The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-04-04

scheme was TO divide the attention of the
Chinese armies in Manchurie and keep
them as far apart as possible, when he
concentrated his forces upon the several
points of attack.
Lieutenant Yamajis, who was first or
dered to take the field with about 5000 of
his division, started from Kia Wang on
February "a, seized the strong Chinese
position some IL miles from Wing Che
and by this threatened attitude detained
General Sung from sending forward any
large number of his troops camped on
the mouth of the Lao river.
On February "a, Lieutenant General
Katzura started from Hal Chang to
drive the Manchuria force of General Ih
toward Lao Yang. For two days lta
retreated in much disorder and when at a
distance of 10 miles from Hal Chang,
Katzura suddenly turned and led his men
southwark again, but by another road
which brought him to Old New Chang on
the fourth of March.
Meanwhile General Nozu had crossed
from Hal Cheng to New Chang on a
straight line, ait the head of 1000 of the
Fifth division. A combined assault upon
the city was made March 3, and at =
o'clock in the afternoon the northern half
was in the hands of the Japanese, several
thousand of the defenders belonging to
w
southern gates towards Yieng Know
and Chwang Tai. The Chinese
were disorganized rabble. They ran
into the house and kept up persistent
fire upon the Japanese until late at night,
when they were brought to submission
by blowing up many of the buildings in
which they had baricaded themselves.
Nearly 1000 are supposed to have been
killed and an equal number wounded or
taken prisoners. The spoils were OF
great value. Thousands of horses We're
found dead, more than enough to satisfy
the needs of the whole invading army,
One foreigner a missionary, still re-
mained in the city and his safety was
provided for.
! While the third and fourth divisions
were taking possession of New Chwang
the first was moving upon Yieng Know,
further south. On March wild and
fruitless attack was made by General
Sung upon Yamajis, with the result that
the Chinese were beaten back with heavy
losses and were compelled to seek shelter
again inside the walls. They did not
long continue undistur5ed. YamaJis had
been waiting only until Nozu's work Mt
Old New Chwang was finished. He
marched into Yieng Know on, the 7th,
the enemy having crossed the frozen
.
mass of fugitives Mt Tien Chwang Tai.
1t il under stood that they were allowed
to depart unmolested in order that the
American and European residents should
not be exposed to danger. The occu-
patton was at once reported to NorZa,
who had advanced to Kai Kan, few
miles north of Yen Know, and officers
were g ent to make arrangements with
the cOnsuls and the commanders of the
United States and British ships in the
harbor for the protection of foreign res
idents, of whom there were between 1000
| and 1000. The arrival of the Japanese
was cordially welcomed In the belief that
their presence would put an end to the
anxieties of the past months and bring
about a renewal of intercourse with the
outer world.
From Kai Kan large part of the fifth
division and guard of 30 were sent
acrosse Laio river, and were stationed at
the northwest of the town. The first
division, except one regiment left to
guard Yien Know, marched to the east
of the same stronghold in which all the
armies were congregated together. An
assault was made from three directions
early in the morning of the 10th.
No defense, was attempted and at
10 o'clock the Chinese began to pour
onto the roads leading westward toward
Shang Tai. Many got away by scatter.
ing right and left, but the course was
presently closed, as at New Chwang.
and the majority Of those who attempted
to force a passage were slain. More
than 300 dead bodies were counted, OF
the native forces which at the beginning
Of this month had possession of east .plaif,
through which the Lilac river runs, hardly
a vestige now remains. The fragments
may perhaps, be reunited, but they cannot
be made Formidable, unless it be to their
own harrassing countrymen.F
Reports of the death Of both WI and
Sung are circulated, but not yet verified.
The only Japanese officer of high rank
injured n Col Sato. of the Third divi-
sion who received slight wound in the
shoulder while leading his troops to the
assault on New Chwang.
Shortly after the Japs entered Tien
Chwang Tai, fire broke out in several
places and in spite of all endeavors TO sub
due it, the greater part of the town was
destroyed. A body of 1000 armed Chinese
are devastating the eastern district of
Shing King province, just beyond the
Japanese lines, north of Feng Hwany Tor
Hong HwOng). A batillion of cavalry
has been sent to dispense the marauders.
The emperor earnestly desires To ioin
his army before they return home.
A squadron of Japanese warships have
been seen in Formosa channel. REPORTS
are published that the Pescadore is
lands are to be seized as a base of strong
operations.