Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1911-10-30

which these northern troops have re
ceived recently under European in
structors. Ten thousand strong, they
crossed into the rebel territory dur
ing the night and attacked the en-
tlenched revolutionary forces at day
break Friday.
There were about 5000 Of the rebel
troops. These were behind well plan
/ ned fortifcations and had little to
fear from the attacks Of the troops.
It was the guns of Admiral Sah's fleet
which finally decided the day against
them.
sah's eight vessels approached the
rebel positions soon after the ad'
vance of the imperial troops began
but did not fire any shots. After a
little while the eight ships silently
retired as IL they had decided not to
participate in the engagement. Later
they returned, this time ready for
business.
The range was short and the gun
ners mercilessly poured in their shells
on the rear of the rebel positions.
The slaughter was appalling. The
rebel batteries replied Intellectually
and were finally silenced. The gun
boats drew still nearer and the revo-
lutionists were compelled to retire
The loyalists, whose loss had been
slight, advanced on the abandoned
trenches in splendid order under coy
or OF the batteries, capturing 10 field
guns and taking 80 republican pris-
Uncrs.
But the rebels were not yet salts
fed. They returned to the fray in
the afternoon bringing reinforo e.
ments, fresh field guns and Maxims
They advanced at doublequick, chees
ing like eager school boys. They at
tackled the loyalists vigorously but the
fight was one-sided.
The trained imperial soldiers raked
the armed rabble in front of the IL
with their rapid fire guns and modern
rifles. The rebels held their ground
gamely but were ultimately compelled
to withdraw. They saved their field
guns and carried off their wounded.
Admiral Sab and his ships did not /
IN the afternoon engage
nent
During the retreat through Han
kow many stray shots found their
way into the foreign concessions. |
One Chinaman was killed in the |
French concession and the American
Keplei, was seriously wounded.
The Red Cross hospitals here are
packed today with the wounded SOL
Tiers and arrangements for extra ac-
are being made. The
foreign superintendent of telegraphs
Is leaving, as he has been unable to
reach an agreement with the republi
cans.
The members of the foreign crew of
the steamer Kwaeilee, which the reb-
els commandered, were ordered off
the vessel on their refusal to take
her to Chang Sha. General Lii Yuen
Heng, in command of the rebel army
offers to spare the Manchus in King
Chow Flu if they surrender.
A visit to Siaoakan after the fight
ing revealed the fact that the losses
of the loyalists for. weeks past have
been underestimate. A correspond
dent saw three carloads of dead. The
correspondent also saw the minister
of war, General Yin Tchang and
learned that $4,000 northern troops
We're camped close to Hankow. 9th
ers are scattered along the railway,
which is closely guarded.
Four hundred imperial soldiers, re-
cruited from Ho Nan province, were
found after the battle to have pur-
chased strips of white cloth suitable
for arm bandages SIMILAR to those
worn by rebels to show their allie
glance. to the republican cause. These
soldiers, even including some who
We're seriously wounded, were hur-
riedly sent away. their officers ap-
parently fearing a spread of the dis
affection.
During the fighting, Chinese gun
boat fired from the shelter of Jan
anese gunboat until the latter NOV
ed away, leaving the Chinese warship
exposed.
New Republic Formed