The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-09-02
GREAT BATTLE
IS NOW RAGING
RUSSIANS FEAR DISASTER HAS
ovERTAkEN kURoPATkIN's
ARMY.
MAY SETTLE FATE or CAMPAIGN
MANT INDICATIONS THAT GREAT.
EST CONFLICT OF WAR Is
NOW ON.

st. Petersburg, Aug. Slower TWEEN.
ty hours have elapsed since the last
message was received from Liao-yang.
n grave fears are entertained that
disaster has overtaken Gen. Kuropat-
kin's army.
1t is thought that the railroad and
telegraph have been cut above Lao
yang by the Japanese and that the
decisive battle has been fought or now
Is raging.
The latest news from Liao-yang was
dated Aug. 80, 8 a. m, and at that
time the Japanese were reported to be
advancing in battle formation, and
that an artillery duel had begun.
Russians Reported R%etreatIns.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 81, via Eidku-
nen.-The Russian army has COM
menced a retreat from Liao-yang on
Mukden. Since Saturday huge trans
port trains have gone north and col
umns OF men are on the march. Lao
yang lies too low for a successful de-
Tense. All food and stores are being
withdrawn. A considerable action Of
the army has been left in the Lao
yang positions to fight another bat
tie.
Railway Communication Cut.
Shanghai, Aug. 81. - The Russian
strength at Liao-yang is understood to
be about thirteen divisions. 1t is re-
ported that the Japanese have de-
stroyed the railway bridges north of
Liao-yang.
Anxiety at St. Petersburg.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 81. - Even
late last night the greatest uncertain.
ty prevailed regarding the actual sit.
uation at Liao-yang.
There Is intense anxiety for definite
news from the front, but ever the au-
thOrities are frankly ignorant as to
whether or not the long-expected de-
cisive action will be fought at Lao
yang or further north.
1t is possible hat a great battle
even now is proceeding, and there are
many indications that such is the
case. II this is SO, the fate of this
years campaign may be settled.
Within Forty-Eigh Hours.
At the same time, opinion is almost
equally divided. Many believe that
Gen. Kuropatktn will not make a de-
termined stand and that the Japanese
will crack the shell, only to find that
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 Rus
sian force nov is concentrated in a
series Of exceedingly strong positions
around Liao-yang, but the whole with
drawal was in accordance with a pre-
arranged plan.
Japanese Numerous.
1t is certain that the armies are in
closest touch. The Japanese are ad-
vancing in great force along both OF
the roads converging on Liao-yang,
but the crucial question, whether 1t is
the main Russian army that is concen-
trated Their to receive them or mere
ly a 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 Gen. Kuropatkin's with
drawal impossible, even if he desired
to withdraw, or that a further down.
pour may disarranee the plans If both
sides; but the latest indications that
the heather and the roads are improv.
ing should force a rise of the curtain
within twenty-four hours.
Rumor Of = Japanese Repuise.
Chefu, Aug. 31.-According to in
formation from reliable sources, the
Japanese general attack on Port Ar.
thur was repulsed with heavy losses.
They only captured two small forts
situated to the northeast one and a
half miles from town. 1t is believed
that they were forts 10 and II. and
that the Japanese cannot hold them
owing to the dominting fire from the
forts on either side. 1t is also said
that the Japanese have abandoned
their confidence in the immediate cap.
ture of the fortress. 1t is Officially
stated that Gen. Stoessel is making a
heroic stand and that an elaborate
scheme of defense has been perfected
and that the Japanese losses have
| been enormous.
Heavy Loss for Russia.
ST. Petersburg, Aug. 31.-The opera
lions aroud Liao-yang have under
gone a complete change. Owing to