The San Francisco call., 1905-03-05
RENNENKAMpFF'S

GENERAL OKU'S HEADQUART-
ERS, FRIDAY, March 3.-Late yester-
day the Japanese occupied the second
line of the Russian rights defenses,
two miles north. Their line was taken
this morning also on the west bank OF
the Hun River, four miles north Of
! Ghangtan. This completely turned the
Russian right flank. The Japanese fire
! demoralized the Russians, who re-
treated in disorder Pursuit was con-
tinued during the night. The Russians
are still retiring and General Okus
army is advancing rapidly.
GENERAL KUROKIS HEAD
QUARTERS, March 4.-Tne Japanese
have gained signal victory beyond
the Hun River. defeating in detail two
divisions of the Russian Sixteenth
Corps, recently arrived from Europe,
with great slaughter and capturing
huge quantities Of ammunition The
Russians still hold their main line Of
defenses.
The Russians, fighting stubbornly be-
tween midnight and daybreak, made
four attacks in heavy force against the
| contingent of Japanese which. gained
their first line in front Of Waitao
Mountain on Thursday night. The Jap
aEese maintained their foothold and
repulsed the Russian attacks, infiicting
heavy losses upon the Russians. The
japanese held the ground two nights
and one day in weather below freezing.
The morale of the Japanese troops is
splendid
While still holding their main line Of
defenses eastward of the railway along
the Shahke River, the Russians are in
position requiring the highest gener
alship in order to fight a battle or re-
treat without heavy loss. One Of their
strongest positions is Wanpo Noun
tain, six miles east of the railway.
and group of hills to the eastward.
The Japanese are to-day bombarding
these strongholds tremendously with
most of their heavy guns. 1t seems i'm
possible that the Russian positions will
1 long withstand such weight of pro-
| jectiles as is being hurled against them.
General Kuropatkin has massed a
great army, his left, apparently believ
| ing that the japanese might success
fully attempt a flanking movement
| from Liaoyang. The main line of de-
| fenses, which it took four months to
perfect, crown the SUBMITS of steep
| hills.
! NEWCHWANG, March Arrivals
| from the Mukden road report that the
Japanese are enveloping the city and
| that it's fall is imminent. A strong
force is moving southeast from Faku-
men. General Nogi is advancing north
along the Lao River.
! The Japanese on Friday cut off a
| Russian division, four sotnias of Co.'S
sacks and twenty-six guns, endeavor-
| ing to regain Mukden. The Russians
were routed and retreated toward Tie
Pass, abandoning their wounded.
| The Japanese raid on Sinmintin drew
reinforcements from the Russian sta
| tions on the Mukden trail to the city,
which is threatened All the outposts
have been recalled to strengthen its
defense. At 10 o'clock this morning
the Russians encountered Japanese
scouts near Laopien, twelve miles from
Mukden. The Russians slowly advanced
| two miles over a scrub covered plain.
They then encountered an increasing
force of Japanese, advancing In the
face of driving dust storm At close
range thirty guns began discharging
| SQTdpuel at Tie ItuoSidus, WnOs DeCOm-
ing demoralized, were ordered to retire
| to Tie Pass.
The Russian retreat. which began at
! o'clock In the afternoon, developed
into rout. The wounded were left on
| the field. The Japanese were not In
sufficient force to envelop the Russians
and a running fight toward the north
followed. The Russians, 1t is reported,
lost five officers and 200 men killed The
! Japanese loss is unknown