Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-03
ON THE YALU.
Outline of Operations During the Past
Week.

st. Petersburg, May IS p. M.-The
Associated Press has obtained from the
general staff an outline of the opera
tons on the Yalu river during the past
week. The Russian force including the
reserves, was composed of Gen. Kash-
talinsky'S rifle division, Gen. Mistchen-
kos CoSsack Outposts and Il brigade of
| artillery. the whole under General Sas-
sulitch. knowledge of geography is cs-
sential to clearly understand
The Russian lines We're at Kulien-
Cheng (or Turenchen), opposite Win
and Antung, both on the Feng- Wang
Cheng road. A mile north of Kultien-
Cheng lies the village of Potietinsky.
near a tributary of the LitZavena, five
miles up which is Chin-Gow. On the
opposite bank of the tributary is the
village of Litzavena.
Opposite POtientinSky stands HouSan,
with a dominating height. Still high
er, on the right of the Yalu is the VIII
lage of Ambkhe, at the confluence of
the Apike. The whole course of the
Yalu between Ambikhe and Antung is
divided by islands, the largest Soma!in-
da facing Kuiien-C heng. Another lies
between HOusan and SindagOw. The
japanese forces, the staff believes, ap-
promated a hundred thousand men of
which four divisions, thirteen battal-
| ions and fifty six guns We're in action.
| The japanese prepared for crossing the
! river by posting all their available guns
| (of which the Russians say the Japan
| csc had five times more than they
| along the line facing Kulien- Cheng and
| warshirs AZ gus. This array Of artil-
| lery eventually made Kulien-Cheng
| untable. Under cover of powerful bat
| teries north of SindiagOw the Japanese
crossed to Housan, occupying the
| height. AS the latter position would
nave enabled them to direct a raking
| fire against the Russians 1T Kulen-
, Cheng, Gen. Sassultch ordered it to
| be retaken Friday. This was done. but
| on Saturday the japanese. under cover
Of a battery, reoccupied it. the defen-
| ders falling back across the LitZavena
| and continuing the fight with the Jap
| anese who were attempting to flank
| them from Chin-GoW. The Russian
| force at Antung and kulien-C heng had
meanwhile retreated to its second line,
a few miles westward. The whole Rus
sian force engaged, yesterday, formed a
semi-circle, the Horns of which We're
being gradually drawn in preparatory
to retiring to position further west.
| This was the situation when the last
| Russian official reports We're sent.
| \ member of the staff informed the
| correspondent of the Associated Press
that the issue ultimately turned prob
ably upon whether the order to with
draw was given at the proper time. A
slightly delay at a critical moment
might have enabled the enemy's vast
" superior artillery to concentrate on
the Russian guns. killing horses and
gunners and compelling the abandon
met of the guns. But, if so, the Rus
sian plans will not be changed by ac-
cidental losses. Gen. SassuIitch would
| continue his retreat. contrasting stub
bornly n possible Japanese advance
| along the Feng- Wang Cheng road,
which runs through hilly country,
crowned with heights and exactly suit
cd to Russian tactics.