New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-04
THE BATTLE OF MAO-TIEN'
japanese Defect Of Superior Rus
sian Force on July II.

The Russians, in their second unsuccessful at
tempt 70 retake Mao-Tien Pass. early on inc
morning OF July II. We're repulsed ana IoIceU
back TO their original positions after I'VE hours
OF severe fighting. They suffered heavy losses
compared with the japanese casualties. Three
regiments were engaged on the RUSSIAN sue
They were the 9th and 24th East Siberian Tegl-
nents. which failed to distinguish themselves i.
the previous attacks, and the Bath Regiment OF
regulars o. the Ninth Division. Opposed TO them
were one japanese regiment and one battery
The European regulars, who for the hrst 'lile
met General Kurokfs soldiers, proved IN no"lse
superior 10 the Siberian contingeats OF the hus-
sian army.
The Russians took advantage Of the heavy iog
which enveloped the mountains Ihey began
20 advance at . o'clock In the morning and at
3 O'Clock they opened fire, when the mist was
so dense that It was impossible fer the japanese
TO see more than hundred feet away.
Major General Okazak learned of the Rus
slams purpose to renew the attack on the pass
and also knew when they prepared to leave
their camps. but the heavy fog prevented the,
japanese from gaining information OF the Rus
sian positions The japanese were badly handi-
capped untu . O'Clock when the fog lifted
FIERCE CONFLICT AT THE TEMPLE.
The attack began on the ledge below the
JIlv / took place. and the severest fighting was
against the Russians who gained the temple
and the road behind the trenches there The
Japanese outpost companies were forced from
these trenches. after bayonet fighting. 10 'he
summit OF the line Of hills forming the highest
ridge of the range where Is the entrance to the
pass. This range is half a nile behind me
trenches Halfway between the trenches and
the ridges and about parallel TO tA0m runs the
road upon which the temple stands.
The Aercest fighting focused about this tenn
pie which the Russians held for about three
hours in spite of rain Of bullets from the op-
posite ridge The Russian dead and wounded
were thick about the temple. Five dead men
had fallen in the road on their faces. Their
rifles were under them They had been killed
as they appeared over the crest Of the hill. one
Russian battery fred on the japanese for two
hours and this fire japanese battery on the
ridge replied.
When the sun dispelled the fog about 2 o'clock
the japanese made quick work OF the affair. At
this hour the Russian line extended across the
valley and along the sides Of the hills on each
side Of the valley. while the Japanese occupied
the ridge from which the pass opens and the
hillsdas on the Russian tanks.
RUSSIANS RETREAT IN GOOD ORDER
The Russians made hurried. but fairly or
Derby retreat down the valley They left behind
them. however. many dead and wounded men,
number of rifles drums. greatcoats and
trenching tools. 4 Russian battery took up a
position In the valley and fired a few rounds
TO cover the retreat, and infantrymen were
brought up in good order by the officers to the
support of guns The white coats worn by the
Russian officers made them conspicuous tar
gets for the japanese
Tho T9uesga- airing -,-as aIfoga4,e- m vOl1nva
while the japanese fred at Will The Russian
troops kept in close formation. but the japanese
soldiers were deployed in extended order. 1t
wes plain that the japanese possessed much
greater initiative and dash than the Russians.
The engag cement was fair test OF the capacities
Of the two forces. and the net result Of Il was
that one japanese regiment Of three hattalons.
only two Of which were on the firing line de-
feated three Russian regiments in spite Of the
fact that another Russian regiment was held
in reserve The Russians employed their artil-
lerv much more than the Japanese did theirs
It is impossible 10 estimate the losses at this
hour Desultory firing stil continues the
Russians retreat and dead and wounded men
are being brought I'm by the hospital corps The
japanese think that their casualties amount 20
about 200 The Russian casualties are undoubt-
edIy much greater than in the former engage
ment Russian dead were being buried all over
the field. the temporary hospitals are Allied with
wounded, and n few unwounded Russians who
had hidden IN the fields are surrendering
The temple with several holes in its walls,
made by shells; Generals Nishi and Okazah and
their stafs, the dead bodies of Russian and Jap
anese soldiers on the ground. wounded men OF
both sides lying still or being conveyed to the
hospitals the trophies Of collected in piles;
General Ian Hamilton Of the British army; the
other military attaches surveying the battle
field. notebooks in hand. combine to make an
impressive picture OF The Japanese arc
pleased. but calm and businesslike as always.