Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-08-30
GREAT FURY.
Fighting Around Lao
Yang Most Strenuous.
Russians Retreat and laps Re
sumo Great Battle.
The Cars Troops in New Position
Await Attack.

st. Petersburg. Aug. 3O.-1.59 a. NJ.
Even late tonight. the greatest un-
certainty prevails regarding the actuai
situation at Lao Yang. There is in
tense anxiety for definite ROWS from
the front, but even the authorities are
frankly ignorant as to whether or not
the long expected decisive action will
be fought at Lao Yang or farther
north.
III is possible that Il great battle is
even now proceeding. and there are
, many indications that such is the case.
III this is so the fate Of this years
campaign may be settled within As
hours. At the same time opinion is
almost equally divided. many believing
that Gen. kuropatkin will not make
a determined stand and that the Jap
anese will crack the shell only to find
that the bird has flown
One of the Russian corresDondeuts
OIL The Associated Press says that the
nShtlng so far has been confined
wholly to rear guard actions. The
russian force is now concentrated in
series of exceedingly strong posi-
ions around Lao Yang. but the whole
Withdrawal was in accordance with
the prearranGed plan.
1t Is crthin that the armies are now
III close touch. The japanese are ad-
vancing in great force along both Of
the roads converging on Lao Yang,
but the cruisial question, whether it is
the main Russian army that is con-
centrated thaere to receive them. or
merely strong screen, has not been
answered. up to this date.
Much depends on the weather. It is
possible that the recent rains NAV
have made Gen. Kuropatkin's with
drawal impossible. even if he desired
to withdraw, or that further down.
pour may disarrange tho plans of both
sides; bat the latest indications that
the weather and the roads are i'm
proving should force rise of the cur
tain within a hours.
Lao Yang, Aug. 29-The Russian
army has effected it's retirement with
transports and artillery to Lao Yang
and is now in position awaiting the ad-
vancing Japanese.
The progress of the latter has been
rapid mad determined, sparirE of no
sacrifice.
In the attack on the Siaolandzy posi-
ton one Japanese battalion lost all its
officers. The retirement of the Russian
transport of four corps Sunday evening.
across the plain, while the artillery and
troops in the rear held off the japanese
afforded a magnificent spectacle All
along the lines there was an incessant
roar Of batteries, the Russians working
their guns with great cColness mad not
retiring until the transport was in safe
ty.
Gen. Rontkowsty was among the
killed.
The Japanese artillery resumed the
battle at 6 o'clock Monday morning the
point of pressure again being the Rus
sian south front. The Japanese infan-
try is now advancing to the attack, the
regiments dcployed in open order.
Liao Yang Aug. 29.-The Russian
forces have been disappointed by an
ether unexpected Withdrawal. The
whole eastern division aud the troops
on the knshanshIn position have been
ordered to fall back to positions nearer
Lao Yang just as the soldiers were ex-
pecting another advance.
The explanation is given that the
Tenth corps. especially Gen. Herschel- |
manns division on the extreme left |
was confronted by 81 greatly superior |
force of japanese. Though the Rus
slams fought bravely and held all their |
positions they lost an immense num- |
Der Of officers. |
Most probably the retirement from |
the Anshanshan position arose from |
the same reason for the whole noun !
tain division. as well as the eastern |
troops retired apparently not from the !
pressure of the Japanese but for stratc- ,
gic reasons.
The rains had made n thick and bind |
ing mud which almost paralyzed wagon |
traffic and made the movement of the |
guns even more difficult.
Though the Japanese witnessed the |
slow retirement Of the eastern divi-
zion, they made no attempt to follow
Continued on page 2.)