New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-11
RUSSIANS DRIVEN BACK.
Il Sir Hours Engagement at Sin
Yen-The Fight at Samaja.

ST. Petersburg. June 10.-The japanese took
su-Yen on June 5. driving out the Russians.
The japanese appear 10 be advancing on Hal
Cheng. News OF the advance and the lighting
which preceded the capture Of the town was re-
ceived to-day from General Kuropatlin in a
dispa1ch dated jane 8. The report also gave
details Of the encounter at samaja and the
bombardment Of the Liao-Tung coast on June =.
The message follows:
On June the japanese continued slowly their
march toward Siu-Yen by the Taku-Shan and
Feng- Wang-Cheng roads Their advance guard
cid not approach nearer than five miles south
ard east Of Siu-Nen.
on the morning Of June a japanese in
fantry brigade, Jwo mountain batteries and FIVE
squadr0us OF cavalry marched against Siu-Yen
About II O'Clock the japanese appeared before
the town on the south side, but were checked by
very successful fire from our batteries.
japanese infantry then began advancing
against the town from the east by the Feng-
Wang Cheng road, and came in contact with
the Cossacks holding the pass After two
hours fight the Cossacks were Obliged TO retire
and our artillery opened fire along the pass
not allowing the japanese 10 establish them
selves.
AT this moment a japanese mountain battery
arrived and took a position 10 the south. but
after firing few rounds was silenced by. our
battery. a second japanese battery did not
succeed IN getting into action, but was COM
PEELED TO evacuate its position under the fire Of
our guns
In the course Of the fight Ranking move
ment by several battalions Of Japanese infantry
was observed northeast OF Stu Yen threatening
line Of retreat Consequently our Cossacks
gradually withdrew five miles from Siu-fen,
keeping Up their fire from battery on dense
column OF the enemy at a range Of 600 yards.
The fire slackened about in the afternoon.
Among our losses were Cheremissineff. chief
Of Cossacks; Cornet Komarovsh and Lieuten-
ant Colonel Possokholn. To al appearances
the Cossacks We're engaged with troops OF the
In the AFFAIR on June at wafang-K ao We
had one riieman wounded, but the japanese
sustained considerable losses. According 10 the
testimony Of residents they had forty killed or
wounded
Details OF the affair al Samaja follow:
An outpost company on the I-Nang road was
attacked by the enemy June 4 at g a. m 4
detachment OF chasseurs was sent as a rein,
forcement- More japanese then appeared, ana
one battalion with a mounted battery took
Position before Samaja.
The chasseurs Al hrst pressed the japanese
inhicting losses and taking rifles and equipment
from the killed, but the advance was checked
by very severe fire.
Reinforcements now Joined the enemy. bring
Ing Up their strength 10 a brigade Of infantry
two batteries nf artillery and three sQuadrons
OF cavalry. Taereupon the commander Of our
detachment ordered retreat toward Fen
Chow-Ling Pass. The detachment withdrew
slowly and in good order holding successive
positions.
our wounded included Captain Makharoff and
Lieutenant ROnJtsk Both officers, however,
remained in the ranks. About one hundred
men were killed or wounded The enemy suf-
fered severely Announcements taken from the
Japanese dead show that they belonged 10 the
Twelfth Division.
The commander Of our detachment compli-
ments the calm courage OF our troops, and re-
ports that the conduct OF the Red Cross com
psny above all praise
The japanese boubardrnent on June Of the
coast between Seniuchen and Kai-Ping caused
no loss OF life or material. although a considera-
bic number Of shells WAS fired. one man doing
hospital duty was slightly wounded. and two
wagons were damaged. All WAS quiet on the
coast this morning but several japanese ships
were cruising in the offng
Whether the advance to Siu-Yen constitutes
forward movement in force, military authorities
here do not pretend 10 know. Its character de-
Dends largely upon whether General KUroh has
the number Of troops with which reports credit
him. II he has. il is considered possible that
the Japanese may attempt to push across the
peninsula and establish a base AT New
chwang
The direct road 10 New-Chwang passes south
OF Hai-Cheug Such a movement on the part Of
General Kprod might precipitate serious en-
gagemeut Ia the aeighborhood Of Hai-Cheng. If
General KuroPatkin considered the time ripe to
contest the advance seriously but IL is also
pointed our that the japanese movements TO
samaja and Siu-Yen may be either feints
merely continuation Of effort 10 distract
the Russian attention from Port Arthur.