The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-10-18

was increased by the arrival of a di- vision, consisting of independent brigades of the second reserve infantry. From July to July 25 there was no fighting and the time was employed by the Russians in making semi-per- manent Notifications upon their natur- ally strong position, with line extend ing across the peninsula from Swang- taikou on the west coast, through the Anshu and ojil1ei mountain ranges to Lootduo mountain on the east coast and south to the Tai creek. .. On the morning of July 26 the Jap anese advanced and bombarded the Russian positions on Anshu and Oji- kei mountains.
 That night the Japanese attack on the Russian center was repulsed with heavy loss.
 The next morning the attack was re- newed on ojikei mountain under com mand os a heavy and concentrated ar tillery fire. The advance of the in fantry was enormously difficult as the mountain sides were almost precipit- ous.
 The Russians remain in the trenches until the last moment and were only driven out by several bayonet charges. Man, yJapanese were wounded The Japanese were struck by loose stones which were hurled at them by the Russians above when they were climb ing the slopes.
 l There was only hard fighting on the left flank, where the positions were very difficult to take. A body of Rus sian troops held on to Laotu hill long after the rest of the line had retired. ] The Japanese made a desperate effort to outflank them, but during the night the force escaped.
 On the morning of July 2S the Rus sians evacuated their positions along the entire line and retreated to new line from Taku mountain on the east coast through Fenghoan range to a point on the west coast.
 1 The Japanese advanced before day light on the S0th and surprised the Rus sian outposts, who retired, leaving their kits, blankets and rifles piled in their bivouacs.
 4 short fight followed with the Rus sian main position, but the Russians soon retired within the line of perma- nent Qualifications on the west and cen ter, but held on to Taku and Shonku mountains and the hills close to the east coast.
 The Japanese line was now as close to the Russian line of forts as possible, except on the coast,N where Taku and Shonku mountains, strong strategic points, were held by the Russians
 It is evident that the Russians only fought rear-guard actions during the two months they had been holding these positions, deciding to wait until they could infiict more serious losses on the Japanese and then retire in good order to their next natural positions.
 General Stoessel is evidently unwill- ing to sacrifice his men by holding these positions, though they are strong oiles, and he Is also evidently afraid of being outf1anked by q superior force
 The Japanese successes were pur- chased dearly, but they were wonder full, considering the tremendous difficult ties the Japanese encountered in a country which is a series of natural fortresses almost impregnable.
 The Russian losses were placed at about l, 300, while those of the Japanese were close to 5,e00
 It is evident from their positions that the Japanese have shown great skill in locating trenches and in placing guns. The concentrated artillery fire of the Japanese was splendidly effective in si- fencing the Russian guns, while the in fantry, with machine and mountain guns, were enabled to climb almost i'm possible heights and to engage the Rus. sians hand to hand. It is impossible to understand to General Stoessels deter imitation to retake Ken Mountain, as the effort cost him 900 men and as he could not have held the place if he cap tured it, since it could be easily out fianked.
 In advancing the Japanese right has moved twenty miles, while the left has moved only twelve miles to it's present position in front of Port Arthur.