New-York tribune., 1895-02-14
IN A TRAP IN AANCHURIA.
DESPERATE PLIGHT OF THE CHINESE
ARMY THERE.
CIT OFF FROM ITS BASE OF SUPPLIES AND LED
BY LAUNDERING ENERALs-UNAVAILlNd
EFFORTS TO DRIVE THE JAPAN

CUT OFF FROM ITS BASE OF SUPPLIES AND LED
BY LAUNDERING MISUNDERSTANDING
EFFORTS TO DRIVE THE JAPAN
EsE OUT OF HAI-CHENG.
Vancouver b. c.. Feb l3.-The steamer Empress
OF China. which arrived here to-day, brings ad'
vices from Toxic to February !.
On January II a part OF the Chinese forces IN
Manchuria made a second attempt to recover Hal
Cheng. The strategical position of the chinese IN
Shin-Keng is most perilous. Their line OF
defence and OF direct communication with their
chief base of supplies at New-Chwang having been
cut off by the Japanese. all their troops some
410co In the districts southwark of Ha-Cheng have
to choose between OF two ways or getting
back to China prope- namely. either by driving
the Japanese out OF Fai-Cheng. and thus recover
ing command of the direct route to the coast. or
by taking the highway from Moukden TO Peking.
The japanese. however, moving along the coast
from Hai-Cheng strike the Moukden-Pcking
road by a march of seventy-fve miles. whereas
the Chinese retreating from Moukden must march
49, miles to reach the point.
When Hal-Cheng first fell into possession OF the
Japanese, General Sung. command rn-chief in
Manchuria apprecatng the gravity of the stu
alton. Immediately made an attempt 10 recover
the town. Moving northward at the head Of
1900 men. he took up strong position twelve
miles from Hai-Cheng. and there. on December Is,
fought the battle OF Kangwasa, suffering total
defeat month later. on January H. similar
attempt was made by part Of the Chinese troops
operating on the north of Hai-Cheng. To the
number OF a. OO0 they left their headquarters Nao-
Yang) on January u. and. covering a distance of
forty miles in five days, advanced against
Hai-Cheng from three directions-north. northwest
and west II extraordinary neht ltaV-
ing for their object the recapture of town occu-
pied BY the Japanese in force. the Chinese never
ventured closer 10 the enemy's advanced posts
tndn l,JUU metres. A distance they posted
themselves. depoying that their front extended
over line OF fve miles. and began innocuous
demonstration with cannon and musketry fire.
their artillery being a quaint mixture of modern
and mediaeval weapons. 1t was a record battle,
In that an army OF 1900 men, having march d
more than forty miles through snow and bitter
cold. to recover strategcal position Of vital I'M
portance. fought In pursuance OF that purpose
from $50 in the morning until dusk and inflicted
upon the enemy loss OF only one killed and forty
wounded themselves leaving from 200 to 200 dead
upon the field Had the Chinese forces in Shin
Keng combned-as they could easily have done
10 hurl against Hai-Cheng from north and south
simultaneously armies aggregatns $1,000 men,
they might have inflicted serious disaster upon
the Japanese But they delivered their strokes
In q dispirite6, perfunctory manner. thoroughly
consistent with the miserable generalshp which
has disgrc ced their whole conduct OF the
paign. ,... :, :. .,,,... .....
peen supposed that the Chinese would refrain for
a time al least from renewed attempts 10 recover
Fai-chene but the LaoYang army had recently
been strengthened by an important element a
general of undoubted capacity had Joined IT, In all
their encounters with the Chinese troops only one
commander among their adversaries has succeeded
~ inspiring the japanese with respect General
L who In the latter part OF December led the Amoor
Tartars against the japanese positions northward
OF Chn-Lien, though ne failed TO obtain any sue
CESS nevertheless displayed qualities worthy Of his
German education. With such solder in Lao,
no, be allowed to remain cut off from its chief
oaase OF supplies and threatened with complete
elimination from the field OF final operations. On
January p Chang and General !. having reorgan-
ked tner forces and brought up reserves. raising
Hsa,n aga. to the attack OF Hsl-Cheng They took al!
nr mDst the same routes of approach before.
~ advanced to within 600 metres OF the Japanese.
oattslions Of infantry and three batteries OF
s"e1y OF eighteen guns vigorously attacked the