Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-05-28
JAps PUSHING RUSSIANS.
A Bloody Battle-f2,OO0 Japanes
Clnir Ruccinn I.ncs GfIII Granfer

Inc JdpdneSc dlIdCh upOh 0lhSnOu
and vicinity, which began with bonn
bardment by gunboats and torpedo boats
Wednesday evening, followed by an all
day battle Thursday between the land
forces and the storming Of the Russians
strong position on Nanshan Hill, east of
Talienan, have eliminated in a great
victory for the japanese. The losses
on both sides are heavy the Nanshan
heights are strewn with the dead.
A dispatch to the London Central
News from Harbin says the japanese
losses are $4,000. 1t is said that these
figures have been confirmed by an Off
ciaI dispatch. The Russian loss is said
to be much greater. Fighting, it is
added, is still going on in the vicinity
of Kinchou.
Subsequent reports indicate that the
storming of Nanshan Hill Thursday
was bloody affair. The japanese first
centered their fire on the Russian bat
teries, in which work they were
aided by four gunboats from Kinchou
bay. They succeeded in siencing
many of the enemy's guns. The
Russians had constructed a series of
trenches around the hill on a terrace
protected by wire entanglements and
other such devices. The japanese made
a series of rushes, but they were in vain.
The deadly rifle and cannon fire of the
enemy checked them repeatedly. Final
ly, at o'clock in the afternoon, the
japanese reformed and stOrmed the crest
OF the hill. The Russians held to their
position doggedly, and it was O'Clock
in the eeyening before the japanese fl
nally gained possession of the ridge, the
Russians retreating toward Nanguan
Ling, second line of defense The
Russians had series of mines planted
at Tafangshan station, on the railroad,
which were exploded. The station was
destroyed. The japanese forces were
under fire for l6 hours.
Official reports received at St. Peters
burg show that the japanese are slowly
advancing aud Strengthening their posi-
tons along the Liaoyang road in Man
churia. The japanese are within twelve
miles of Port Arthur
As was stated yesterday, Kincbou and
all the heights in its vicinity have been
taken, and the japanese troops are push
ing the Russians toward Port Arthur and
Vice Admiral Togo has now established
a complete blockade around the southern
end of the Liaotung peninsula. This
completely envelops Port Arthnr from
the seaward and marks the opening of
the final investment of the town and its
forti6cations. The japanese estimate
the strength of the Russians about Port
Arthur at 20, 900 men. The former are
said to have 40, 900 to $4,000 men en-
gagged in the operations on the southern
part of the peninsula.
Baron Hayashi, the japanese minis
ter at London, discussing the opera
tions north of Port Arthur said yester-
day: "Kinchou will be occupied asa
first base. The .neigbboring hills will
be strongly fortified in order that they
can be held indefinitely For food
supplies and ammunition Port Dalny
will be second base. The pos
session of Kinchou will be of in
valuable aid in the campaign against
Port Arthur. The bills command posi-
tiOns of the country for several miles in
the direction of Port Arthur. pre-
sumo from the action at Kinchou that
the Russians intend to make another
stand at Port Dalny. Their justification
for defending Kinchou must have been
the belief that their numbers were able
to cope with ours, so expect that prac-
tically all the available Russian troops
have been moved out from Port Arthur
in the attempt to head off the invest
ment."
The Toxic correspondent of the Lon
don Daily Telegraph says be learns that
the japanese troops are now within II
miles OF Port Arthur, and that the
Russians suffered heavier casualties than
the Japanese, who have taken guns
and other material and few prisoners.
He predicts further surprise, as Japan
is now increasing ner efforts in all di-
rections.
The Toxic correspondent Of the Lon
don Daily Chronicle says that the
japanese captured many guns at Kin
chou.