New-York tribune., 1904-09-02
DESPERATE FIGHTING TO CAPTURE uAO-YANG

Yang to-day.
st. Petersburg. Sept. IA telegram from The
Associated Press correspondent at Moukden.
filed at 9:2I p. m. says that the train service
between Moukden and Liao-Yang has been in
terrupted but the dispatch does not mention
whether telegraphic communications are open
The following statement made by the War
Office at 10 o'clock Thursday night:
General Kurokrs army crossed IN force to
the right bank OF the Tai-Tse River, and it
therefore became necessary for the Russians to
be in a position to repel blow in this direction.
In view Of this development in the operations,
General KurOpatkin decided to abandon his po-
sitions on the left bank and 10 concentrate his
whole army on the other side of the river. This
position is the strongest both I'm character and In
site. The great issue will be finally decided
there.
BY withdrawing to this position the Russian
army avoids the danger of being divided by the
river and enjoys the advantage of compactness.
General KurOpatkin's move therefore Is not 10
be considered retreat. but rather the
carrying out Of we'll defined idea
The withdrawal of the Russians to the right
bank of the Tai-Tse involved the abandonment
of Liao-Yang. which is situated on the left bank.
The japanese took advantage of this to occupy
the city, but the sternest part of the fighting is
still before them. unless General Kuropatkn de-
cdes at the last hour again TO fall back to the
northward. II is more than likely, however,
that he will decide TO fight to finish. The
cards are all IN his favor. u is believed here.
row that he has the japanese divided by the
river thus erectuaIly turning the tables upon
his foe
The determined pursuit by the japanese of
the Russian outposts when General Kuropatkin
gave the first order to withdraw was probably
due to their anxiety to keep the Russians south
OF Iiao-Yans until General Kuroki should be
able to strike from the northeast. General Ku-
ropatkin, however. saw the trap and cIeverly
avoided it.
According to a dispatch from Liao-Yang. Cen
eral KuroEi made his tirst attempt to cross the
Tai-Tse River late in the evening of August so.
under cover of heavy bombardment of the
extreme Russian left The Japanese artillery.
which had been firing uninterruptedly for four
teen hours that day. ceased about o'clock, and
then suddenly reopened about IL to conceal ku-
rokrs preparations for crossing the river These
preparations necessitated the establishment of
a pontoon bridge. as the river was not fordable
lower than Sakankankwantun. and the pontoons
must have been hoated down stream.
The efforts of the Japanese to cross the river
on August so were not successful. and General
Kuroki. therefore. ordered a portion of his army
to ford it at Standardization. General Kuro-
patkin was unable to prevent the passage Of
the river owing to the distance from Idao-Yang,
about twenty miles, but for the same reason the
japanese were unable to bring the forces which
gained the right bank Immediately into action.
Kuropatkin heard of the passage of the Tai
Use at Sakankankwantun after 6 o'clock on the
evening of August 81 and Immediately gave
orders for his men to fall back on the outer
positions at Liao-Yang. This move is explained
by the desire to collect strong force with which
to repel fanEing movement from the north
east.
The Japanese repeated the attempt to throw
pontoons across the Tai-Tse near Liao-Yang on
the night of August 81 again under cover of
a bombardment and this attempt is believed to
have been successful. Severe lighting may.
therefore he expected Immediately northeast of
the city.
General Sakharoff in dispatch TO the gem
eral staff dated to-day. yesterdays fight
ing, says
"a portion of General Kurokis force has
crossed to the right bank of the Tai-Tse River
at Standardization. \ division of infantry,
with cavalry and artillery crossed first and
covered the advance of another detachment
After fording the river the Japanese advanced
toward I.iao-Yang in two bodies. due west
and the other by way of the Yon-Tai mines.
There was lighting between the two armies
all day long. especially between O'Clock and
midnight after which the fire slackened As on
the previous day the fighting ended with COM
pIete success for us The Russians maintained
all their positions, General KOndratenko's de-
tachment especially distinguishing itself
During the last four hours of the day the
japanese fired an immense number of projecties
and the Russian positions were searched by the
Japanese shrapneI The Russians maintained a
stubborn defence the whole day. Our troops all
day long were exposed TO a hail of shrapnel. but
defended the positions intrusted TO them with
desperate bravery.
After ereparin= for the assault With artillery