The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-09
Japs at LiaO Yang ResoIutGIy Preferred Death to
 Surrender.
ONE PARTY DRIVEN BACK AT POINg*s@ THE SWORD Ground ,t< so ThlckIy Strewn With coy Q That They Were TrOd-
 Over By Their On
 rushing Comrades.

St. Petersburg, September S.-A Russian graphic description of the fighting at Iiao Yang, says:
 "Only the Russian soldiers traditional splendid qualities enabled them to sup port the terrible conditions of which the lack of sleep was the most unbearable. The Japanese availed themselves to the utmost of rain and darkness, and did not cease fighting, their night attacks testing Russian endurance severely. The Jap anese suffered terribly but made light of their losses. They continually drafted fresh reserves into the ranks to replace the worn-out men.
 Indeed, the numerical superiority of the Japanese is astounding. and incom- prehensible, for after losing enough men at Port Arthur and elsewhere to form a perfect army their effective strength ap- pears only to increase, and they still are concentrating fresh bodies of troops on the Liao river.
 Was a Perfect Hell.
 "The battlefield was perfect hell. Gen eral Stakelberg was wounded. but despis- ing death, he remained immovable at his post throughout the day, regardless of the rain of shot around him. Several of ficers of his staff were killed or wounded. In the evening General Stakelberg inform ed General Kuropatkin that he could hold the position or take the offensive if necessary.
 ...t11 . 4o.r the slaughter of two Japanese battalions which were pursued through the Chinese corn and grain to Saitsea and surround ed by the Russians. They resolutely re- fused to accept quarter, preferring death.
 Tn another part of the field the Ja- panese shelled and stormed by assault one of the Russian trenches, only to find too late that 1t had been abandoned by the Russians and occupied by their com rades. They fell on the prostrate bodies and flooded them with tears.
 Tn one case party of Japanese of ficers found body of their men retiring in disorder. and drove them back to the battlefield at the point of the sword.
 Died Rather Than Surrender.
 'The Russian frontier guards died at their posts, refusing to surrender It was the anniversary of the creation of their
 
 previous night. They lost a large pro- portion of their officers.
 At many points the combatants stoned each other.
 "Of late the Russians have learned to mask their batteries more effectually, and thus have gained a sensible advantage over the Japanese. The Russians worship their guns, and to quote General Kuropat- kin's admonition, Soldiers, die for your guns as you would for your flag.
 ''The pits which the Russians had dug in the Chinese corn and the grass were filled with Japanese corpses which were trodden over by their comrades. The ground was so thiclkly strewn with bodies In one fight that the Japanese raised a white flag and sought permission to bury their dead, but this was refused. The air became polluted with the stench.
 "The Russian evacuation of the forts and entrenchments were carried out with out loss. The troops crossed the river on pontoon and railway bridges in perfect or Ger and safety. burning the bridges after them.
 ''Liao Yang is enveloped in flames, and clouds of smoke from the confagration are visible as far as Yentai.
 "The country side Is swarming with Chinese fugitives."