The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-29
Dear Bought Victory
Brings Shadow of
Death in Homes.
JOY ALLOYED WITH GRIEF
No More Desperate Fighting
in Modern Warfare Than
Marked Struggle.

OFF THE COAST OF MANCHURIA,
by wireless telegraphy TO Wei Hal Wei.
May 29.-All Japan is mourning today
because of the news of the fearful
losses which resulted in the capture of
the Nanshon Hill and which have
clOuded to some extent the glory of the
sweeping victory of Baron Oku's army
Hardly a family but has lost a loved
one. and the feeling OF satisfaction
which should follow the announcement
of the taking Of so strong d position as
that which was held by the Russian
army at Nanshan. Kin-ChOw. and
Talienwan is swallowed up in the reali-
zation of the fact that 5000 loyal SOL
diers III unnamed graves or the sum-
NIT OF the position they charged.
Fighting Most Desperate.
There has not been in modern war
fare any more desperate fighting than
marked the Japanese advance begun In
the earlier morning hours of Friday.
All arrangements had been made by
General Oku and his staff. After look
ing over the ground 1t was decided that
only a general assault would sweep the
Russians from their positions which
were so necessary for the final success
or the movement against Port Arthur.
Not since the troops under General
Shafter- swept up the hills which COM
manded the city of Santiago on that
memorable morning OF July. 1885. has
there been such a so;tl-stirring sight
as caught the eyes OF the correspond
ents throughout Friday. Long before
the first strokes OF dawn silhouetted
across the sky the japanese column was
being made ready for the forward move
ment.
Rice cooked two days ago was hastily
parfaken Of Here and there could be
seen the slight smudge OF smoke which
marked the presence OF European
correspondent and his faithful inter
prefer endcavoring under difficulties &c
secure a cup Of coffee with which to
wash down the damaged rations Sc
cured at a considerable cost south OF
the Yalu.
Artillery Duel Begun.
Suddenly at the left of the japanese
position there was heard the dull roar
of the passage Of charge of shrapnei
the first fired in a fight which was to
last all day and eventually mark the
end Of Russian control OF the approaches
20 Port Arthur.
The first shot was followed by a steady
ed ali along the slim line marked out by
the japanese slCirmishers. and which
had been posted during the night. The
range secured was absolute and every
shell fred from the japanese siege guns
landed within a few yards of the mark
selected
The Russian artillery was little be-
hind the Japanese I'm making it's pres
ence felt. but II was not so well served.
Many OF the first shots went wild. but
there was fair percentage which fell
close enough to the massed Japanese in
fantry TO slash great holes in the lines
which lay awaiting the order TO ad-
vance.
A close examination Of the Russian
position developed the fact that Il con-
sisted Of an almost permanent chain of
earthworks extending across the penin-
sula. These defenses were strongest
along Nanshan. which marked the apex
of the Russian defense.
Pits and Barbed Wire.
Extended across the hill was a series
OF pits each guarded by several strands
of barbed wire entwined about the trees
so that ii would effectually interpose
barrier against any advancing force.
In many respects IT resembled the ia
nous trocha which was built 10 hold
back the United States troops I'm their
general assault on Santiago de Cuba.
A scouting column which had been
operating for three days, had uncover
ed this system OF defense. The Japa-
nese. however had not anticipated It
and there was general lack OF wire
cutting implements. This. however. had
no evil effect on the preliminary ad-
vance. as the Japanese troops. who were
made up OF detachments selected from
the guards and the Tokyo volunteers.
swarmed across the plain and began the
upward rush with very little loss.
Where the wires were attached TO the
trees and the stronger foliage the ven
turesone Japanese inserted the points Of
their intrenchment knives and wrenehed
the staples from theiI fasttnings.
Engineers Cut Wires.
Behind the first faia. Iine came a sec
ond. made up for the most part Of vol
unteers from the engineering corps. who
quickly twisted the Russian wire de-
lenses into bundles and deposited Il
where IL would do little harm.
With a column Of japanese infantry
intrenched al the bottom of the ap-
rroech 10 the first range OF hills and
large number Of half guns pouring hun
ireds of shells against the Russian forti-
ficEtions there came tile lul which usu-
ally Barks the approach OF the storm.
So fierce was the Japanese shell fire
that in less than four hours most OF the
Russia heavy artillery had been ST.
fenced The accuracy OF the japanese
fire was well nigh unprecedented and
the range was 50 well taken that the
gun crews working the Russian field
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