and
keep them as far apart as possible while
he concentrated his forces upon the sew
eral points of attack Lieutenant-G General
Yamaji was first ordered to take the field.
About 5000 of his division marched from
Kai Ping on February oath, seized a
strong Chinese position some twelve
miles southeast of Wing Kow and by their
threatening attitude prevented General
Sung from sending northward any large
number of his troops encamped at the
mouth of the Liao river.
On February 2Sth Lieutenant General
Katsura, with 5000 of the third division,
started from Hal Cheng to drive the Man
chu of General | toward Liao Yang. For
and when at a distance OF eighteen miles
from Hal Cheng, Katsura suddenly turned
and led his men southward again, but by
another road. which brought him to Old
New Chwang on the 4th of March. Mean
while General Nozu had crossed from Hal
Cheng to New Chwang in a straight line,
at the head of 700 of the fifth division A
combined assault upon the city was made
on March 5th, and at 2 o'clock In the
afternoon the northern half was in the
hands of the Japanese. Several thous-
and of the defenders, beloging to the
southern gates toward Wing Kow and
Tien Cheng Lai. They would have been
followed by the entire body had not the
line of retreat been blocked by cavalry
regiment. The Chinese are now disor
ganized rabble. Apparently unaware
that they might save themselves by sur
rendering they ran into the houses and
kept up persistent fire upon the Jap
anese until late at night, when they were
brought to submission by blowing up
many of the buildings in which they
had barricaded themselves. Nearly 1000
were supposed to have been killed and an
equal number wounded or taken prison.
ers. The spoils were of great value.
Thousands of horses were found-more
than enough to satisfy the needs of the
whole invading army.
One foreigner, missionary, still re-
mained in the city, and his safety was
duly provided for. While the Third and
Fifth divisions were taking possession of
New Chwang the First was moving upon
Wing Kow, further south. On March A a
wild and fruitless attack was made by
General Sung upon Yamaji's troops, with
the result that the Chinese were beaten
back with heavy losses and compelled to
seek shelter again inside the walls of the
open port. They did not long continue
undisturbed. Yamaji had been waiting
only until Nozu's work at Old New
Chwang was finished. He marched to
Ying Kow on the 7th, encountering
scarcely any resistance, the enemy having
and joined the mass of fugtives at Tien
Chwang.
1t is understood that they were allowed
to depart unmolested. in order that the
American and European residents should
not be exposed to danger. The occupa-
ton was at once reported to Nou who
had advanced to Koa Kan. few m lies
north of Ying Kow, and other officers
were sent to make arrangements with the
consuls and the commanders of the United
States and British ships in the harbOr,
for the protection of the foreigners, of
whom there were between 800 and 400
The arrival of the Japanese was cordially
welcomed, in the belief that their presence
would put an end TO the anxieties of the
past few months and bring about re-
newal of intercourse with the outer world.
From Kao Kan large part of the Fifth
division and briagde of the Third were
sent to cross the Liao on March 9, at
point just above Tien Chwang Tai, and
were stationed at the north and northeast
of the town. The First division, except
one regiment. left to guard Ying Kow,
marched to the east of the same strong
hold. in which all that remained of the
armies of WI and Sung were congregated
together. An assault was made from
three directions early on the morning of
the 10th. No defense was attempted,
and at 10 O'Clock the Chinese began to
pour out on the road leading westward
toward Shwang Tai. Many got away by
scattering right and left, but the course
was presently closed, as at New Chwang,
and the majority OF those who attempted
afterward to force passage were slain.
More than 1000 dead bodies were counted
within short distance of the western
wall. The losses of the Japanese are es-
timated not to exceed 200 killed and
wounded. Of the native forces which at
the beginning OF this month held posses
sion OF the vast plain through which the
Lao runs, hardly vestige now remains.
The fragments may perhaps be reunited,
but they can never be made formidable in
even the slightest degree, unless it be to
their own harassed countrymen. Reports
OF the death of both WI and Sung are
Dub liOt YET NcIllltu. Inc Only
Japanese officer of high rank injured was
Colonel Sato of the Thiru division, who
received slight wound in the shoulder
while leading his troops to the assault on
New Chwang.
Shortly after the Japansese entered Tien
Chwang Tai flames broke out in several
places, and in spite of all endeavors to
subd ue them the greater part of the
town was destroyed.
A body of about 1000 armed Chinese is
devastating the eastern districts of Shing
King province, just beyond the Japansese
lines, north of Feng Hwang Cor Hong
Hwong): A troop of cavalry has been
sent to disperse the marauders.
An official list of Chinese killed and
wounded up to the time just preceding
the expedition to Wei Hal Wei has been
published by the native newspaper, Shen
Pao 1t acknowledges 666O killed. $500
wounded and 1900 prisoners.
The report that the imperial headquar-
ters will be transferred to some place on
the continent again gains strength. The
Emperor earnestly desires to join his
troops before they return home, but the
majority of his ministers discourage the
step.
A squadron of Japanese warships has
been seen in Formosa channel. Reports
are published that the Pescador islands
are to be seized as u ba sc OF southern
naval opera 5ions.
ST. PETERSBURG. April "A tee-
gram from a Chinese source SAYS that bad
weather and sickness among the japanese
troops and the overflow of rivers have rem