The state herald., 1904-09-02
RUSSIAN ADvICEs>
FoREsAADow A GREAT BATTLE
Japanese Armies Closing In.-Have
Captured Many Important
Positions

ST. Petersburg, Aug. 80, 80 a. m.-
certainty prevails regarding the actual
situation at Lao Yang. There Is in
tense anxiety for definite news from
the front, but even the authorities are
practically ignorant as to whether or
not the long-expected battle will be
fought at Lao Yang or further north.
1t is expected that a great battle is
now proceeding and there are many in
dications that such is the case. If this
is true, the fate of this years cam
paign may be settled within forty
eight hours.
At the same time opinion Is almost
equally divided, many believing that
General Kuropatkin will not make a
determined stand and that the Japan
ese will crack the shell only to find
tnat the bird has flown.
One of the Russian correspondents
OF the Associated Press says that the
fighting so far has been confined
wholly to rear guard actions. The
Russian force Is now concentrated in
series of exceedingly strong posi-
tions around Lao Yang. but the whole
withdrawal was in accordance with a
pre-arranged plan.
1t Is certain that the armies are now
in close touch. The Japanese are ad-
vancing in great force along both Of
the roads converglng on Lao Yang
but the crucial question, whether 1t is
the main Russian army that is concen-
trated there to receive them. or mere
iy strong screen, has not been an
swered up to date.
Much depends upon the weather. 1t
Is possible that the recent rains may
have made General Kuropatkin's with
drawal impossible even II he desired
to withdraw, or that further down.
pour may disarrange the plans OF both
sides; but the latest indications that
the weather and the roads are improv-
ing. should force a rise OF the curtain
within twenty-four hours.
General Kuropatkin since yesterday
morning has been drawing up all his
forces from his eastern and southern
fronts toward Lao Yang.
Anping, Tsegow. Liandanshan and
AGshanshan. constituting the main po-
sitions of the outer defense line of
Lao Yang. have been abandoned.
The heaviest fighting occurred on
advanced to the assault again and
again with bayonets. The positions at
Tsegow and Anping were held by the
Tenth European corps.
The attacKs were delivered with IA
natical bravery. The Russians lost
large proportion of officers, ten guns
and from 1900 to 1000 men, but the
Russians'have been generally success
ful in beating of the assaults all along
the long line and the Russians declare
that the order to retire came as sur
prise. just when they were expecting
orders for general advance.
This is considered TO be proof that
General Kuropatkin. finding his main
positions menaced on the flank, and
anticipating difficulties in Withdrawing
owing to the condition of the roads,
which have suddenly been transformed
into mud bogs by the rain. considered
that retreat was imperative. The
retirement from the east front was
greatly impeded by the conversion OF
the Ian river into mountain torrent
ana this probably also accounts for the
failure OF the japanese TO follow up the
retiring Russians.
The Japanese column moving up the
Lao river and threatening General
Kuropatkin from the west is regarded
as being extremely dangerous. and
general Kurok's extreme right seems
also to be working around General
Herschelmann's position at Anping.
and to be making toward Mukden. The
strength OF the enveloping japanese
armies may be judged from the fact
that General Oku alone, who Is coming
from the south. Is officially reported to
have 10000 men.
Whether General Knropatkln In
tends TO accept battle at Lao Yang
may not be known positively for sew
eral days. but the belief several times
Indicated In these dispatches prevails
here that he will withdraw northward,
having found that he Is not strong
enough to cope with the japanese and
realizing that Llao Yang Is made no
longer tenablc ON account of the Japa-
nese threats at his west rear
His retirement undoubtedly Will
cause keen public disappointment. as
II was generally believed that he at
last had sufficient reinforcements to ac-
copt a decisive engagement, aud by the
military critics his retreat is inter
preted to mean "A great prolongation
OF the war.