The San Francisco call., 1904-07-20

I
Fusan, Monday, July 1s.-More Russian
troops were engaged in yesterdays 8
battle at Molten Pass than in pre-
vious engagements. There were prob
ably double the number Of those who
took part in the fight at the Yalu River,
while opposed to them were only one
brigade and one battalion of the Jap
anese forces. The Russian loss is esti-
mated at 1000. The burial Of the dead
continues. The Japanese casualties ag-
gregated 800.
The engagement has conspicuously
demonstrated the wonderful efficiency
of the japanese infantry. They proved
incomparably the better marksmen
and greater in initiative, and they out
fought and outgeneraled the Russians
on every point.
NEWCHWANG, July 1e.-Hard fight
ing has been going on for several days
in the neighbOrhood of Tongschu, eight
miles east Of Tatchekiao. 1t is report
ed that the Russian loss in last nights
engagement was 2100 and the Japanese
loss 1900. The Japanese also have been
in active contact with the Russians
east Of Haicheng. where there have
been many minor actions.
All along General Kuropatkin's front
and flank the Japanese are moving into
position, but the general attack is be-
ing postponed until supplies and REIN
forcements come to the front. Prog
ress along the muddy roads and noun
tain passes is slow.
JAPANESE OUTNUMBERED.
TOXIC, July 19.-The Russian at
tempt to retake Molten Pass on July
II was not productive Of a general en-
gagement, nor was 1t marked by serious
losses. There were, however, a series
of desperate small encounters. The
japanese guarded their positions about
the pass with a company on outpost.
These men resisted stubbornly the Rus
sian advance and awaited the arrival
of reinforcements. When these arrived
they joined in the general attack. The
outpost detachment stationed at
Hsiamatang held its position all day
long. 1t was largely outnumbered by
the enemy and every commissioned and
non-commissioned officer was wounded,
as were a majority of the men.
The attack on Molten Pass began at
o'clock in the morning. The Rus
slams engaged the outposts and the
Japanese at once went into action.
The japanese artillery, posted on the
heights to the northwest of Wufing-
kuan, opened on the enemy and the
japanese outposts retired gradually
The Russian cavalry galloped forward
and deployed along the ridge to the
west of the pass. Two hours later at
O'Clock, the entire Japanese line
was engaged. The Russians were con-
stantly receiving rs4nforcements and
finally they had four regiments in ac-
ton. They outnumbered the Jap
anese.
PURSUE RETREATING FOE.
The Russians made vain endeavors
to envelop the japanese left. At this
point the japanese occupied the sum-
NIT of Molten Mountain and they re-
sisted desperately the efforts of the
enemy to dislodge them.
When the Russians finally retreated
they we're pursued by the entire Jap
anese line. Seven battalions of the
enemy made a halt on the heights of
Tawan and with four guns checked
the japanese pursuit.
One company of Japanese soldiers,
accommodating from Hsiukaillng, en-
countered and engaged three bat
talions of Russians. 1t fought until
reinforced by four more companies,
when the Russians were repulsed.
The Japanese seized and held the
heights east of Makemenza.
The attack on Hsiamatang began at
o'clock in the morning. A battalion
of Russian infantry and a squadron
Of cavalry assaulted the Japanese
company on the outpost there. The
Russians received reinforcements un-
til they were a regiment strong. The
Japanese resisted doggedly. All their
officers were either killed or wounded,
but still the men fought on. The Jap
anese finally received reinforcements
and the Russians retired at o'clock
in the afternoon.
JAPANESE LOSS is SMALL.
Eight companies Of Russian infantry
and a body Of cavalry attacked the
Japanese position at Chiaton. The Jap
anese there were reinforced by a COM
pany of infantry and a company of
engineers, and the Russians were re-
pulsed.
In his report on the fighting General
Kuroh says that the Russians number
ed about two divisions, and were form
ed of parts of the Third and Sixth ST.
berian Sharpshooters, the Ninth and
another infantry division.
The Japanese lost four officers and
thirty-nine men killed and fifteen Off
GERS and PAL men wounded. The cas-
ualties all occurred in the Second Di-
vision. General Kuroh mentions, but