New-York tribune., 1904-09-01
COMMUNICATIONS OPEN.
Lack of Ne7cs, HoceUer, Alarms the
Russian Capital.

St Petersburg Sept. with the knowledge
that the Russian and japanese armies about
Liao-yang are locked in death struggle, the
tension in StPetersburs tonight is strained 10
the utmost. 1t is believed here that the fight
cannot stop short Of the crushing defeat of one
side or the other.
All reports so far are favorable to the Rus
SLAMS though the suspension of all news for
many hours has been exceedingly trying. and
has given rise TO several rumors temperng the
earlier enthusiasm.
1t is stated officially. however that the report
that the railway and the telegraph have been
cut north Of Liao-Yang is untrue. member OF
the general staff said at midnight
1 can assure you that UP 70 this hour COM
municatcn with Liao-Ydng has not been inter
rupted. General KurOpatkin has taken particu-
lar precautions against any attempt to cut the
railway While 1t is always possible that "A
small raiding party might slip through the Rus
sian patrols, or that hired Chinese bandits
might cut the telegraph it is a fair supposition.
in view of all the facts. that this has not been
done.
1t is positively stated. however. that the En-
peror this afternoon received a telegram from
General Kuropatkin. but the contents cannot be
learned.
The general staff does not doubt that the
losses yesterday were heavy on both sides. but
says that in the absence of direct information
the figures mentioned are largely guesswork.
The highest military authorities here consider
that the most critical stage of the battle has not
yet been reached. and they believe that the fight
may continue for some time before either side
Acknowledges defeat.
ESTIMATE OF LOSSES 10000.
IT is thought here that, in view of the numbers
engaged, the desperation OF the assaults and the
length of the line about seven miles. the losses
in the two days fighting cannot fall short of
10000 on each side.
1t is estimated by the general staff that the
Japanese armies engaged number seventeen d.
visions of 1900 men each. or. allowing for in
eficents. about 10000 men. Each division has
thirty-six guns and there are two independent
artillery brigades Of 100 guns each, making a
total of about 500 guns. The estimates of Rus
sian correspondents range at from COO to 1000
guns side
In the preliminary lighting of Monday. the
Russians captured two hundred prisoners who
have already arrived at Harbin, and there is a
persistent report that they captured over forty
japanese guns yesterday.
General Kuropatkin's effective forces are
riousiy estimated at from 10000 TO 100000.
ENDURANCE OF THE TROOPS.
One of the surprising phases of the situation
IS the endurance of the men. They have been
fighting desperately for two days. after more or
less severe fighting under unfavoraole conditions
every day since August "A.
The japanese reported to be using NOR
tars TO drop shells III the Russian positions.
These are probably the high angle fire howitzers
which were reported in action earlier in the
week
Il is plain, however, that the Japanese are
longer enjoying the superiority In artillery
which stood them in such good stead in the
earlier months of the war. 1t was then hill
lighting and the Japanese mountain batteries.
,rl which the Russians We're deficient told with
deadly effect Now the contest is in a compare
lively open country. where both the Russian
field guns and the Russian cavalry can come
into more effective use.