The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-01
Russians Could Not Obey and
Slept on Their Arms.
Battle Ragged TIL Midnight
With Frightful Slaughter.
Japanese Force Advancing from
Direction of Mukden.
RUSSIANS RETREATING
Toxic Dispatch Says KurOpat-
kin's Army Is Falling Back.

ST. Petersburg, Sept. 1.-2:51 P. M
The battle at Lao Yang last night con-
tinued until midnight with frightful
slaughter. The japanese at last sue
| ceeded in getting a column across the
Taitze river, northeast of Lao Yang
and General Kuropatkin gave the order
to fall back on the main works, but ow-
ing to the Japanese pressure this move
ment was not executed. The armiea
slept i'll their positions.
Officials advices this morning, timed
a. m, say the battle had not been
resumed at that hour.
General Kuropatkin's forces, it was
announced from St. Petersburg yester-
day occupied positions forming a semi
circle about Lao Yang, the fianks rest
ing on the Taitze river, which flows
north of Lao Yang, the left flank being
east, and the right flank west of the
city. 1t will therefore be seen that the
dispatch from st. Petersburg announc-
ing that General Kuroki's force was
crossing the Taitse river on pontoons,
would indicate that the japanese have
either turned or are turning the Rus
sian left flank kuroki is understood
to have been on the Russian left flank
A dispatch to the Associated Press
from Lao Yang yesterday evening an
nounced that the Japanese were get
ting round the Russian left flank and
that developments were expected in the
west and northwest. This statement
now appears to be confirmed, for it is
announced from Mukden in a delayed
dispatch that a Japanese force of TO-
900 men is said to be advancing from
the northeast of Mukden. The western
move has not yet developed, according
to the advices to hand, but the an
nouncement probably refers to the Jap
anese force which has been reported to
be moved up the Lao river.
StakeIburg Wounded.
st. Petersburg, Sept. 1.-Gen. Sta
keIburg, in command of the First East
Siberian corps, sustained contusions in
Wednesdays battle on the south front,
but he remained in the fighting line.
May Last Several Days.
Toxic Sept. 1, 1880 a. m.-Reports
received here from Lao Yang do not
anything about the casualties,
which it is presumed are heavy, on
gagged and the nature of the attack
the Japanese are making against
defended positions, the second
Russian line proving stronger than
1t is estimated that Gen.
has 10000 fighting men
in the field. 1t is impossible to fore
cast the duration of the great battle
now going on. 1t may possibly be pro-
longed for several days.
Like Fireworks Display.
Lao Yang, Aug. 81 (delayed).-A
Russian correspondent of the ASsoci-
ated Press sends the following from
the southeast front:
after midday the Japanese con-
centrated the strength of all their
artillery fire against hill No. SO and
the village of Maetum, endeavoring
to break into our left. At the same
time they viciously attacked our west
line to the right of the hill.
Attack followed attack for three
Rot nd ~ IN
the afternoon we repulsed three head
long charges against our line. After
this the Japanese with the strength
of all their batteries opened fire along
the whole southern front, but this at
tack, too, was driven back with what
seemed tremendous success. The roar
Of siege guns, mortar batteries and
mixed volley firing went on until dark
ness set in.
To the north a storm accompanied
by thunder and lightning, broke while
along the front thousands of shells
were bursting constantly. 1t was like
4 magnificent display of fireworks.
First Success of Russians.
st. Petersburg, Sept. Some in
details of Tuesdays battle
are furnished by Russian correspond
ents, from which it appears that two
regiments of Japanese at daybreak at
tempted to capture the batteries of
the Sixth artillery brigade, located on
the extreme flank of the Russian
army ne dLleIlpL was NlSCONGICQ IN
the nick of time.
Some of the Russian troops fought
for SO hours.
The conclusion and the roar of the
guns shook windows at Lao Yang,
though the artillery was six to eight
miles away
Nemirovich Danchenko. the famous
Russian war correspondent, describ-
ing the battle SAYS:
THE enemy drunk with their for
ner successes attacked from three
sides like madmen. When they were
hurled back, fresh troops, of which
hey seemed to have an inexhaustible
supply, were sent forward"
M Danchenko says the combatants
1ad about 500 guns on each side, and
adds: M
"It was our first victory. The enemy
vas beaten back everywhere, many of
1is batteries were destroyed, and in
some cases his infantry was put to
out"
st. Petersburg in Doubt.
St. Petersburg, Sept. IL d. NJ
rhe war Office is unable to confirm
he dispatch from Toxic to the Asso-