The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-18

sci was enraged when he heard of
the capture of Ken mountain, because
from its top both Dalny and Port Ar
thur are visible. He ordered the posi-
ton to be retaken at all costs
On the morning of July 3, a whole
division of Russians advanced against
the Japanese left with bands playing
and banners flying. The division car
ried many machine guns The Rus
slams attacked with great spirit and
fought until they were within three
hundred yards of the Japanese when
fhey were forced to retire with heavy
casualties.
on the next night a. company of
Russians climbed the slopes of Ken
mountain and came close to the per-
manent works which had been erected
at the top of the mountain by the Jap
anese after its capture and but for
meeting with an unexpected obstruc-
ton the Russians would have captured
the works. A desperate fight followed
at close quarters and there were sew
eral fierce bayonet charges before the
Russians were repulsed and driven
down the slope of the mountain.
On the following day the Russians
attacked the whole line of the Jap
anese left and on the same night
made another attempt to capture the
japanese position. Both of these at
tacks were repulsed-
The Russian casualties during the
three days fighting were eight hun
dred and those of the Japanese three
hundred.
BY the middle of July the Japanese
navy had cleared Talien bay of Rus
sian mines and Dalny was made the
depot and base of the Third army.
At the same time the force was in
creased by the arrived of a division
consisting of independent brigades of
the Second reserve infantry.
From July to July 20 there was no
fighting and the time was employed by
the Russians in making semi-permanent
Notifications upon their naturally strong
position, with a line extending across
the peninsula from Swangtaikon, on the
west coast through the Anshu and Ojikei
mountain ranges to LOOtduO mountain, on
the east coast and south to the Tai creek.
On the morning OF July 26 the japanese
advanced and bombarded the Russian po-
sitions on Anshu and Ojikef mountains.
That night the Japanese attack on the
Russian center was repulsed with heavy
losses The next morning the attack was
renewed on Ojikei mountain under cover
of heavy concentrated artillery fire. The
advance of the infantry was enormously
difficult, as the mountain sides were al
most precipitous-
The Russians remained in the trenches
until the last moment and were only
driven out by several bayonet charges.
Many Japanese were wounded. The Jap
anese were struck by loose stones which
were hurled at them by the Russians
above when they We're climbing the slope.
There was also hard fighting on the left
TANKS, where the positions were very diff
ficult to take A body of Russian troops
held on to Laotzu hill long after the rest
of the line had retired The japanese
but during the night the forces escaped.
On the morning of July 2S the Russians
evacuated their positions along the en-
tire line and retired to a new line from
Tal1u mountain on the east coast through
Fenghoan range to point on the west
coast.
The japanese advanced before daylight
on the 30th and surprised the Russian
outposts, who retired leaving their kits.
blankets and rifles piled in their bivouacs.
A short fight followed with the Russian
main position, but the Russians soon re-
fication on the west and center, but held
on to Taku and ShonlIu mountains and
the hills close to the east coast.
The Japanese line was now as close TO
the Russian line of forts as possible ex-
cept the east coast, where Taku and
ShOnku mountain strong strategic points
were held by the Russians.
1t is evident that the Russians only
fought strong rear guard actions during
the two months they have been holding
the positions, dectding to wait until they
could inf1tct more serious losses on the
JAPANESE and hen to- retire in good or
der to their next natural position; - =.
sacrifice his men by holding these posi-
lions, though they are strong ones.g7 and
thanked by a superior force.
The Japanese successes We're purchased
dearly, but they We're wonderful, consid-
series of natural fortresses almost i'm
The Russian losses were held at about
15Oo, while those of the japanese were
close to 5,ODO
1t is evident from their positions that
the japanese have shown great skill in
locating trenches and in placing guns.
The concentrated artillery fire of the
Japanese was splendidly effective in si-
lencing the Russian guns while the in
fantry with machine and mountain guns
were enabled to climb almost impossible
heights and to engage the Russians hand
to hand.
1t is impossible to understand General
StoesselS determination to retake Ken
mountain, as the effort cost him 800 men
and as he could not have held the place
if he had captured it, as it could easily
be outfanked.
In advancing the japanese right has
moved 20 miles, while the left has moved
only u miles, to its present position in
front of Port Arthur.