Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-08-04
RUSSIAN ARMY
HARD PRESSED.
JAPANESE ENVELoPlNG IT ON
THREE SIDES.

kuroki Trying TO Break Through on
Line Of Retreat, While Oku and Nod
~ Pound Right and Center--Rus-
slams Driven by Every Japanese Ad-
vanee--count Keller kllled--Fleht-
ing at Port Arthur--The vladiVostok
Squadron Returns.
The situation in which the Russian army
In Manchuria now finds itself is extremely
critical. The japanese armies have been
hammering away on right, center and left
and az each blow the Russians have been
obliged to give ground.
The first movement against the extreme
Russian right early last week resulted in
dislodging the heavy Russian defending
force, estimated at five divisions. with 100
guns, from its strongly entrenched posi-
tion south of Tatchekiao. The Japanese
under Gen. 0ku, after a two days fight,
compelled the enemy to withdraw, hurry
ing Them along By a night attack. The
Russian right was withdrawn to Haieheng
on the railroad, an important point. The
japanese quickly followed up the advan-
tage, pressing the retreat closely, but at
last report the Russians held Haicheng. A
Japanese detachment occupied New
ehwang, city of mercantile Importance
that the Russian withdrawal uncovered.
It's port viii serve as a new japanese base
at the head of the gulf.
Gen. Nodzu's japanese army, which
landed at Takushan on Korea Bay some
time ago, has moved to the northwestward,
connecting with Oku TO the south and
with Kuroki 20 the north. so that the
inner Russian line, in the form OF an arc,
whose right rests on the railroad at Hal
asNa - HaF q mi lee
cast Of Lisoyang, some so miles to the
northeastward, is faced by the three Japa-
nese armies under Oku, Nodzu and Kuroki,
the last reaching toward the northward.
The japanese plan now seems to be for
Kuroki to swing around and break through
on the Russian left, reaching the railroad
before the center and right, closely pressed
by Ogu and Nodzu, can hurry out OF the
trap and escape TO Mukden, further north.
That this plan has proceeded success
fully so far, the results Of the lighting
this week indicate. Gen. Kuroki has ad-
ministered a severe defeat TO the Russian
forces which defended the Russian east
flank at Lao Yang, winning separate
actions at Nushulikzu and Nangse Pass.
These two places are 26 miles apart, but
the two actions were fought al the same
time The Russians held strong positions.
The Thermometer registered over 40 degrees
and the soldiers suffered cruelty from heat
exhaustion.
Al Yushulikzu the Russians had two
divisions OF infantry and some artillery,
and they resisted the japanese assaults
vigorous y.
Both attacks were begun at dawn sun
day. July 81. At lusf ulikzu the japanese
carried the Russian right and LEFT wings,
but on account of the strength Of the main
Russian position they were una bic to press
the attack. The two armies rested Sunday
night, facing each other.
At dawn on Monday the japanese re-
sumed the attack and by noon they had
dislodged the enemy and driven him four
miles to Laoholing.
AT Yangse Pass also the japanese were
successful.
Their artillery opened on the enemy and
the infantry moved forward from Maku-
meza. The attack on this place was
made al one O'Clock on sunday ana BY
the japanese were in possession
of majority OF the Russian positions, al
though the enemy had resisted with deter
mination. The Japanese force passed the
night in battle formation and another
assault was made on Monday at dawn.
By eight o'clock Monday morning Hangse
pass and the surrounding heights had
been captured.
The Russian force at Yangse pass was
estimated at two and one half divisions
and four batteries Of artillery. The enemy
retreated toward Tanghoyen.
General Kuroki reports the capture lot
some field guns but the number is not
given.
The Russians admit their retirement 1
from these positions but Gen. kouro- Z
patkin says that it was merely with /
irawal 10 the main position. .
II is probable the japanese have 10O,OQO I
men in Manehuria, while kouropatkln.s I
concentrated forces number about l2O,U0O. Z
At Yangse pass. Gen. Count Keller, who I
the Russian left wing, was
killed Aug. 1st by fragment from aJapa- /
nese shell.
Toxic reports heavy losses by the Japa- I
nese in recent lighting before Port Arthur, 1
he results of W hich are not known. II is I
stated that the siege is being pressed hard. /
The Russian squadron has returned 10
after its Pacific raid, having 4
captured or sunk several merchant vessels 4