Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-05-12
RUSSIANS RETIRE
BEFORE THE JAPS
HURRIED WITHDRAWAL FROM
SOUTHERN MANCHURlA.

Abandon Feng-Wene-Cheng With
out Fight Concentrating On Rail-
road TO the Northward.--Japs Land
$4,000 Men at Pitsewo and Cut Off
Port Arthur Communication Re-
stored.--Russians Evacuatins New
Chwane.- Attempt To Close
Port Arthur Harbor Succeeds.
The past week has seen rapid progress
in the offensive campaign waged by the
Japanese in Manchuria. Following up
their decisive victory at Kiulien Cheng, IN
which the Russians admit a loss Of 600
killed, 1900 wounded and 600 captured,
while the japanese loss was less than zoo
killed and 800 wounded the Japs moved
briskly toward Feng- -Weng-Cheng, to
which place the Russians had retired. An
other battle was expected here, for the
place had some strategic value and was
well defended. but the Russians abandon
ed it Just as the japanese had prepared Tor
a fight. There was clash between Jap
anese cavalry and Cossaeks near this point
| in which the latter came of second best'
] The showing made by the japanese
mounted men against the redoubtable Cos
sacks is one OF the great surprises.
Though their horses are inferior, they put
dash enough into their assaults to make
up. on their retreat the Russians burned
their magazines, but a quantity Of hospital
supplies fell into the hands OF the Japan
ese. ,,,-.;
Gen. Kurino lost no time in following
M the retiring Russians, moving IN
nort tbeasterlv direction so as to threaten
their flank with part OF his force, ana
following along the line OF retreat with
| bis main force. it is rumored that ne
overlook the Russians and an engagement
followed, but the report IS not conhrlh'Sau.
The long anticipated descent on the
Liaotung peninsula by the Japanese ~ tay,g agSN
place Nav 5th, when they effected q lahu-
ing. practically without oppositloni at
pitseyo. on the eastern coast, and ABOUT
IO0 miles mort tbeast OF Port Arthur. some
sivtv TRANSPORTS. covered by war ships,
landed 1900 troops, with munitions anu
supplies There was no adequate husslan
force 10 interfere. The japanese threw up
| tntrsnchrnents and pushed q detachment
over the neck as far as the railroad con
meeting with Port Arthur, which they cut,
a. we'll as the telegraph, so that the Rus
sian stronghold was deprived OF eoininu-
nication Friday. Niceroy Alexieh haa
narrow escape from Port Arthur, taxing
one OF the last trains to pass over the llhe; N;
The last train, containing some NOuhueu
men. was fired on by the japanese.
M is expected that this landing army
viii move southwark and invest Port AT
thur by land while the tieet blockaoes ipn9
sea. Port Arthur is very strongly torti-
fled. supposed to be well provisioned ana I
defended by 10000 soldiers and loOoo s9il. r..
a ia the hQTbOT. Int
Russians expect it will be able to WITH
stand the impending siege unth the arr
val OF a relieving force. O.. ~.
II Was officially reported from St Peters
burp Yesterday that communication VIII
Port Arthur had been renewed both ol
wire and rail, but how It was done y no NO
evnlained. Ii may be the japanese ar
PERMITTING the removal OF ofnon-eombatant'
rom tbe town before closing in upon y
> Possibly the Japanese force rs not Se
strong enough to advance on the port,
The rapid advance OF the japanese IRON
these two directions so threatens tne toMl
OF New Chwang that the russians m y !.
been compelled practically to abandon u
Thev have removed their artillery an'
stores while their garrison is on the pom
~ leaving. A guard will be left behlnd y
,revent nillaging. The Russian forces y
soutbern Manchuria, with the exception
- Of the Port Arthur garrison, are eNiuesi.h eN,..l
being concentrated on the raiiroao lesui'i
tbroTgh Mukden to Harbin and thence Z
Siberia. Lao Yang, an important pom
south of Mukden, is considered likely !
be the point at which the Russians W. WI
converge and face about to meet the 1apa a
nese. Ii would not be surprising 10 see
general Russian abandonment OF so9Ihel
and central Manchuria ana WllnuLaM ,.''.
- the Russians TO Harbin, where grea
d army might be assembled free from Japan
l. ese Interference, as il is unlikely the pun
c. suit would follow so far from the sea.
n The Russians, though disappointed
the showing thus far take u eoolly a., ~
y show no signs OF wavering' but cohPie
, confidence in final success, 49,, W W. w,
er,ny corrs. apgregating 10000 men. hay
been called out. The Russian loan
I. Sr80OO 900 has been taken by the trenel