The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-18
BEATEN BACK
!
Russian Forces May Be
Pressed Across The
Hun River.
BIGLIST OF DEAD

and Kuropatlxin is Fighting Dog
gedlly SO as 20 Spare the Russian
Amy From An Utter Rout-Losses
Sustained at Lao Yang Have Been
Eclipsed and it is Estimated That
Over $4,000 Russians Have Been
Killed or Wounded-The Fighting
Has Ragged With Great Fury and
There Have Been Unparalleled Ex-
aInpIcs of Heroism and Bravery.
Gloom Continues in st. Petersburg.
There is stiIl an utter lack Of Off
cial news in the Russian capital from
the scene of operations in Manchuria
and the feeling of depression and gloom
which has prevailed there is still mani
fest. 1t, however, has been somewhat
lessened by hint that favorable news
had been received from the eastern di-
vision of the Russian army. In view
of the sensational nature OF this news,
however, the people were advised 70
await official confirmation before ac-
cepting it fully. All later reports of the
fighting bear out the earlier state
ments regarding the terribly heavy
losses incurred i'm the six days during
which the battle has ragged.
ISSUE STILL IN THE BALANCE
st. Petersburg, Oct. 16, a. m.-The
latest reports from the front brings the
story of the great battle up to Satu--
day morning, when the fighting a..
Shakhe was renewed with unabated
vigor. The Russians are holding their
positions at Shakhe and apparently
neither they nor the Japanese are abe
to advance. ALL accounts agree that the
battle of Liao Yang is already over
shadowed in fierceness and the number
of casualties. 1t is now the sixth day or
desperate fighting and the issue is still
in the balance.
The feeling in st. Petersburg is one
Of extreme gloom and depression. The
lack of Official news, the undoubted
checking of General Kuropatkin's ag-
gressive move and the enormous Rus
sian losses m men and guns compared
with the optimistic reports from To-
kio, all combine to prepare the public
for anything short Of a total rout of
the Russians. Nevertheless, the reports
Of the newspaper correspondents a.
the front while admitting the heavy
losses of the Russian troops and their
retreat beyond Shakhe river describe
the soldiers as fighting with undimin-
ished ardor One despatch even hints at
extremely encouraging news from the
eastern flank but counsel patience
and official confirmation before accept
ing it as true.
There is a noteworthy absence of
bitterness against General Kuropatkir
and the belief is prevalent that he viii.
assume the offensive. A majority of
the people are inclined to regard him
as victim of circumstances and all
admire the skillful manner in which he
again removed his forces as soon as he
realized the danger of pressing the ad-
vance. The report in order to cover
the retreat finds widespread credenoe.
RUSSIAN LOSSES 100000
Toxic, October 15.-S d. m. AS a re-
suit of the oloody battle of October
18th, the Russians left two thousand
dead on the field which they lost. Field
MarShal Oyama estimates the Russian
losses at over thirty thousand
The fighting continued all along the
entire line today and the end is not
near.
1t seems to be impossible for the
isuoSidhS 10 TdiIy, anu lnSy PROBABLY
will be pressed back across the Hun
river.
KUROPATKIN IN RETREAT.
Toxic, October 15.-S p. m. General
kuropatkin's southern advance has
been beaten back and his army is in
retreat. He is, however, fighting dog
gedly. SO as to spare the Russian army
from an utter rout.
Field Marshal Oyama's triumphant
troops have driven the Russians north
to line along the Sha (Sakhe) river
suit and probably will infiict further
$500 DEAD LEFT ON THE FIELD.
Toxic, October 16.-9 a. m. The latest
advices are that the Russians left 1900
dead in front of General Kurokis army
alone. The Russian losses there are
estimated at 10000 men.
HEAVY FIGHTING CONTINUES.
ing continued yesterday. The reports
from the field last night indicate that
all three japanese armies made dis
tinct gains. General Oku captured ten
guns, making his record for the battle
Bensihu continues. The report does
not mention the situation affecting the
isolated Russian column.
FIERCE STRUGGLE STILL GOES
ON.
Mukden. October 15-A Russian