Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-08
WAR N EAST YEAR OLD
Summary of Events in the
Russo-Japan Contest.
VAL0R ON BOTH SIDES
SOME OF THE BLoODIEST CON-
FLICTS IN MILITARY HISTORY.
More Cannon Employed in Hun River
Fighting Than in ANY Battle
Recorded-Losses

The war between Russia and Japan Is q
year old today.
The remoter origin of this war, which, 1t
is carefully estimated by the New York
World, costs the combatants s2,500,0o0
a day now, was japanese hatred
for the loss Of the fruits of her victories in
the Chinese war; above all. that Port Ar
thur should have been handed over to Rus
STA. This hatred could not be restrained
from open war when Russia refused to give
assurances that size would not reach out her
hand to seize Korea Already she had men,
acing concessions on the Yalu river.
That the Russians were unprepared when
the japanese first struck there can be no
doubt. But easily can there be two views
as to the treachery of the first attack. 1t is
certain that diplomatic relations between
japan and Russia were broken off on Feb
| ruary SO. 1904. On the morning of Feb
ruary shots were exchanged between the
Russian gunboat Kovetz and a Japanese
squadron conveying troop transports out
side the harbor of Chemu1po, Korea.
First Shot of the War.
Which fred the first shot? History will
tell.
Very late that same night, February g.
Admiral Togo's torpedo squadron attacked
the Russian fleet at Port Arthur, command
ed by the unlucky Admiral Stack.
Next day, February 9, all other nations
learned that the war was on. That morn
ing the Japanese squadron attacked the
cruisers Variag and the Korfetz outside the
harbor of Chemulpo, from which the Rus
slams bravely issued. After an hours fight
ing the Variag was sunk and the Korietz
blown up. Near the adjacent Islands the
Russian transport Sungarf was sunk. too.
That morning, also. Togo's fleet of about
fifteen vessels. continuing Its attack. shelled
at long range the Russian feet at Port
Arthur, damaging the Poltava, the Askold,
the Diana and the Novik. a brave, swift
cruiser that fought long and met destruc-
ton with equal glory.
Soon the japanese fleet had its share of
misfortunes. The battle ship Hatsuse
struck mine on May Is and sank: 100 of
her men We're lost On the same day the
armored cruiser Nisshin rammed and sank
the cruiser Yoshino, 90 of her crew losing
their lives.
General Kuroki commanded the first army
which had landed in Korea. Proceeding to
the northeast, Kuroki, after many Skin
mishes was at Wifi toward the end of
April. General Mistchenko's raiding Cos
sacks had been driven from Chongfu across
the Yalu river. Korea was free temporari-
ly from Russians.
Forced Passage of Yalu.
On Sunday, May l. Kurok's army forced
the passage of the Yalu at two points,
drove General Sassuletch and his 1900 men
from a strongly intrenched position, pressed
on to Kiulienchang, and a few days later
| d
without a battle
An army under General Oku had landed
May at Pitsewu. on the Liaotung penin-
sula. 1t moved westward. seized ktnchow
Heights on May 49, and ten days later
stormed Nanshan Hill. which was strongly
fortified and fiercely defended.
On May 80 General Oku's army occupied
Dalny. where. soon. General Nogfs army
arrived. General Modulus army had landed
at Takushan May 20, and On June 8, after
a sharp engagement. he captured Ltuyen.
on the Haicheng road. General Oku adj
vanced to meet General Stakelberg. who
had been sent from Liaoyang in the at
tempt to relieve Port Arthur. Between
them three days battle ragged, June 14-16
between Wafantien lRed Tile TavernD and
Wafangtu Cred Tile WalD, otherwise
Telissu. fifteen miles due north of Puleuten.
The Russians were disastrously defeated.
They lost at least $500 In killed. wounded
or missing, including two generals and
four colonies. The Japanese, who captured
fourteen machine guns, many arms and
much ammunition lost 2000 men. ALI three
Japanese armies. acting IN conjunction
gradually moved north. fighting hard and
often, capturing Taschichiao and other
strategic points, defeating and killing Gen.
Count Keller at Motienling, until, on AL
gust 2, General Kuropatkin retired from
Matching to AnShanchan. the southern end
of highly fortified position extending be-
yond Liaoyang. WEAKNESS, heavy rains
and intense heat checked operations for a
while.
The Siege of Port Arthur.
On July 30 General Nogi began the siege
proper of Port Arthur, which for despera-
ton of attack and gallantry of defense
must live always in military history.
Nogfs first general assault on Port Ar
thur began on August 10 and lasted five
days. The Japanese took 174-Metre Hill, a
foothold for operations the west. and
some of the outer defenses on Kekwan
HILL In these operations the Japanese lost
14.O00 The second general assault was on
September 20 and few Japanese reached
the top Of the coveted 2O3-Metre HiH, but
were driven off two days later after gall
liant defense. Then sapping and mining
operations succeeded frontal attacks. while
Stoessel tried to prevent the work by al
most nightly sorties.
Moving on Liaoyang.
The rain ceasing. Field Marshal Oya-
ma. In supreme command, ordered q move
ment of the three armies against Haoyaug
on August %. The Japanese strength was
estimated at 2480o0 and TOO guns. In AVE-