The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-09-04
THE BATTLE OF LAO YANG.

A@ tFhA UT LAAO AMI
One of the greatest battles of mod
ern times is that of Lao Yang, in
which the Japanese have been success
full
In considering this battle. which has
continued for practically weeks time,
1t should be kept in mind that the
forces engaged were about equal in
numbers, so far as the information
goes that the Russians had been in
possession of the position for several
years-ever since they entered Port
Arthur and established themselves on
the Lao Tung peninsula-and there
fore had a plenty of time to prepare
its defenses. Since the beginning of
the war some of the very best enei-
neers in the military service of Rus
STA have been employed at Lao Yang,
the principal Russian base between
Port Arthur and Hardin, in preparing
against the eventualities of war. Thus.
in the fight the Russians were on their
own ground, which they had occupied
long enough to give them time to make
the best defense Of which they were
capable.
Less than a month ago Gen. Kuro-
patkin TELEGRAPH to the Car that
the Russians, having fallen back "to
their main position"-Liao Yang
would be able. to maintain themselves
against an enemy numerically supe-
rior." Since that time both men and
guns have arrived at Lao Yang to
strengthen the Russians. But when the
heavy fighting came about 1t seems
the Russians had to abandon their po-
sition, so carefully prepared, and re-
treat across the river. A Washington
military expert a short while ago ex-
pressed the opinion that an army in
Lao Yang ought to be able to success
fully resist twice its own numbers"
of attackers. But the opinion seems
to have been only an academic one,
since the Russians have been forced
to abandon their 'main position" with
only Hardin, on the Manchurian Dor
all certain that a strong Japanese
force has not got in between LAO
Yang and Hardin and secured possess
sion of the railroad. The dispatches a
| day or two ago reported the movement
OF a Japanese force to the northeast
of Lao Yang and the suspension OF
| communication with Hardin.
That the fighting around Lao Yang
! during the past week has been fierce
and bloody is acknowledged. There has
! probably never been more brilliant and
daring fighting in modern times. on
both sides there have been exhibited
courage and endurance worthy OF the
! highest encomiums; but the fortunes
of war scent TO have been unremit-
| tingly on the side OF the Japanese
Their prowess, exhibited from day ia
day from the crossing of the Yalu 10
the victory of Lao Yang, has won the
admiration of the world.
Now. what will be the effect Of the
! battle of Lao Yang upon the Russian
! policy2 VIII it be regarded as a Water
loo, and will Russia consent TO con-
slider peace proposals. Or will her re.
| VERSES at lltl Mdll' lAHildl mani ndsN
merely steel her heart for continu-
ance of the struggle? She may fall
back on Harbin, mass her troops there
and wait. meanwhile building up her
army by bringing in more men and
more guns from her western territory
| The process OF rebuilding the army
might possibly be somewhat SLOW It
might take a year or more 20 trans
port a sufficient number OF soldiers "a
the Far Fac 90 present a formidable
iront 10 the japanese. but Russia q.
bis and patient She f. willing "a
wait ~ by waiting She can win Mean
while the advantage De- with the Japa.
uese and they are shreVd enough not
10 Jet an advantage so by default