The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-08-31
Big BATTLE
IS NOW ON
A Quarter Million of Japs
Attack Kuropatkin.
RUSSIA HOLDS HER OWN
Most Important Fight of the War
Victory for Japan Seals
Fate of Kuropatkin.
RUSSIA HOLDS HER OWN

LONDON, Aug 3l.-Adviccs from
Tokyo say that with 10000 men Gen
erals Kuroki, Oku and Nodzu are
pressing their attack on I.iaoyang
where General Kuropatlin is strongly
fortified with an army of 10000 men.
The battle that has developed and
still continues is the greatest of the
war, and upon its result practically
depends the fate of the Russian arms.
At > o'clock in the morning the
mikado's troops, moved by the knowl-
edge that ii was the anniversary of
the mikado's BIRTH opened their as.
sault with a rain of shrapnel which
swept the entire Russian front Under
cover of the heaviest kind of cannon.
aiding, so fierce that the hills appeared
abaze and the individual detonations
of the guns could not be distinguished,
the infantry advanced.
In four hours they were close upon
the Russian line. On the west it was
reported that the Russian cavalry had
checked the forward movement. but on
the south, where the fighting was
tercesr, they came into hand to hand
conflict with the Russians. and bayonet
charges resulted The Russian losses
have been heavy.
From an early hour the wounded
have been pouring in steady stream
into the city.
1t is estimated that more than half
n million men are engaged in the
battle.
A late dispatch from Liaoyang says
that Russian correspondent has sup
piled the following:
The historical moment has arrived
and the battle Of Liaoyang is in prog
reSs.
1T was not o'clock i'm the morning
when the first gun was fired, but soon
afterward hundreds of cannon were
laundering along our southern and |
eastern fronts.
The center of our position is locat- |
ed near the famous tower of Liaoyang. |
about seven miles to the southeast. |
The fighting there is of the most des-
peratc character
'The kissing of the shells is distinct
ly audible. and from the city II is easy |
TO see the shells bursting.
Heavy guns were brought into ac-
tion by both sides, and their dull roar
was discernible above the sharper de-
tonation of field and mountain guns.
"The Russians are using big ord
nance, which is in position in the inner
ring of the Liaoyang forts.
THE noisy Chinese population has
suddenly become quiet Thei main
street of Liaoyang. always the scene
of the busiest traffic and usually re-
sounding with thousands of shrill
voices from sunrise to sunset, is now
as silent as if II were night.
THE inhabitants are watching the
distant battle from the housetops and
watch towers or are wandering gloom.
lily in the streets.
I'VE are asking ourselves if the tide
of battle is going to swamp the city
will it be destroyed by the Japanese?"
dispatch from Mukden says that
In the stubbornly fought battle which
mas been in progress near Liaoyang
all attempts of the Japanese TO turn
the Russian flank have been repulsed.
1t is said at Mukden that the Japa-
nese lost over ten guns, but details
had not yet been received.
The Japanese have 1,200 guns near
Liaoyang.
A severe rifle and artillery duel pre-
ceded the Japanese advance. The Japa-
lese left column, the principal
strength Of which was in infantry. at
tackled an eminence north of Tahsikou {
1t dawn. The Russian artillery was ]
n semipermanent Notifications north
If Tatientsu and northwest of Kao-
'engsu and in strength was superior {
% that of the japanese. The Russian I
ire dwindled at times, but the Japa- {
lese were unable to silence the en- ,
,my's guns. The Russian infantry !,
vas REINFORCED and pressed against !
he left wing of the japanese left col
INN. The japanese troops were dan
exposed, and the advance of
he left column retired. In the mean |
ime the japanese center had pierced [
he Russian line, completely dividing |
t, but both the Russian wings held Y
heir positions firmly