The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-02
Russians Fired the Town and
Fled Across the River.
japanese Are Prosecuting a
Vigorous Pursuit.
SHELL R. R. STATION
With Cannon Captured From
the Fleeing Foe.
Japanese Estimate Their Re-
cent Losses at 10000.
FIGHTING CONTINUES
Between Japanese and Russian
Rear Guard.
Cen. Oku Made a Successful
Night Assault.
FIGHTING CONTINUES
Between Japanese and Russian
Rear Guard.
Cen. 0ku Made a Successful
Night Assault.

Beyond establishing the fact that
Kuropatkin has withdrawn the main
portion of his forces to the north bank
of the Taitse river and that the ac-
ton is still in progress today's dis
patches do not give a clear idea of
the situation at Lao Yang. Accept
ing st. Petersburg advices at their
face value it being seen that the Rus
sian commander effected a partial re-
tirement, placing the river between
himself and the main body of the
Japanese and at the same time estab-
fishing a position that will enable him
to oppose the force under General
Kuroki which succeeded in crossing
the river and is now attacking the
Russian left The same dispatches say
that the position Kuropatkin now oc-
cupies is the one he prepared and for
titled and where he has all along
planned to make his second stand in
stead of directly in and around Lao
Yang with the river directly at his
back. as has been believed.
On the other hand Toxic dispatches
say that the Russians were closely
pressed and much disorganized in
their retirement across the river The
report from Marshal Oyama that he
was yesterday engaged with the Rus
sian center would indicate that at
least a portion of Kuropatkin's army
is still on the south bank of the river.
- S-
the Japanese have occupied Lao
Yang, Toxic reports that the town is
burning. 1t does not appear that the
Japanese main army has as yet
crossed the Taitse and details of to-
days fighting are entirely lacking.
Oyama reports that his losses from
August % to September 1. were TO-
600. The Russian casualties of Aug
ust 81 and September 1, are given in
the official reports as 5000 killed and
wounded.
Toxic. Sept. 2.-3 p. NIT is reported
here that d confiagration is raging at
Lao Yang.
The Russians began to retreat on the
right center from Lao Yang early
Thursday. They were thrown into
great confusion while attempting TO
cross to the right bank of the Taitse
river The Japanese pursuing them
vigorously. seized a Russian cannon
which they used to shell the Lao Yang
railway station. Field Marshal Oyama's
right attacked a heavy force of Rus
slams in the vicinity of Heiyingtai, II
miles northeast of Lao Yang at eleven
o'clock Thursday. His left began at
dawn today. pressing the Russians
toward Taitsho. 1t is thought that he
will severely punish the Russians.
The japanese casualties in the Lao
Yang engagement have not yet been
ascertained officially. 1t is announced |
that they will not exceed ten thousand. |
The chief of staff of the center Jap |
anese army. General Nodsu, telegraph
ing early this morning, reported that |
the Japanese center was continuing to |
advance today with the object of TAX |
ing a line from Shinchiyen to Lao |
Yang. and effecting a rejunction with |
the japanese left, commanded by Gen |
eral Oku.
Russian Steamer Blown Up.
Toxic. Sept. admiral Hozera, |
commanding the third japanese squad /
ron reports that last Wednesday morn /
ing a number of vessels emerged from /
Port Arthur and engaged in clearing /
away mines. The japanese watched |
their operations from seaward. At
2:25 T. m. a steamer struck a mine |
and was blown up. The disaster oc-
CURED one mile beow Cheng Tung |
Shan and ii was plainly visible. The |
number of lives lost is not known.
japanese Legation Is Told.
London. Sept. 2.-The japanese Ie-
cation has received from Toxic under |
today's date Field Marshal Oyama's |
report of the fighting of Thursday |
1t is practically identical with the |
Associated Press dispatch from Toxic |
timed 10 o'clock this morning and |
specifies number of Russian cannon |
captured and subsequently used to |
lombard Lao Yang station as being |
ten and a half centimeter cannon"
Fall Back on Mukden.
Paris. Sept 2.-The foreign office has |
no confirmation of the reports of the /
japanese occupation of Lao Yang, but /
its advices lead the officials to say it /
is proba BILE that General -Kuropatkin |
decided to carry out his original plan TO /
retreat on Mukden. This plan, 1t is |
added. was temporarily abandoned. as |
Kuropatkin believed that the defenses |
Of Lao Yang would permit him to hold |