Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-12
PLANS OF JAPS FAILED
DOUBLE ATTACK TO DRIVE RUS
SLAMS FROM DEFENsES.
Operations of Recent Battle Extended
Over Front of More Than
Fifty Miles.

GEN. kUROkIS HEADQUARTERS, In
the Field Near ,Towan, August 1 delayed
in transmission).-Yester battle con-
sisted Of double attack for the purpose of
driving the Russians from their strong de-
lenses commanding the Yangse pass on the
Liao-Yang road, through the first range of
hills beyond Molten pass and Yushu pass,
on the road to Mukden.
The operations extended over front
more than fifty miles in length Both at
tacks were successful In respect to carrying
local points, but the Japanese plans were
not fulfilled, for the reason that they con-
templated partly surrounding the enemy,
capturing many and possibly capturing the
batteries. The Russians managed to
treat with all their guns except one. They
carried away their dead and wounded and
they left fewer prisoners behind than in
several recent outpost SktrmiSheS.
The Russians had their batteries and in
trenchments in fine strategic positions, and
they showed better generalship than here
tofore. Their artillery fire was accurate
when they had located the japanese posi-
tons. Their infantry in some of the trench
eS made more determined stands, but most
of the contingents fled when the Japanese
were able to reach close quarters, being I'M
nerved evidently by their previous expert
ences with the japanese troops. The Rus
sian batteries left their ammunition and
much Of their equipment on the field, and
one gun which had overturned when they
were galloping down the hill, showing that
the batteries were hard pressed to escape.
Jap Fire Was Accurate.
The Japanese artillery fire was accurate
and the advance of the infantry was cour-
ageous usual. The Japanese plan of
battle was as follows: The main body of
the division occupying the center of the
Japanese line was to move upon Yangse
pass with an infantry attack, crossing the
valley diagonally toward the southwest.
The division occupying the japanese left
was to attack from the SOUTH thanking and
taking the rear of the Russian positions.
The division on the Japanese right, together
with a contingent from the center division,
was to attack Yushu pass. The infantry
advance ON Yang Tzuling began so late
that the japanese were unable to reach the
highest Russian intrenchments befor dark,
owing to the vigorous defenses. Inc AZ
tack was resumed early the next morning
The main body of the Russians had re-
tired during the night, leaving only rear
guard.
During the night of July 30 the japanese
worked repairing the road to enable the
bringing I'D of guns. Scouting parties To-
Gated and prepared positions for the guns
Seven batteries were sent forward a ma
iority of them took possession on range
of hills nearest the valley, while the others
reached the cover of the cornfields below
The left division advanced three brigades
on different roads. These engaged In an
the evening the Russians attempted coun-
ter attack, but they were repulsed, sus-
tanning a heavy loss. One japanese brigade
reached position southwest of Yang
Tzuling at 5 o'clock in the evening, being
practically in the Russian rear, but their
attack was unsuccessful. .
Met Stubborn Resistance.
The center of the division marched from
the northeast took the village of Tiensuun
on the plain and gun position there, but
it met most stubborn resistance on
conical hill north of the pass, where the
Russians were intrenched, and where they
made a successful stand with small force.
The fight at Yushu pass also began at day
light A detachment from the japanese
center division marched thlther through
HenIin At o'clock a general attack was
made on the Russian right.
The Russians lost many and they raised
three Red Cross flags. Under their cover
they carried away their wounded, the Jap
anese ceasing their fire in the meantime. The
Russians were driven from the first lines OF
their defenses and pursued to the second
line. The fighting was renewed this morn
ing august u, and the japanese carried
the positions The artillery battle was
more evenly Matched, and a more impress
sive spectacle than the one preceding the
crossing of the Yalu.
The two armies exchanged fire from the
hilItops across the valley for twelve hours,
with the exception of a two hours cessa-
the results of the fire. Neither side sue
ceeded in slencing any of the batteries of
the other. 1t appeared to be drawn game
The Russians used about thirty guns. Their
position was on the highest liii
southwest Of Towan, facing the road from