Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-10-18

the force was increased by the arrival
of division, consisting Of Independent
brigades of the Second Reserve IN
fantry.
From July to July rs there was no
fighting, and the time was employer
by the Russians In making se1nl-per-
manent Qualifications upon their nat-
urally strong position, with line eN-
tending across the peninsula from
SWangtaikou on the west coast thfu
the Anshu and Ojikei mountain ranges
to Lootduo mountain, on the east coast
and south to the Tai creek.
On the morning of July rs the Jap
anese advanced and bombarded the
Russian positions on Anshu and OJlkei
mountains.
That night the Japanese attack on
the Russian center was repulsed win
heavy losses. The next morning the
attack was renewed on Ojikei noun
tain, under heavy and concentrated
artillery fire. The advance Of the IN
fantry was enormously difficult as the
mountain sides were almost preclpl-
tous. The Russians remained In the
trenches until the last moment ana
were only driven out by several bay
onet charges. Many Japanese were
wounded The Japanese were struck
by loose stones which were hurled at
them by the Russians above when they
were climbing the slope.
There was also hard fighting ON the
left flank where the positions were
very difficult to take. A body OF RUS
sian troops held on to Laotzu hill long
after the rest of the line had retired.
The japanese made a desperate effort
to outflank them, but during the night
tho forces escaped.
On the morning of July % the Rus
SLAMS evacuated their positions along
the entire line and retreated to a new
line from Taku mountain on the east
coast thru Fenghoan range to point
on the west coast.
The Japanese advanced before day
light on the thirteenth and surprised
the Russian outposts, who retired leav-
ing their kits, blankets and rifles piled
in their bivouacks.
A short fight followed with the Rus
Sian main position but the Russians
soon retired within the line Of perma-
nent Notifications on the west and CEN
ter, but held onto Taku and Shonka
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 east coast where Taku
and Shonku mountains, strong strate-
gio points, were held by the Russians,
1t 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 inflict more serious losses
on the Japanese and then to retire IN
good order to their next natural posi-
lions.
General Stoessel is evidently unwill-
ing to sacrifice his men by holding
these positions, tho they are strong
ones, and he is also evidently afraid OF
being outflanked by superior force.
Win at Heavy Cost.
The Japanese successes were pur-
chased dearly, but they were wonder
full. considering the tremendous DIFF
ficulties the Japanese encountered In
country which is a series OF natural
fortresses almost impregnable.
The Russian losses were held at
about 1900, while those of the Japanese
were close to 5000.
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
silencing the Russian guns. while the
infantry with machine and mountain
guns were enabled to climb almost inn
possible heights and to engage the Rus
SLAMS hand to hand.
1t is impossible to understand Cen
eral Stoessel's determination to retake
Ken mountain, as the effort cost him
900 men, and as he could not have held
the place If he had captured 1T, since
1t could be easily outflanked.
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.