New-York tribune., 1904-05-30

fore all Of the artillery under General Uchiyama
opened On Nan-shan. a detachment seized Kin
Chow castle. and then the entire infantry force
gradually moved forward
A SHARP ARTILLERY DUEL
The gunners on the fortified heights were not
slow IN giving smart response to the japanese
attack, and soon vigorous fire and counter fire
was in progress. TO which the big guns of the
japanese squadron lent noisy chime At
O'Clock the atmosphere had cleared sufficiently
for the naval Tnarl1smen 10 work effectively. For
three hours the sheping from bay and shore and
the replies from the forts continued without in
terruption and then the Russian fire abated
The cessation Of the firing the mill
signal for a forward movement of the troops
below and the attacking batteries changed their
positions 20 get better ranges. At II O'Clock
zone varying from 800 to $500 yards separated
the Russian lines and the rest OF the Gay
spent by the assailing forces in crossing the fire.
swept zone.
A Russian gunboat in Talien-wan Bay opened
noon. and continued firing for five hours.
RUSSIAN LANDING REPULsED.
Five Russian steamers Qaunches) attempted
70 land their crews near Hung-Tu-Ai. but the
Third Division stopped them In the mean time
four heavy guns at Tafang-Shan found the
range OF the Third Division and kept shelling
il until o'clock in the evening. The artillery
%
reach these guns. but failed account Of the
darkness.
In the main attaci, the japanese artillery
continued sheIling Nan-Shan, seeking TO de-
stroy entanglements and otherwise clear the
way OF the infantry, but every time the infantry
advanced the terrific Russian fire drove them
back
In the mean time, the Russians had under
cover of the TWO field batteries previously with
drawn from Nan-Shan. reinforced their right
with fresh infantry. whose fire enhladed con-
siderable part Of the entire japanese line.
oKUs AMMUNITION FAILS.
The situation Of General Okus forces was at
this time very critical. for at the wavering Of
the line. under the reinforcement of the Russian
infantry came the reports from the japanese
batteries that the ammunition almost ex-
hausted.
General Oku reports that he knew he could
not hope to continue the battle much longer, and
therefore decided TO make assault in force
regardless Of casualties.
The officers then exhorted their men. the ar
tnery opened fire with the remaining amnuni-
tion ard the First Division courageously as
saulted the Russian centre only TO be beaten
back. During this time the Fourth Regiment of
ARTILLERY had been pounding>the Russian left
Suddenly the Japanese squadron began pouring
shells into the Russian left, the noise Of its guns
was succeeded by the onslaught of the Fourth
Division on the demoralzed left wing OF the
defenders and the victory was won.
The beaten forces. badly shattered. retreated
toward Port Arthur. exploding the Tafang-shan
magazines as they receded A detachment of
japanese infantry pursued the retreating Rus
slams far into the night
General Oku estimates that the force Of the
enemy consisted of one line division. two bat
teries of field artillery. some fortress artillery
and marines, and he telegraphs his opinion that
the Russians intended to check the japanese ad-
vance at Nan-Shan.
Besides the big guns. a miscellaneous assort-
ment Of Russian property was captured.
General Oku concludes his report by heartily
thanking the navy for its cooperation. The
japanese captured number Of Russian officers
and men.
4 DESpER 4TE DFFENCE