Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-02
SUNDAYS FIGHT ON YAuU.
The japanese Clearly Demonstrated
Superiority Over Russians.

ST. PETERSBURG, May 2, 436 p.m.-At
2:30 this afternoon the Associated Press was
informed that beyond the fact Of the retreat
OF the Russians before the overwhelming
superiority of the Japanese on the Yalu
river, no details have been received since
the report of Gen. Sassulitch, commander Of
the I'd Siberian army corps, yesterday of the
retirement from Kulen-Cheng to Antung.
1t is quite possible tEat the loss on both
sides In the weeks fighting may reach the
figures given by the japanese, as the re-
serves we're not brought up to support the
Russian position at Kulien-Cheng, where
the fighting was the heaviest.
Russians Lost Key to the River.
The Russians made a special effort to hold
as long as possible the heights Of Cho-San,
on an island opposite Kulien-Cheng, whence
their guns commanded considerable
stretch Of river to the south. but japanese
battery on hill above Wiju dominated the
position, which the Russians eventually
were forced to relinQuish, thus losing the
key to the river.
The desperate character Of the struggle
there may have been due to the necessity
for gaining time for the withdrawal of the
Russian detachments above and below.
General Sassulitch was in command of the
entire force on the Yalu, which extended
serve supports fifteen miles back. The whole,
according to the best information obtain
able did not exceed II 600 men. What was
the actual force engaged Is not known at
present, though probably 1t was not more
than 5000 men, IL 1t was so large.
Capture Of Guns Unconfrmed.
No confirmation has yet been received OF
the reported capture of twenty-eight Rus
sian quick-fring guns, or of the wounding
of General Sassulitch and General Kash-
talinsky, the latter in command of the third
division, East Siberian troops, at the Yalu
river, or the burning of Antung It is con-
frmed that village of matched huts was
set on fire by q shell.
The statement that the Russians have
fallen back so far as -Wang-Cheng is
declared to be untrue. The advance has re-
tired, and will continue to retire before the
main army Of the enemy, according to the
Russian program, but it will keep In con-
slant touch with the enemy, and skirmish-
ing of a more or less serious character is
expected as General Kurok advances.
This is considered absolutely necessary in
order to always know exactly where the
main army of the enemy is.
Opinion of General Staff.
The general staff believes General Kuro-
krs forward march on Feng-Wang-Cheng
will be accompanied by landings at Tatung-
Kau, at the head Of Korea bay, and not far
from the mouth of the Yalu river, and other
places along the coast as Tar as Taku-
Shang, under the protection of warships.
These troops can keep in touch with Gen
eral Kuroki's left wing. 1t might also De
easier to get UP a portion of the guns from
places down the coast than drag them all
up the mountains toward Toitin Pass. from
the Yalu. The japanese are expected 10 Try
to turn the Russian position at Feng- " ahs-
Cheng. 49,, q,
AT the army headquarters here there Is
not the slightest evidence that the Rus
slams consider they have sustained re-
verse. The crossing of the 1alu by the
enemy was taken as matter of course ana
as part of the program.