New-York tribune., 1904-09-13
STORIES OF THE BATTLE.
Karopatkins Plon-His Strong De-
fences Courage.

General Kurokis Headquarters, Lao
Yang, Sept. s Delayed).-The battle of Lao
Yang was a magnificent victory. of which the
Japanese have great reasons to be proud al
though they were unable to realize their hopes
of another Sedan.
The execution of a campaign by the Japanese
on such vast scale against an army probably
their superior in numbers and possessing moro
modern guns of greater calibre and range than
theirs, established behind fortihcations OF great
completeness and unprecedented extent, and
directed by skilful commanders excites the
highest admiration of military critics. It is un-
questioned that at Liao-Yang General Kuropat-
kin expected to turn the tide Of against
the japanese
1t would now appear that the fighting of the
lost few weeks since the failure of the Russian
movement to the south, was not expected to be
decisive, but was series of preliminary opera
tions conducted for the purpose of harassing
the japanese and gaining time for the crucial
struggle The foreign military observers with
The Japanese army find convincing evidences
that General Kuroratkin planned to defeat the
japanese armies in detail. and then to dispatch
a powerful column TO the south for the relief of
Port Arthur. and they are Of the opinion that
with the thirteen divisions at his command
General Kuropatkin could have accomplished
this had the quality Of his officers and soldiers
equalled that of the japanese.
Not until the night OF September 8. after Ave
days of continuous battle. did the Russians take
the first steps OF retreat With an almost un-
fordable and wide river at his back. and strong
force Of Japanese opposing him in the rear and
on the flank, General Kuropatkin was able to
withdraw his army without losing gun.
One result OF this battle has been to give the
japanese a much higher opinion OF the abilities
of their antagonist than the exhibitions at the
Yalu River and elsewhere compelled them to
entertain To-day the japanese army is self
possessed. and It has INDUCED in no demonstra-
ton of rejoicing.
The work done by the Russians in preparing
the neighborhood of Liao-Yang to be a theatre
OF battle is of incredible magnitude IN addi-
ton 10 the extensive Notifications the south
side of the Tai-Tse River there were three lines
proaches OF the railroad, which in themselves
constituted formidable battle arena
The fighting was carried right up TO 'he rail-
road line, but notwithstanding the fact that the
japanese shelled the last trains which left Lao
Yang on the way to Moukden. II was impos-
sible for them to intercept any OF the Russian
guard.
The area north of the river which was fought
over by the contending armies presents ter
rible picture OF the results Of war. The fields
are strewn with hundreds OF lines Of trenches.
and, marking the successive stages OF retreat,
parties are still bringing in Japanese bodies.
Graves of Russian soldiers can be seen at every
turn. some dug by comrades and others by the
japanese. On one hillside is q group OF two
hundred three hundred graves. marked ~
rough sticks. Many bodies remain undiscovered
in the high grain. and the odor or decomposition
fills the air. Flocks OF crows hover about and
hundreds OF Chinese dogs roam the field
The portion OF the railroad in the possession
of the japanese remains almost intact. The
woodwork OF the railroad bridge was burned
and a small section OF the framework destroyed.
but none OF the piers, and the bridge could be
made fit for temporary in few days.
The station building remains standing. Only
few houses In the Russian settlement outside OF
the city wall, which forms g. considerable viii
lage, were burned
The Chinese have hung japanese flags over
their houses. Most Of the Chinese shops and all
of the Russian buildings were thoroughly looted
on the departure of the army Both Russians
and Chinese took part in the iooting.
London. Sept 13-In a dispatch to THE
Daily Telegraph" the correspondent Of that
paper in the field with General Kurod says
heights beyond the Tai-Tse River. AT An
Ping extensive trenches had been dug on the
Gins overlooking the river opposite ana a2ove
anese batteries sent the enemy flying. l was
amazed 10 see officers leading the way in this
headlong flight across the hill and down into the
valley behind The officers were easily dietin-
guishable in the forefront Of the crowd OF fugi-
tives.
The correspondent describes the fierce fighting
for possession OF a hill at Hei-Ying-Tai about
fifteen miles northeast OF Liao-Yang, Inc key OF
the Russian position. on whose capture depended
the success of General Kurod's flank move
ment. and the terrible punishment the Japanese
sustained in retaining II. After the capture
there double night attack the japanese
trying TO capture battery that had annoyed
them during the day. and the Russians seeking
TO recapture Hei-Ying-TaL
Neither desperate venture succeeded The
Russians were repeatedly near gaining the sum
init, but were swept away each time by jap
anese bayonets and bullets. On the other side,
the Japanese attack on the Russian battery was
defeated by electrical devices the Russians had
erranged, giving them the exact position Of the
assaulting forces. The brave Japanese were
moved down in swarths in front OF the Russian
guns, battalion being practically annihilated.
Visiting the hillside afterward II was almost
impossible 10 avoid stepping into pools Of blood.
The field was Uttered with broken weapons, and
the grimmest of all these were hundreds or
broken or twisted bayonets.
TOOTTNG IN TT4O-Y4NG,