The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02

iday is the anniversary of the birth of
larmy expects a general advance upon
its positions around Lao Yang. Every
body is keyed up for the long awaited
moment and the soldiers face today's
probable events with confidence.
From early morning until noon yes
lterday in Lao Yang could be heard the
dull rumble of distant guns. Then a
Hull of four hours ensued when, sudden
Fly, firing reopened to the southwest
Heavier and nearer than before, and
continued with but little intermission
until darkness fell.
Every man is tonight sleeping at his
post and dawn may bring a day men,
lorable in history.
IBATTLE OF LIAO YANG IN PROG
RESS.
Lao Yang, August 3O.-A Russian
correspondent of the Associated Press
supplies the following:
The historical m has arrived
and the battle of Lao Yang is in prog
ress. 1t was not 6 o'clock this morning
when the first gun was fired, but soon
afterwards hundreds of cannon were
Numbering along our southern and
eastern fronts.
1.-The centre of our position is locat-
ed near the famous tower of Lao Yang
labout seven miles to the southeast. The
fighting there was Of a most desperate
character, but is now going on much
nearer at the TANKS.
THE kissing of the shells is dis
tinctly audible and from the city it is
|easly to see the shells bursting.
Heavy CUR were brought into ac-
ton by both sides today and their dull
iroar was discernible above the sharp
Ter defamation of field and mountain
iguns. The Russians are using ordnance.
(which is in position in the inner ring
of the Lao Yang forts.
THE noisy Chinese population has
suddenly become quiet. The main
street of Lilac Yang, always the scene
Iof the busiest traffic and usually re-
sounding with thousands Of shrill voices
from sunrise to sunset, is now as silent
las If it were night.
distant battle from the house tops and
watch towers or are wandering gloomily
lin the streets.
w are asking ourselves if the tide
lof battle is going to swamp the city
what is to become of the house and
lotner property.
IINCEssANT SHOWER OF sHRAP-
MEL.
Liao Yang. August 800 a. m. From
3 o'clock this morning up to 9 o'clock
There has been an incessant shower OF
Ishrapnel. The heaviest cannonading
lis coming from the southeast where the
Japanese evidently have numerous
gums. Deadly shells are bursting every
where, their white smoke being dis
ltinctly t~raceable. The japanese are
searching the UP country side with
their fire, selecting certain squares OF
TERRITORY on which for a few moments
lthey mass a hail of shot and shell from
Jail their guns. They then pass to an
lother square. thus working the whole
field, with mathematical precision, from
fright TO left. In. this way the entire
Russian front has been systematically
searched in the first four hours OF the
~lcannonading. Then commenced tht
general japanese advance along the
whole line
AT this hour. 10 a. m. the Japanese
lartillery fire has somewhat slackened
but their infantry is steadily pushing
forward.
The Russians have been holding theil
Iground CALAMITY and their losses arr
Ismall, considering the terrible natur:
lof the Japanese fire
JAPANESE CLOSE TO RUSSIAN
ADVANCE GUARD.
St. Petersburg, August 30.-A dispatch
from General Sakharoff dated from
Lilac Yang at 10 a m. today says:
The main japanese attack is being
directed against the Russian centrs
land right, where the Russia losses have
been the heaviest The japanese posted
numerous artillery within range OF al
1.-THE Russian positions during the night
Ia hot fire was opened at 5 a. m, and
iby 9 o'clock the japanese Were clos:
Ito the Russian positions.
THE Japanese shrapnel fire inflicted
considerable losses on our corps at sew.
ieral points. Lieutenant Pokatiioff
commanding. "a battery OF the Sixth ST.
lberian brigade was killed.
The japanese are delivering an OBJ